Freight forwarder

Company description

CLS - Combined Logistic Services is a global shipping, freight forwarding, and customs clearance company with more than 15 years of industry experience and a strong specialization in the African market.

From our base in Antwerp, we manage shipments globally with a special focus on Africa. We cover containerized cargo, breakbulk, heavy lift, and project cargo. We provide flexible, cost-effective and multimodal logistics solutions tailored to the specific requirements of our clients.

At CLS, we operate with a \"Never Fail\" mindset. We focus on precision, reliability, operational excellence and proactive communication, with the objective of getting it right the first time, every time.

As we continue to grow our global trade business, we are looking for a Freight Forwarder & Inside Sales professional who can combine strong operational knowledge with a commercial mindset.

The Role

As a Freight Forwarder & Inside Sales, you will have a dual role combining freight forwarding operations, customer management and business development.

You will manage shipments from booking through delivery while actively following up on customer inquiries, preparing quotations, developing leads and identifying new business opportunities, particularly on Africa-related trade lanes.

You will work closely with shipping lines, carriers, overseas agents, transport companies, terminals and customers to ensure that every shipment is handled efficiently and according to the agreed service standards.

Key Responsibilities

Freight Forwarding & Operations

• Coordinate international shipments to and from Africa, including FCL, LCL, breakbulk, heavy lift and project cargo.
• Handle bookings with shipping lines, carriers and other service providers.
• Coordinate the complete shipment process from origin to destination.
• Learn to manage projects from A to Z
• Prepare and verify shipping and export documentation.
• Monitor vessel schedules, cargo movements, transshipments and delivery deadlines.
• Coordinate with overseas agents, transporters, terminals and other logistics partners.
• Proactively identify and resolve operational issues.
• Keep customers informed about shipment status, delays and potential issues.
• Maintain accurate shipment files and update internal systems.

Inside Sales & Business Development

• Respond to customer inquiries and prepare competitive freight quotations.
• Follow up proactively on quotations and commercial opportunities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing customers.
• Identify new business opportunities globally with special attention to the Africa trade
• Qualify leads and convert opportunities into shipments.
• Work closely with the operations team to ensure commercially agreed solutions can be delivered operationally.
• Possibility to travel internationally
• Monitor market developments, freight rates, carrier services and opportunities in the African market.
• Develop a strong understanding of customer requirements and propose suitable logistics solutions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 2-5 years of experience in freight forwarding, shipping, logistics or a related field.
• Solid knowledge of international freight forwarding and shipping operations.
• Experience with FCL and/or LCL shipments; experience with breakbulk, heavy lift or project cargo is a strong advantage.
• Knowledge of export procedures, shipping documentation and international trade processes.
• Commercially minded with experience in customer service, quotations and sales follow-up.
• Strong understanding of freight rates, carriers, routing options and international shipping.
• Experience with African trade lanes is highly valued but not a must.
• Ability to manage multiple shipments, customers and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive, solution-oriented and hands-on approach.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• French is a strong advantage, particularly for the African market.
• Good knowledge of MS Office and familiarity with freight forwarding/logistics software.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who is operationally strong but commercially driven.

Someone who can work independently in a flexible structure and who is a real teams player.

You understand that successful forwarding is not only about moving cargo from A to B. It is about understanding the customer's needs, finding the right solution, following up, solving problems before they become issues and ultimately winning and retaining business.

Who dares, wins. Skills can be