Freight Manager

Location: Colnbrook

Freightserve recruitment are looking for a Freight Manager for a busy well-established niche sector Freight Forwarder based in the Colnbrook, Berkshire area.

We are seeking an experienced, proactive, and highly capable Operations Manager to lead and oversee day-to-day activity within a busy, fast-paced time-critical freight forwarding environment. The ideal candidate must be a hands-on operator with strong operational knowledge, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to deliver excellence under pressure. This position requires a confident decision-maker with extensive experience managing time-sensitive shipments, coordinating complex logistics movements, and motivating a high-performing operations team.

Duties:

- * Oversee and coordinate all aspects of the company’s time-critical freight operations, ensuring ontime performance and service excellence.

* Manage and supervise the daily activities of the operations team, ensuring compliance with company standards, customer SLAs, and industry regulations.

* Act as an escalation point for complex or high priority shipments, ensuring swift and effective resolution.

* Maintain close control of key shipments, from booking through to delivery,including continuous customer communication and issue resolution.

* Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure operational consistency and efficiency.

Team Leadership & Performance

* Lead, mentor, and motivate the operations team, creating a culture of accountability, professionalism, and customer focus.

* Set, monitor, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), implementing corrective actions where necessary to drive continuous improvement.

* Conduct regular performance reviews and ensure appropriate training and development plans are in place.

Customer & Supplier Relations

* Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and subcontractors, ensuring exceptional service delivery.

* Ensure transparent communication with customers throughout the logistics chain, particularly in time-critical and emergency scenarios.

* Support the sales and customer service teams with operational input for quotations and service proposals.

Compliance & Administration

* Ensure full compliance with customs, security, and transport regulations, including DG (Dangerous Goods) and Aviation Security procedures.

* Maintain accurate records and documentation, including ATA Carnets, shipment files, and customs paperwork.

* Manage and document a five year checkable work history for all direct reports in compliance with security vetting requirements.

Required Experience

* Experience in freight forwarding, with at least 3 years in a time-critical or emergency logistics environment.

* Proven hands-on operational capability — must be comfortable personally managing shipments when required.

* Strong supervisory experience with a proven ability to lead, train, and develop a team.

* A five-year checkable work history is essential for security clearance.

* Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills.

* Proficient in logistics management systems, transport management software, and Microsoft Office.

As an agency we are fast becoming the number one Freight specialist in the UK. We have a fast growing reputation with most Freight related companies. Freightserve has been established since 1992 working within the Freight Forwarding and Shipping industry