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Freight forwarder : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
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Case studies

  • Range of typical starting salaries: £18,000 - £22,000, rising to £25,000 - 28,000 with three to five years’ experience.
  • Range of typical salaries at middle management level with experience (e.g. after ten years in the role): £30,000 - £35,600, and at senior management level: £35,000 - £45,000. 
  • Employers may also offer additional benefits such as a bonus scheme, company car and pension scheme.
  • Working hours and conditions typically include regular out-of-hours attendance to meet clients' needs. Shift work may be required as some large freight forwarders provide 24-hour/365-day cover.
  • The work is mainly office based. Opportunities tend to be concentrated in transport centres such as ports, airports and rail terminals, and along major road networks, with offices usually situated close to industrial areas.
  • Self-employment/freelance work (including consultancy) is possible for those with experience. There are many small single-office firms dealing with clients in local areas with a particular type of commodity or form of transport.
  • The gender balance is roughly equal, although senior positions are currently held predominantly by men. This pattern is changing as the industry competes for entrants with proven academic ability in a competitive marketplace.
  • The dress code is normally smart, as you may be meeting clients, but business-casual is acceptable in the office.
  • The working environment can be stressful, as much of the work is aimed at meeting tight delivery deadlines.
  • Travel within the working day and absence from home at night are common.
  • In larger firms of freight forwarders, opportunities to travel and/or work overseas are becoming more frequent for experienced staff. The ability to speak a foreign language is an advantage and can be a key factor in selecting a candidate to work in an overseas location.
 
AGCAS
Written by Andrea Gregory, AGCAS
Date: 
November 2010
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