Apprentice Freight Operations Coordinator

About the role

Join the 500 Logistics crew! 🚢✈️🚗 We're a fast-growing freight forwarding company and we're on the hunt for awesome individuals to join our operations team in Thatcham. This is your chance to kickstart a dynamic, fast-paced career with serious potential for growth. 🚀 No freight experience? No worries! We're more interested in your drive and talent.

This is a busy role, so expect to be juggling customers, suppliers, deadlines, and shifting priorities. We need someone who can learn on the fly, chat confidently, and take pride in nailing the details. 💯

As you grow with us, you'll get to:

• Quote awesome freight moves: Road, air, and sea – you'll be quoting it all! 📊
• Be the booking boss: Arrange transport and keep shipments moving from pickup to drop-off. 📦➡️🏠
• Master the paperwork: Prepare docs and handle customs clearances like a pro. 📄
• Sync up with suppliers & receivers: Coordinate collection and delivery slots. 🗓️
• Keep an eye on things: Monitor shipments and tackle any delays or changes head-on. 👀
• Keep clients in the loop: Update customers throughout their shipping journey. 🗣️
• Be the system whiz: Create and update bookings accurately in our freight management system. 💻
• Connect with the world: Communicate professionally with clients, hauliers, airlines, shipping lines, and global agents. 🌍
• Double-check everything: Ensure shipment info and docs are spot-on. ✅
• Be a team player: Help out the whole crew to deliver top-notch service. 🙌

What we're looking for:

• Academic chops: At least five GCSEs at grades 9–4/A*–C, including English and Maths (or equivalent). 📚
• Sharp communication: Strong writing skills and great with numbers. ✍️🔢
• Quick learner: You can soak up new info, processes, and systems super fast. 🧠
• Problem-solver: A logical and practical approach to getting things done. 🤔
• Detail-oriented: You've got an eagle eye for accuracy. 🔍
• Confident communicator: You can chat professionally on the phone and via email. 📞📧
• Organized: You can handle multiple tasks in a busy environment. 🗂️
• Proactive: Willing to take ownership, use your initiative, and ask questions. ✨
• Dependable: Punctual, reliable, and a true team player. ⏰🤝
• Ambitious: Seriously motivated to complete your apprenticeship and build a long-term career here. 💪

Good to know:

We're a dog-friendly office, so expect some furry friends around! 🐶🐕

Bonus points if you have:

• A-levels, BTEC, T-level, college, uni qualification, or other further/higher education. 🎓
• Experience from work, volunteering, or positions of responsibility. 💼
• A keen interest in business, logistics, international trade, transport, or customer service. 🌟
• Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word. 🖱️
• Achievements outside of school/college like part-time work, sports, or personal projects. 🏅

We're all about potential, not just what's on your CV. Whether you're fresh out of school, have been to uni, are switching gears, or already have work experience, what matters most is that you're capable, dependable, curious, and eager to learn. Let's build something amazing together! 🎉

Key responsibilities

• Prepare quotations for road, air and sea freight movements
• Book transport and coordinate shipments from collection to delivery
• Prepare documentation and arrange customs clearances
• Monitor shipments and respond proactively to delays or changes
• Communicate professionally with customers, hauliers, airlines, shipping lines and overseas agents

Entry requirements

GCSE in: (5 GCSEs (grade C/4/Pass), English (grade C/4/Pass), Maths (grade C/4/Pass))