Air Freight Operations Manager

Morgan McKinley is delighted to be partnering with a key client in the freight forwarding and logistics sector to recruit an experienced Operations Manager for their Dublin operation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established operations leader with a strong background in international air freight forwarding to take ownership of a busy operation, lead a high-performing team, and drive operational excellence across the business.

Please note: Extensive Air Freight forwarding experience is essential for this role. Candidates without a proven background in managing air freight operations will not be considered.

The Role

Reporting to the Country Manager, the Operations Manager will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the Dublin branch, ensuring the efficient movement of international shipments while delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining the highest levels of operational compliance.

You will play a key role in leading, developing and motivating the operations team, ensuring processes are efficient, customer expectations are exceeded, and commercial objectives are achieved.

This position requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced freight forwarding environment and has a strong understanding of international air freight operations, customs compliance and industry best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the daily operations of the Air Freight department, ensuring efficient and profitable service delivery.
• Drive operational excellence through effective leadership, process improvement and team development.
• Oversee the end-to-end movement of international air freight shipments.
• Ensure compliance with customs regulations, aviation security requirements, GDP standards and industry accreditations including AEO and ISO.
• Maximise the effective use of CargoWise and ensure operational administration, invoicing and shipment documentation are completed accurately.
• Resolve operational escalations while maintaining exceptional customer service standards.Develop strong relationships with customers, overseas partners and carriers.
• Negotiate competitive freight rates while protecting profitability.
• Work closely with the commercial team to identify new business opportunities and support customer growth.
• Manage financial performance, including month-end processes, aged debt and operational cost control.
• Recruit, mentor, coach and develop the operations team, fostering a high-performance culture built around accountability and continuous improvement.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Extensive experience within international Air Freight Forwarding (essential).
• Previous experience managing an Air Freight operations team within a freight forwarding environment.
• Strong leadership experience with the ability to motivate, develop and manage high-performing teams.
• Excellent knowledge of international freight forwarding, customs procedures and aviation security requirements.
• Experience working with CargoWise or a similar freight forwarding operating system.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience negotiating freight rates and managing customer relationships.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience managing operational KPIs, compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to join a well-established and growing international logistics business.
• Leadership role with genuine autonomy and influence.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Excellent long-term career development opportunities.