Route Manager

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Route Manager - Hemel Hempstead</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Think Specialist Recruitment are working with a leading global freight forwarder to recruit a Route Manager for their UK airfreight team. You'll deliver procurement and carrier management strategies that balance cost, capacity and service, working closely with operations teams, stations, gateways and airline partners.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">This is a commercial role rather than an operational one. You'll secure the best pricing, protect capacity, manage airline relationships and give the wider UK network the market insight it needs to win and deliver business.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">This position is a fully office based role working in our clients Hayes site, on offer is a salary from £40k+ per annum dependent on experience which could see the successful candidate secure a salary in the late 40's, along with an annual bonus scheme.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">The role</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Deliver the airfreight procurement strategy, supporting the airline relationships that sit behind it</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Secure the best pricing through contract and spot buying</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Plan consolidations and protect capacity, working directly with operations and stations</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Optimise consolidations and control volume paid</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Take commercial ownership of gateway shipments, consolidations and some back-to-back shipments</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Define and manage internal rates</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Analyse the market and customer demand to balance supply and demand</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Monitor carrier performance using internal reports and take corrective action locally or escalate where needed</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Provide market information, guidance and support to the wider UK network</p>

<h5 class="fw-bold text-success mt-4 mb-3">Make sure all activity meets compliance and code-of-conduct requirements, including anti-corruption</h5>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Contribute to the continuous improvement programme</p>

<h5 class="fw-bold text-success mt-4 mb-3">About you</h5>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Strong commercial understanding of the airfreight industry, with around five years' experience preferred</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Excellent negotiation skills, with a track record of securing results with carriers or suppliers</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Excellent communication skills, internally and externally</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Good operational understanding of how airfreight moves, and the confidence to challenge when needed</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Able to build strong relationships with suppliers and colleagues</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">A strong problem solver and results driven, with a positive "can do" attitude</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Customer focused, and a good team player</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Good IT awareness, with confidence in analysing performance data and reports</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Looking for the next step in your career?</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Think Specialist Recruitment is an independent support staff recruitment agency based in Hemel Hempstead, working across Herts, Beds and Bucks. We specialise in permanent, temporary and contract recruitment across administration, customer service, HR, finance, sales support, marketing and IT support</p>