Freight Forwarding Estimator (M/F)

About the role

BALSA, a B-BBEE empowered freight forwarding and logistics provider with an integrated network across Africa, is hiring a permanent, full-time Estimator in Johannesburg. The Estimator's main purpose is to make sure all tender and estimate requests are completed and submitted on time.

Key responsibilities

• Deal directly with customers by telephone or electronically and obtain and evaluate all relevant information for enquiries
• Prepare multimodal estimates and pricing for imports, exports and cross-trade shipments by air, sea, road and cross-trade
• Handle local delivery quotes for various load sizes and ensure all quotations are accurate and profitable
• Process quotations, submit tenders to the tender desk and give daily status reports when asked by the manager
• Negotiate rates with nominated and approved third parties on behalf of the client and the network
• Keep records of customer interactions, enquiries and transactions, and manage customer account requirements
• Communicate with internal departments, liaise with the BALSA network daily and hand over shipments and new business to operations
• Complete general administrative work and contribute to team efforts

Required profile

• Matric qualification
• 5 to 10 years of experience in sea, air or road freight imports and exports
• Strong geographic knowledge worldwide and good knowledge of truck, vessel, loading equipment and container types
• Knowledge of DG cargo and of requirements across the rest of Africa
• Proactive and tenacious attitude

Required skills

• Load planning and assessing cargo weights
• Computer literacy with the MS Office suite, including Excel