Road Import Operations Manager
Location: Thames Gateway Area
Salary: £45,000 - £48,000
Fully office based
Our client, a well‑established freight forwarding business, is looking to appoint a Road Import Operations Manager to join their team in the Basildon area.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced freight forwarding professional with a strong background in import operations, specifically European road freight, who can lead a team, manage operational workflows, oversee customs activity, and help drive commercial performance across the department.
About the Role
As Road Import Operations Manager, you will be responsible for leading and developing the Import Operations function, ensuring efficient, compliant, and commercially effective management of European road freight imports.
The successful candidate will oversee day‑to‑day operational workflow, service delivery, financial performance, and cross‑departmental coordination. You will also oversee the offshore Customs Processing Team, ensuring declarations are completed accurately and on time, while maintaining strong communication and performance management across both functions.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Import Operations team, ensuring smooth daily workflow and high service levels
- Oversee trailer arrivals, inbound planning, documentation flow, and coordination with internal departments
- Manage workflow allocation, staffing levels, annual leave, and sickness absence across the team
- Monitor team performance, provide coaching, and support staff development
- Ensure departmental processes and SOPs are followed and updated where required
- Monitor departmental budgets, margins, and cost controls to support profitability
- Ensure accurate invoicing, quote sheets, import spreadsheets, and financial reporting
- Provide regular operational and performance updates to senior management
- Oversee the offshore Customs Processing Team, ensuring accurate and timely declarations across air, sea, and road freight
- Maintain working knowledge of customs procedures, tariff classifications, and duty/VAT principles
- Ensure customs data is accurate and maintained in line with HMRC requirements
- Act as a key point of contact for operational and customs‑related communication
- Liaise with overseas agents, customers, hauliers, and internal teams to coordinate shipments and resolve issues
- Ensure shipment documentation is created, maintained, and stored correctly
- Identify and mitigate operational and customs‑related risks
- Cross‑train and provide cover across the wider department where required
Key Requirements
- Significant experience in import operations within a freight forwarding environment
- Strong background in European road freight imports is essential
- Proven experience leading and managing teams, including workflow allocation, staff development, and performance management
- Strong understanding of import operational workflows, including trailer arrivals, inbound planning, and documentation flow
- High level of commercial awareness, including budgets, margins, and cost control
- Working knowledge of customs procedures, tariff classifications, and duty/VAT principles
- Experience liaising with overseas agents and coordinating international shipments
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- High attention to detail and commitment to compliance and data accuracy
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
Desirable experience includes managing offshore or remote customs teams, HMRC audit readiness, process improvement initiatives, and freight management or customs systems knowledge.
Additional Information
As the business operates within a regulated environment, the successful candidate will be required to complete background checks, including a DBS check. A flexible approach to working hours is also required due to the nature of the business.
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