Route Manager - Airfreight

About the company

Think Specialist Recruitment is working with a leading global freight forwarding business to recruit a Route Manager to join its UK airfreight team.

Think Specialist Recruitment is an independent recruitment agency based in Hemel Hempstead, specialising in permanent, temporary and contract recruitment across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We recruit across administration, customer service, HR, finance, sales support, marketing and IT support.

Your tasks

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced airfreight professional who enjoys negotiation, supplier relationships and making commercially driven decisions. Rather than focusing on day-to-day operations, you'll take ownership of procurement, carrier management and pricing strategies, helping to maximise profitability, protect capacity and deliver the best possible service across the UK network.

You'll play a key role in shaping the commercial performance of the airfreight network, with responsibilities including:

• Airfreight procurement: Deliver procurement strategies and develop strong relationships with airline partners.
• Commercial negotiation: Secure competitive pricing through contract negotiations and spot buying.
• Capacity and consolidation: Plan and optimise consolidations, protect capacity and ensure efficient use of purchased volume.
• Pricing and profitability: Manage internal rates and take commercial ownership of gateway shipments, consolidations and selected back-to-back shipments.
• Market analysis: Monitor market conditions, customer demand and capacity to identify opportunities and support informed commercial decisions.
• Carrier performance: Analyse performance reports, address issues and work with internal teams or escalate where necessary.
• Network support: Share market intelligence, pricing guidance and commercial expertise with colleagues across the UK.
• Compliance and improvement: Maintain high standards of compliance and contribute to ongoing business improvement initiatives.

You'll work closely with operations teams, stations, gateways and airline partners, giving you the opportunity to influence decisions and build relationships across the wider business.

Requirements

We're keen to hear from commercially minded airfreight professionals who understand the market and know how to turn that knowledge into results.

Ideally, you'll bring

• Around five years' experience in airfreight, with a strong understanding of the commercial side of the industry.
• Proven negotiation skills and experience securing competitive rates with carriers or suppliers.
• A good understanding of airfreight operations, allowing you to make informed decisions and challenge where necessary.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• A commercial, analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret reports, assess performance and identify opportunities.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and a genuine drive to achieve results.
• A customer-focused attitude and the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Good IT skills and confidence working with data and performance reporting.

What we offer

With a competitive salary of £40,000-£48,000+ depending on experience, plus an annual bonus scheme, this is an opportunity to make a genuine impact within an established international business.

What's on offer?

• £40,000-£48,000+ salary, depending on experience.
• Annual bonus scheme.
• The opportunity to join a leading global freight forwarding business.
• A commercially focused position with scope to influence procurement, pricing and carrier performance.
• The chance to develop your airline relationships and make a tangible contribution to the wider UK network.
• A fully office-based role at the client's Hayes site.

How to apply

Interested in finding out more? If you have a background in airfreight and are ready for a role that puts commercial decision-making, negotiation and supplier relationships at the heart of your work, we'd love to hear from you.

Other

Route Manager - Airfreight Hayes | £40,000-£48,000+ DOE + Annual Bonus | Office-Based