Freight forwarder : Career development

Progression is often to the level of senior freight forwarder or senior export administrator and then to export office manager or shipping manager.

Some large export or import companies have their own freight forwarding staff. Career progression in such companies is likely to be limited due to the small size of the departments, and the working environment may be less exciting.

Vocational and professional qualifications will certainly help in career development. Gaining chartered membership of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK  is particularly useful. In order to gain chartered member status, you will need to have a degree or N/SVQ at level 5 and a total of five years’ management experience, of which at least two must be at a senior management level. It is also possible to achieve chartered status through accredited in-company development schemes and the Freight Transport Association (FTA)  Management Training Programme. See the CILT website for full details of the different levels of membership.

As you gain general experience as a freight forwarder, employers will value your broad expert knowledge of procedures including customs, business risk management, insurance services, ISO quality procedures, business continuity planning, security, road transport management, warehouse and logistics management, supply chain management, sales and IT development. However, there are also opportunities to apply this knowledge in specialist fields. Specialist industries and their related goods include:

• the entertainment and sports industry, including transportation of film and concert sets, racing cars and sports equipment;
• perishable goods, including fruit, vegetables and fish;
• livestock, including pets, racehorses and zoo animals;
• medical and pharmaceutical supplies;
• heavy industries, including aerospace, power generation and ship components manufacture;
• automotive industries, including car and parts manufacture;
• fairs and exhibitions;
• trading companies who deal with the import and export of various types of goods to and from particular countries or regions.

Specialist knowledge will contribute to expertise in a particular area of freight forwarding. For example, in shipping fruit, it is necessary to account for packing methods, temperature requirements and the time allowable for delivery. If you intend to focus on a particular region or country, knowledge of language, culture and geography is helpful.

Freight forwarders also work in the manufacturing sector at senior logistics management levels. Professional qualifications are helpful, and mobility is usually necessary for career progression. With some of the larger organisations, career development may involve working overseas.