Freight forwarder
Job facts
- Freight forwarders use sophisticated computer systems
- Earning potential up to £30,000 a year
- Movement of goods by road, sea, air or rail
Freight forwarders are responsible for organising the movement of goods by road, sea, air or rail. Using sophisticated computer systems, they research and plan the most appropriate and economical route for a shipment, considering factors such as the perishable or hazardous nature of the goods, cost, transit time and security.
Freight forwarders normally work office hours from Monday to Friday, but they may have to work outside normal office hours, including Saturdays, on a rota. Freight forwarding offices are usually modern, open-plan offices full of computer workstations. Trainee freight forwarders may earn £10,000 a year. Senior freight forwarders may earn up to £30,000.
Freight forwarders need:
- good spoken and written communication skills
- good numeracy skills
- good computer skills
- the ability to solve problems and think on their feet
Most freight is handled by over 3,000 third-party logistics (3PL) firms. These include small local companies, national companies with offices in large industrial towns, major ports and airports, and international companies with offices in the UK and overseas. London, the north-west, the West Midlands, the south-east and Scotland are main centres of UK logistics.
There are no minimum entry requirements, but employers often require GCSEs (A*-C) or equivalent qualifications and many entrants have higher qualifications. It is possible to do a traffic office Apprenticeship. A Diploma in Retail Business could be useful for this type of work.
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