Global Freight Planner

Gist Limited; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company in Basingstoke is seeking a Global Freight Planner to oversee transactional elements of import/export shipments, especially in the perishable and retail sectors. The role involves managing PO activities, coordinating logistics, and ensuring timely delivery while meeting customer expectations. The ideal candidate should have freight forwarding experience, road/sea freight knowledge, and strong organizational skills. This position offers competitive salary and benefits, including generous annual leave and discounts.

Benefits

20% discount on M&S products

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Discounted healthcare plan

Pension scheme with life assurance

Access to wellbeing support

Tailored induction and training programs

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working for a Freight Forwarder is required.
• Proficiency in road and sea freight operations.
• Strong understanding of international freight documentation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate import and export shipments for perishable products.
• Create and validate export/import documents with service providers.
• Ensure customer delivery dates are met through effective communication.

Skills

Freight Forwarding

Road Freight Knowledge

Sea Freight Knowledge

International Freight Documentation

Microsoft Office

Knowledge of Customs HS/Tariff Codes

Attention to Detail

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Tools

Freight Forwarding Systems

Job description

Working in partnership with M&S, at Gist we deliver industry-leading logistics and supply chain transformation.

At Gist, safety and people sit at the heart of everything we do. We value individuality and create an environment where everyone can bring their authentic self to work, contribute meaningfully, and make a real impact.

As the Global Freight Planner, your focus is on the ‘transactional’ elements of UK import and export shipments, focused on the perishable and retail sectors. Based on instructions received from customers you will be responsible for ensuring all planned activities, based on the business rules, and requirements are completed to cost, quality and time.

The role will involve the execution of PO Management and Road freight movements in a “Control Tower” environment; coordination of perishable import sea shipments with customs clearance to delivery in the UK, as well as the execution of cargo movements (retail products - ambient and frozen) from the UK to clients overseas (Middle and Far East).

This role encompasses several different customer accounts with differences in processes and requirements.

What’s in it for you?

Gist is an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and evolving business built on our core values. Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for Gist just that little bit more special.

• 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion and food
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
• Discounted rates on healthcare cash plan
• Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and life assurance (up to 4 times salary)
• Amazing perks and discounts via our App to major restaurants and retailers
• Access to a wide range of wellbeing support – including our Employee Assistance Programme
• A first-class welcome with a tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes to help with your learning and development
• Cycle to work scheme

Salary:Up to £32,800

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm

What you’ll do:

• Coordination of import shipments into UK (principally perishable products)
• Coordination of export shipments ex UK (principally retail sector)
• Coordination of collections/deliveries within UK
• Coordination of collections/deliveries within Europe
• Export & Import document creation, validation, consolidation and distribution
• Communication of instructions to service providers
• Communication of pre-advice to customers and agents
• Export/Import customs processes
• Progress and Information Status Updates (In transit checks)
• Import entries using a range of software packages

Key Responsibilities:

• Exceptions – responding to exceptions and alerts. Resolution or escalation to the Team Manager
• Achieving customer delivery dates through ocean and road freight
• Timely progress and information updates
• Internal and external customer satisfaction
• Cost accrual to business software
• Invoicing customers through business software
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers ensuring that they are kept informed and always updated
• Ensure effective communications within the Global Freight Team
• Achievement of KPIs

Who you are:

Experience (essential):

• Experience working for a Freight forwarder
• Road and Sea Freight knowledge
• Good understanding of international freight documentation
• Working with overseas agents
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of freight forwarding systems
• Understanding of Customs HS/Tariff codes
• Innovative and resourceful
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good team player
• Excellent attention to detail
• Flexibility
• Highly organised, able to prioritise and work under pressure and to deadlines
• Flexible approach to daily tasks and workload
• Experience of DEFRA/Plant Health/IPAFFS/TRACES
• Customs execution (import and export)

Why Gist?

At Gist we are united by our core values; with safety and people at the heart of everything do, we are progressive, accountable, collaborative, and ethical.

Our objective is to establish a performance-focused environment that is fair and inclusive, where everyone can develop, and connect meaningfully to their manager, the Gist vision, and M&S. We are fiercely protective of everyone’s health, safety, and wellbeing, and align firmly to M&S’s sustainability commitments in Plan A.

Gist will play an integral part in the M&S journey as it pushes boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring era. As part of the M&S group, there’s never been a better time to be part of our team. Join us and make an immediate impact.

Gist aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment. If it’s meaningful to you, it’s important to us.

Our Internal Recruitment Team fulfil all vacancies on a direct basis. Unsolicited contact by unapproved agencies (sharing speculative CVs) will not be accepted and introductory fees will not apply.