Freight Booking Consultant

About Us
We are a growing UK-based business seeking an experienced Freight Booking Consultant to support our ocean freight operations between China and the United Kingdom.

This is a hands-on consulting role for someone with extensive experience managing FOB ocean shipments directly with carriers. In addition to handling day-to-day bookings, you will play a key role in documenting our operational processes by creating a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that can be used to train our internal operations team.

Trade Lane
Origin Ports
• Tianjin (CNTSN)
• Qingdao (CNTAO)
• Ningbo (CNNGB)

Destination Ports
• London Gateway (GBLON)
• Felixstowe (GBFXT)

Primary Carrier
• CMA CGM

Additional Carrier Platforms
• APL
• ANL
• CNC
• Maersk
• MSC

Key Responsibilities
1. Ocean Freight Bookings
• Manage end-to-end FOB shipment bookings through the CMA CGM Click & Book platform
• Prepare and submit carrier bookings accurately and efficiently
• Select suitable vessel schedules based on transit time, allocation availability, and operational requirements
• Enter and validate shipment details including:
-- Port of Loading (POL)
-- Port of Discharge (POD)
-- Container type and quantity
-- Cargo weight
-- Commodity descriptions
-- HS Codes
• Complete all shipping party information including Shipper, Consignee, Notify Party, Forwarder, Customs Broker, and D ---------- Party
• Verify freight payment terms and payment locations
• Review booking summaries and secure booking confirmations
• Utilize booking templates and reusable bookings where appropriate

2. Booking Management
• Monitor bookings from confirmation through vessel departure
• Process booking amendments, cancellations, and reconfirmations
• Coordinate cargo readiness against carrier cut-off schedules
• Monitor empty container release dates
• Track Verified Gross Mass (VGM) deadlines
• Monitor Shipping Instruction (SI) submission deadlines
• Resolve allocation issues and communicate directly with carrier booking teams when required

3. SOP Development
• Develop a comprehensive, step-by-step Standard Operating Procedure covering the complete China to UK booking workflow
• Capture screenshots of each stage within the carrier portals
• Create decision trees and workflow diagrams
• Prepare reference guides for carrier processes, booking statuses, and required documentation
• Document exception handling procedures and escalation paths
• Produce SOP documentation suitable for onboarding junior operations staff
• Continuously improve documentation as carrier processes evolve

Required Qualifications
Essential
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of hands-on experience in ocean freight operations
• Extensive experience managing China to Europe or China to UK shipments
• Proven experience using CMA CGM Click & Book or equivalent carrier booking platforms (APL, ANL, CNC)
• Strong understanding of FOB Incoterms and associated operational responsibilities
• Experience with the following origin ports:
-- Tianjin (CNTSN)
-- Qingdao (CNTAO)
-- Ningbo (CNNGB)
• Familiarity with UK destination ports:
-- London Gateway
-- Felixstowe
• Experience managing multiple concurrent shipments
• Ability to interpret vessel schedules, ETDs, ETAs, and port cut-off timelines
• Previous experience preparing SOPs, work instructions, or operational documentation
• Excellent written and spoken English
Preferred
• Existing CMA CGM or APL customer portal access
• Established relationships with carrier booking teams
• Experience within a freight forwarding, NVOCC, or 3PL environment
• Knowledge of SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirements
• Understanding of UK import procedures and customs documentation
• Experience obtaining spot quotations through carrier procurement platforms such as SpotOn

Skills
Technical Skills
• CMA CGM Click & Book platform
• Carrier booking systems and e-booking platforms
• Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Shipping documentation including:
-- Bills of Lading
-- Shipping Instructions
-- Dangerous Goods Documentation
-- MSDS
• Process documentation and SOP writing
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
Soft Skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Effective time management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders across carriers, suppliers, and freight partners

HIRING PROCESS
1. Application review - applications without a clear, specific summary of freight coordination experience will not advance.
2. A 15-minute interview, booked online. Concrete answers about real shipments - the lanes, the problems, and how you closed them - work best. May be followed by a second longer interview if needed.
3. Offer to the candidate who passes - a full-time position paid biweekly, every other Friday, in exchange for 9:00 to 5:00 UK Business Hours availability, Monday through Friday.

How to Apply
Submit your application through this form: ----------

The application form includes questions about your freight coordination experience, carrier platforms and systems you've worked with, cross-border shipping experience, availability, and expected rate.

Please note: Only applications submitted through the application form will be considered. Applications received without a completed form will not be reviewed.

Once you have completed the form, please send us a message with the subject line: Freight Consultant - [YOUR FULL NAME]