Red Recruit Global
Operations Manager
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Ocean Export Manager
Location: East London
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Start Date: ASAP
Working Pattern: Office-based, Monday to Friday
About the Role
Our client, a well-established and growing freight forwarding organisation, is seeking an experienced Ocean Export Manager to lead the operational function within its specialist recyclables division.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a business that forms part of a larger, expanding logistics group, providing global transport solutions across air, sea, and road freight. The position plays a pivotal role within a successful niche division that has ambitious plans for continued growth and expansion into new markets.
What You’ll Do
Initially, you will work closely with senior leadership to develop a thorough understanding of the operation, its customers, suppliers, and the specialist recyclables market. Following this initial handover period, you will assume full ownership of the operational function, working with a high degree of autonomy.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Taking full ownership of the ocean export operation within the recyclables division.
- Ensuring the smooth and efficient day-to-day running of the department.
- Managing, mentoring, and developing a team of five employees.
- Acting as the first point of escalation for operational and customer queries.
- Supporting and guiding the team through complex operational challenges.
- Monitoring team performance and identifying training and development requirements.
- Driving process improvements and implementing greater efficiencies across the department.
- Working closely with commercial colleagues to improve file profitability and support continued business growth.
- Ensuring strong communication and cohesion between the operational and commercial teams.
- Managing holiday approvals, workloads, and team morale.
- Supporting credit control to help ensure customer accounts remain up to date.
- Monitoring supplier and customer queries and ensuring they are resolved promptly and professionally.
- Embedding a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
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What You Need
- Strong operational experience within ocean export freight forwarding is essential.
- Previous management, supervisory, or team leadership experience.
- The ability to take full ownership of an operational department and work autonomously.
- Experience within recyclables or another specialist freight sector would be advantageous.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a passion for continuous improvement.
- Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of file profitability.
- Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- A confident communication style, with the ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers, colleagues, and senior management.
- The ability to successfully manage change while maintaining strong team engagement.
Why You’ll Love This Role
- Competitive salary, depending on experience.
- Annual discretionary bonus.
- 3% employer pension contribution.
- 20 days’ annual leave, increasing to 25 days with service.
- Genuine autonomy and ownership of the operational function.
- Clear opportunities for progression as the department grows.
- The chance to drive positive change and shape the future of the operation.
- A stable and expanding organisation within a larger logistics group.
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How to Apply
If you are an experienced ocean export professional ready to take ownership of a specialist operation and lead a successful team, we would love to hear from you. You are also welcome to refer someone who may be suitable.
Email: karen.smith@red-recruit.com
Telephone: 01376 503567 | 0203 906 6020
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, or know someone suitable, please share this advert or send us their details. Successful referrals qualify for our candidate referral reward scheme.
Red Recruit specialises in Shipping, Freight and Logistics, Removals and Storage, Relocation and Global Mobility, and Fine Art recruitment, with opportunities available across all levels. Not all our vacancies are advertised, so please send us your CV in confidence or contact us directly.
Keywords/Alternative Titles: Ocean Export Manager, Ocean Freight Manager, Sea Freight Manager, Export Operations Manager, Freight Forwarding Manager, Shipping Manager, Recyclables Manager, Logistics Manager, Ocean Export, Sea Freight, Freight Operations, Team Manager, Freight Forwarding, East London Freight Jobs.
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