Cargo and Freight Agents

Operations & Service Delivery

Level 4457 of 1200 points

Job description

Cargo and Freight Agents

Job purpose

To expedite and route incoming and outgoing cargo and freight through terminals and docks — arranging transport with carriers, preparing bills of lading and shipping documents, estimating rates and tracking consignments — so that goods move by the right method, on time, correctly documented and at the agreed charge.

Skills

Sound knowledge of freight transport by air, rail, sea and road and of the relative cost and transit merits of each, of geography and routing, of tariff coding, import and export documentation, and of cargo security and safe loading. Uses shipping and tracking systems and hand-held bar-code scanners. A first degree is the most common qualification held, though many incumbents instead hold a two-year degree, a post-secondary certificate or some college study, with training given on the job.
Negotiates transport arrangements with shipping and freight companies, advises clients on shipment methods and payment terms, notifies consignees of arrivals, and stays civil with customers who are angry when a consignment is late, short or damaged. Contacts vendors, claims departments and service depots to settle shipment problems, and instructs staff engaged in packing and loading.
Determines the method of shipment for each consignment, classifies goods to the correct tariff group, traces lost shipments, and decides how to handle shortages, damaged goods and documentation that does not match the cargo. Judgement is exercised within carrier rules and tariff structures.
Plans and sequences pickups, loading and despatch against carrier departures and customer delivery commitments, and follows up outstanding consignments. The postholder sets much of the daily order of the work, but timing is dictated by transport schedules and pressed by cut-off times.
Uses the hands throughout the day on scanners, keyboards and documents, and on cargo itself: inspecting and counting items, packing goods with staplers, strapping machines and hammers, fitting straps, braces and padding to secure loads, opening containers with steel cutters and crowbars, and operating forklifts and hand trucks.

Responsibilities

No line management. Co-ordinates and supervises workers packing, shipping and loading merchandise, and directs delivery vehicles to shipping doors and marshalling areas; the safety of those workers and the results of their work turn in part on this direction.
Prepares invoices, estimates freight and postal rates, records shipment costs and weights, advises customers on payment methods and may arrange insurance cover for goods. Negotiates transport terms with carriers within the organisation's tariffs and authority, and holds no budget.
Accountable for cargo in transit and in store — its routing, secure stowage, even weight distribution and condition — for a supply of packing materials, and for the handling equipment used.
Keeps the records of all goods shipped, received and stored, prepares bills of lading, manifests and import and export documentation, and enters shipping information by keyboard or scanner. These documents determine charges, customs treatment and liability, and their form is set by carriers and regulation.

Effort required

Sustained accuracy over documentation, weights, rates and tariff classification, with decisions taken frequently under the time pressure of departure and delivery deadlines. Those decisions carry consequences for colleagues, customers and results when a shipment is wrongly routed or documented.
Regular contact with customers and carriers, including people who are discourteous or angry about delays, losses and damage, requiring composure while a remedy is arranged. Work is carried on close to others and in a competitive market for freight.
Predominantly seated at a workstation, with continued use of the hands on documents, scanners and goods. No standing, climbing or lifting demand beyond this is recorded.

Working conditions

Largely indoors in an environmentally controlled terminal or office, close to colleagues and hauliers. The recorded exposures are to unpleasant, angry or discourteous people and to responsibility for the health and safety of other workers; no weather exposure, noise, contaminants or hazardous conditions are recorded.
A working week that more often than not runs beyond full time. Rather more than half of incumbents are on an established routine, with a substantial minority on schedules that shift with production demands or contract duration and a smaller group working seasonally. The postholder has considerable freedom over how the work is done and settles most matters without referral, within tariffs and shipping regulation.

Skills

40% · 226 points▾

KnowledgeLevel 4 of 8
72 of 144 points
Factual and theoretical knowledge in broad contexts within a field of work. The job requires a range of thinking and practical knowledge to find solutions to specific problems in the job or study area.
Interpersonal and communication skillsLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Effective communication and interpersonal relationships. The job holder is required to adapt communication to different audiences and foster trust, cooperation and positive working relationships.
Problem-solving skillsLevel 2 of 5
38 of 96 points
Standard problems. The job involves solving problems with defined alternatives. Some judgement is needed, but help is usually available.
Planning and organisational skillsLevel 2 of 5
29 of 72 points
Basic organisational skills required. The job involves planning and organising one's own work within set deadlines. Some input into scheduling and prioritisation of tasks.
Physical skillsLevel 2 of 5
29 of 72 points
Basic physical skills required. The job requires some physical skills that involve light to moderate physical effort. There is some requirement for dexterity beyond the everyday needs of life. Manipulation may be required, but precision is not necessary.

Responsibility

35% · 120 points▾

PeopleLevel 1 of 5
29 of 144 points
Very limited. Not required to supervise or perform a caregiving role. The job may involve providing basic guidance to or orientation for others, such as helping new colleagues settle in.
Goods and equipmentLevel 2 of 5
34 of 84 points
Some responsibility for goods or equipment. The job involves the use and maintenance of equipment or stock, and the job holder is responsible for ensuring resources are used appropriately and safely.
InformationLevel 2 of 5
38 of 96 points
Limited responsibility for information. The job requires the individual to gather, process or share information in a controlled way, following guidelines or predefined procedures.
Financial resourcesLevel 1 of 5
19 of 96 points
Very limited responsibility for financial resources. The job involves handling small amounts of cash or processing simple transactions, such as recording expenses or maintaining basic financial records.

Effort

15% · 63 points▾

Mental effortLevel 2 of 5
24 of 60 points
Moderate mental effort. The job involves tasks that require focus, such as analysing straightforward information or performing repetitive tasks that require attention to detail.
Psychosocial and emotional effortLevel 2 of 5
29 of 72 points
Occasional psychosocial and emotional effort. The job requires occasional involvement in emotionally demanding situations, such as handling minor conflicts or dealing with upset individuals.
Physical effortLevel 1 of 5
10 of 48 points
Minimal physical effort. The job involves light physical tasks, such as occasional lifting or moving light objects.

Working Conditions

10% · 48 points▾

Environment (physical, psychological or emotional)Level 2 of 5
34 of 84 points
Occasional exposure to hazards or stress. The job involves occasional exposure to mild physical risks (e.g. working with light machinery, occasional noise) or psychosocial risks (e.g. occasional interpersonal conflict or minor repetitive tasks). Exposure occurs two to three times a year.
Organisational environmentLevel 2 of 5
14 of 36 points
Occasional organisational demands. The job may involve occasional irregular hours (e.g. the requirement to work weekends or holidays), minimal travel or limited digital connectivity outside normal working hours.