Freight forwarder : Employers and vacancy sources

The British International Freight Association (BIFA)  has around 1,400 corporate members, who account for a majority share of all freight forwarding business in the UK. There is also approximately 1,000 other companies working in freight transport.

Companies 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

• Logistics Manager
• Supply Chain Jobs
• Supply Chain Online
• International Freighting Weekly
• Careers in Logistics
• Institute of Export

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Freight Personnel  also handle vacancies. Search the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)  consultancy finder for a list of relevant member agencies specialising in logistics and freight.

Larger companies recruit graduates throughout the year, although they do not usually advertise in directories or attend careers fairs. Write speculatively to companies from January of your final year at university. Use directories such as the Freight Services Directory (free to members) to find contact details. Member contact details are also available on the British International Freight Association (BIFA)  website.

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