Freight forwarder: Employers and vacancy sources

Employers of freight forwarders fall roughly into three types, although there are overlaps within these groups:

• Local companies - these are generally small, single-office firms dealing with clients in their immediate local area or operating at a seaport/airport and concentrating on particular types of traffic.
• National companies - many forwarders have offices in major ports and airports throughout the country as well as in the largest industrial towns. They may also have warehousing or handling depots. Such companies often have agents or correspondents overseas in the markets in which they trade.
• International companies - global companies have their own offices overseas and offer a wide range of worldwide services.

Many freight forwarders have taken the opportunity to extend their range of services, which now include warehousing, sorting, order picking, packaging and goods assembly. A few firms just work with other freight forwarders.

Source of vacancies

• Careers in Logistics  
• CILT - Appointments Online  
• Institute of Export  
• Logistics Manager  
• Supply Chain Online  
• Supply Chain Recruit  

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Freight Personnel  also handle vacancies. For a list of member agencies specialising in logistics and freight, search the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) .

You can write speculatively to companies to enquire about vacancies. The British International Freight Association (BIFA)  has contact details of its members on its website, which can be used for applications.

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