Job Title: Freight Apprentice
Position Reports to: Paul Burke (Road Freight Manager Ireland)
Location: Based in SSL B1, Deerpark Industrial Estate, Oranmore, Co. Galway
Start date: September in line with course start date
Role Purpose:
This role supports the fast and efficient flow of goods on behalf of our customers from the sender to the receiver.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
General:
- Handle clients and shipments from A to Z (From booking to financial settlements).
- Manage import and export processes.
- Maintain Group Email Inbox.
- Managing international shipping logistics for large shipments by working with customs agents, shipping companies, and other third parties.
- Coordinating transportation arrangements such as trucks, railcars, airplanes, ships, or ocean containers.
- Support the Road Freight Manager Ireland to achieve corporate goals while providing recommendations of continuous process improvements.
Customer Service:
- Understanding the client’s business and shipping needs to provide comprehensive logistics solutions.
- Develop strong relationships with clients to ensure their satisfaction and repeat business.
- Communicating with customers regarding shipment details and delivery schedules.
- Evaluating potential clients’ shipping needs and recommending appropriate solutions e.g., trucking, airline, shipping, or train.
- Assessing carrier performance based on customer feedback and implementing changes where necessary.
- Establishing relationships with vendors and suppliers to develop new business opportunities.
- Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
- Communicating with carriers relating to transport updates, issues affecting the carrier, delivery times etc.
- Resolve any issues that may arise during shipping, such as delays or damaged goods.
Administration:
- Tracking shipments using a software system.
- Reviewing shipping documentation to ensure compliance with company standards and regulations e.g., customs.
- Maintaining records of all incoming and outgoing shipments.
- Ensure all customs procedures/regulations for freight are complied with to maintain AEO Status.
- Accessing multiple data bases to monitor, track, and verify incoming and outgoing shipments.
- Non-conformance reporting in accordance with the KPI’s.
- Prepare and process documentation required for customs clearance and other international shipping requirements.
- Create, update, and execute SOPs for new and existing processes.
- Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.
Accounts:
- Assists with the identification of cross sell/up sell opportunities to the customers.
- Responding to tender requests and providing quotations.
- Coordinating with shipping companies to negotiate rates and schedules for shipments.
- Statement reconciliation and ensure carriers are paid on time.
- Assist in resolving any billing/equipment disputes that arise from operational activities.
- Understand and input applicable financial components of shipments for proper billing of customers
Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
- Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers, management, and other teams in the company.
- Excellent Interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to listen to the needs and requirements of various stakeholders and effectively verbalise their own ideas.
- Excellent organisational skills to balance and prioritise their workload and meet deadlines.
- Excellent customer service skills to maintain and grow the Company’s client base.
- Ability to accept and effectively cope with change.
Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria:
- Apprentices must be at least 18 years of age and meet one of the following LAA programme entry criteria:
- H7/O6 or above in five leaving certificate (or equivalent) subjects. A minimum of grade O6 must be obtained in English. A minimum of grade O6 or a B2 or above in Foundation level must be obtained in mathematics.
- Holders of a QQI Level 5 or Level 6 (or equivalent) in cognate areas (e.g. business, logistics and distribution, supply chain management, etc.
- Applicants may also be eligible to become apprentices via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Application contact:
