Freight Co-ordinator

Posting Start Date: 14 Aug 2025

Location: Stromness, Orkney, GB, KW16 3BH

Company: Serco Plc

Freight Coordinator

NorthLink Ferries, Orkney, KW16 3BH

Permanent, Full Time, 35 Hours - Shift pattern across a 6 day week ranging from 8am - 6pm (also 1 in 3 weekend call out)

£31,195 + Benefits 

 

Serco is seeking a Freight Coordinator to join the NorthLink Ferries team in Orkney. This is an excellent opportunity to lead and support our freight and operational teams, playing a key role in one of Transport's flagship contracts. The successful candidate will be instrumental in ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of a vital lifeline ferry service from the Scottish mainland to the Northern Isles.

 

The purpose of this role is to meet operational, service, quality, and health and safety targets, upholding the high standards of our service. We are looking for someone who is ready to take on a leadership position and contribute to a team that is essential to the community it serves.

 

Main Responsibilities

 

 Delivers customer service to internal and external customers in support of the NorthLink Ferries Freight and Livestock function.

 

  • Expected to make informed decisions in support of day to day service delivery.
  • Manages the day to day delivery of the NorthLink Ferries Freight operation across sites in Aberdeen, Orkney (Hatston and Stromness), Caithness (Scrabster) and Shetland (Lerwick) identifying customer demand and working with colleagues to aligning service delivery accordingly.
  • Effective scheduling of Freight timetables, including ad-hoc amendments to cater for additional demand, weather disruption or Operational requirements.
  • Regular analysis and reporting of industry trends to inform budget and forecasting setting process.  In depth analysis of the freight market in Orkney and Shetland, including business challenges on a weekly basis.
  • Oversees the maintenance of relevant equipment, facilities and systems at each of the ports, liaising with key suppliers and monitoring performance.
  • Expected to foster and maintain relationships with key Freight and Livestock stakeholders, providing them with a trusted point of contact.
  • Management of key customers advance bookings including daily prioritisation of trailers for all customers based on time sensitivity.
  • Review damage reports, assess damage/incident and interact with customers, sub-contractors and our insurers as required.
  • Provide support for Stevedores in all booking/cargo aspects including provisions and training. Attend and review quarterly Stevedore Contract Management Meetings.

 

What you will need to do the role:

 

  • Educated to Degree Level, or willing to work towards Degree in relevant discipline.
  • Computer literate, proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 
  • Previous Customer Service Experience
  • Understanding of Continuous Improvement and operational excellence and willing to undertake yellow belt training (Serco Operational Excellence Programme).
  • Understanding the Business and unique Operating Environment.

 

 What we offer

 

Your Compensation and Benefits Package

 

At Serco, we believe our people are our greatest asset. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your career, well-being, and financial future.

 

Investing in Your Future

 

  • Competitive Salary with Annual Reviews: We offer competitive pay that reflects your skills and experience, with regular reviews to ensure you're compensated fairly for your hard work.
  • Generous Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with our up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
  • Serco ShareSave Scheme: Join us in our success. Our scheme helps you save regularly and gives you the choice to purchase Serco shares at a discounted rate.

 

Professional Growth and Development

 

  • Unrivalled Training and Mentoring: Your professional development is a priority. You'll have access to a vast library of over 1,100 internal courses, as well as funding for formal qualifications and apprenticeships. We're committed to helping you build a long and successful career with us.

 

Your Health and Wellbeing

 

  • Holistic Wellbeing Support: We've got you covered with a range of benefits to support your health and peace of mind. This includes a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, access to the BUPA Anytime HealthLine, a wellbeing app, and Simplyhealth cash plans to help with healthcare costs.
  • Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy significant savings on everything from daily essentials to travel and entertainment with discounts across around 1,000 retailers.

 

Community and Connection

 

  • Employee Networks: Connect with colleagues who share your passions and experiences through our dedicated employee networks. It’s a great way to find support and build a sense of community.
  • Charitable Giving: We encourage giving back to the community with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also support your favourite charity effortlessly through our tax-free Payroll Giving Scheme.

 

About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services.  We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.


By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. 


Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 


At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.  For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
 

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.