What’s it like working as a Freight Forwarder?

Freight Forwarders, acting as intermediaries between importers and exporters, seek out and then coordinate the most cost effective and fitting way to move goods between nations. This is an active role, that requires excellent contacts in all the transport modes and a sound understanding of rules and regulations relating to the carriage of goods.

Greg Whitau, Freight Forwarder

These cargo ‘middle men’, also known as freight clerks or shipping clerks, can be employed as a export freight agent, moving goods out of a country on behalf of exporters or shippers, or a import freight agent, customs clearance agent or custom broker, bringing goods into the country on behalf of importers.

What kind of work can I do?

In essence the Freight Forwarder’s role falls into four main areas: the provision of a range of independent services such as packing and warehousing; giving distribution advice; acting as a agent to source transport space; and acting as a principal to move goods across international frontiers.

Freight Forwarders have excellent relationships with road, rail, air and shipping companies, allowing them to find and negotiate the best transport arrangements for clients, although in some cases, the freight forwarding company itself provides the service. They will be expected to select safe routes and carriers; negotiate contracts, transportation and handling costs; book the transport cargo space; arrange appropriate packing; deal with transport rates, insurance and schedules; make calculations by weight, volume and cost; prepare quotations and invoices; and prepare contracts.

Freight Forwarders need to liaise closely with clients at all stages to advise them of costs and arrangements. Other duties a Freight Forwarder may be expected to perform include the clearing of goods through customs, arranging the payment of duties and taxes, and organising the delivery of goods to the importer’s premises.

Where can I work?

Companies with positions for Freight Forwarders available can range from small, single-office firms dealing with clients in their immediate local area or operating at a specific seaport, to global companies that have their own offices overseas and offer a wide range of worldwide services.

To better compete, many Freight Forwarders today offer a range of services including warehousing, sorting, packaging and goods assembly. Some large export or import companies have their own freight forwarding staff, while others employ the services of specialist freight forwarding companies. Freight forwarding staff can also often find employment in the manufacturing sector at senior logistics management levels.

A Freight Forwarder is an important link in the cargo supply chain and has a finger firmly on the pulse of the logistics industry.

What’s it like working as a Freight Forwarder?
Karen Kelland – Freight Forwarder

The most interesting things that occur in freight forwarding happen as a result of problems such as goods not arriving on time. But the rougher it gets the more job satisfaction I get – it’s definitely a job for crisis junkies, those who are solution-driven and don’t mind the continual adrenalin rush.”

Karen Kelland first came into contact with the freight forwarding community when she worked for a shipping line. “The variety of work involved in organising the movement of goods in, out and around the country via air, sea and rail really appealed to me. These days I’m the national operations manager for a freight forwarding company which I helped establish in 1999.”

On a typical day Karen will be doing a range of things including training people in the various aspects of forwarding, liaising with customers, and organising the movement of anything from locomotive parts to foodstuffs and cosmetics all over the world.

“You have to ensure that customer’s goods arrive on time because they often face a financial penalty if goods are late. It can seem like you’re forever pushing the boundary and achieving mission impossible to get the booking you want. For example, if goods from Auckland are unable to be transported by rail to Wellington urgently, I’ll have to quickly think of an alternative plan, like arranging for a truck driver to deliver the goods overnight.”

People skills are absolutely critical in freight forwarding says Karen. “You might have to tell a truck driver who’s about to knock off on a Friday afternoon that he’s to go to the airport to pick up and deliver urgent goods, and because this is a customer service industry it’s vital to keep in touch with your clients and be sensitive to their requirements.”

As well as getting a buzz from the everyday demands of arranging the transport and delivery of customer freight Karen also enjoys the staff training aspect of her role. “This job involves two things I love: taking a problem and solving it, and training people. I love seeing someone with potential come into such a complex business and learn and grow.”

SOURCE: Career Services New Zealand

How big is this sector?

There are many Freight Forwarders throughout the world in the form of local, national and international freight forwarding companies, as well as major retail companies, manufacturers, and warehousing and distribution firms. Companies vary in size and type, from large conglomerates to specialised firms, who deal with particular types of goods or operate within particular geographical areas.

Interested candidates can undertake courses and professional training in international transport, logistics supply chain management and transport management, although experience in sea, road or rail transport operations can be used as entry into this sector. As a specialist profession, national freight associations also provide training and diplomas for this Freight Forwarders.