Air Freight Operator – Pharma & Healthcare

Location: Basel, Switzerland
Salary: CHF 90,000 – 100,000 gross per annum, depending on experience

About the Business

You’ll be joining an established global freight forwarding and logistics organisation with more than 40 years of industry experience and a presence across over 100 locations worldwide.

The business provides international air, sea, road and rail freight solutions, working with customers across a wide range of sectors, including aviation, automotive, healthcare, life sciences, technology and industrial markets.

With a strong international network, investment in technology and a consultative approach to customer service, this is a business that offers the opportunity to develop your career within a growing global organisation.

The Package & Benefits

Alongside a competitive salary of CHF 90,000 – 100,000, depending on experience, the company offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Generous pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions.

• Full coverage of accident insurance premiums.

• At least 25 days’ annual holiday, increasing with age.

• 41-hour working week.

• Flexible working hours.

• Hybrid working, with up to two days per week from home.

• Additional time off around public holidays.

• Annual paid volunteering allowance.

• Financial support towards selected professional development and training programmes.

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Air Freight Operator with a background in pharmaceutical or healthcare logistics looking for your next career move?

I’m currently recruiting on behalf of a leading global freight forwarding and logistics business seeking an experienced Air Freight Operator to join its Pharma/Healthcare division in Basel.

This is an excellent opportunity to become part of an established international organisation with a strong global network, an experienced team and a growing presence within the pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics sector.

You’ll play an important role in managing international air freight shipments from start to finish, ensuring customer requirements, service levels and strict GDP quality standards are consistently achieved.

If you enjoy working in a specialist environment where attention to detail, customer service and operational expertise really matter, this could be an excellent next step.

The Role

As an Air Freight Operator within the Pharma/healthcare division, you’ll take ownership of the day-to-day operational management of pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments, ensuring everything runs smoothly, compliantly and efficiently.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing air freight shipments from initial booking through to final delivery.

• Coordinating international pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments in accordance with GDP requirements.

• Handling customer enquiries, providing updates and maintaining excellent customer relationships.

• Preparing spot quotations, obtaining competitive rates and coordinating with airlines and external suppliers.

• Ensuring all shipments are prepared and processed in line with internal SOPs, quality procedures and customer requirements.

• Monitoring shipment progress and proactively resolving operational issues or delays.

• Maintaining accurate shipment documentation and ensuring compliance with international air freight and customs regulations.

• Managing non-conformities, customer complaints and claims, ensuring appropriate corrective action is taken.

• Checking supplier invoices, managing customer invoicing and completing shipment accounting.

• Working closely with internal departments, overseas offices and external partners to deliver a consistently high level of service.

What We’re Looking For

• At least 2-5 years’ experience within international air freight operations.

• Previous experience handling pharmaceutical, healthcare or life sciences shipments is highly desirable.

• Good understanding of GDP regulations and pharmaceutical logistics quality requirements.

• Experience managing air freight shipments independently from start to finish.

• Strong customer service and communication skills.

• Good knowledge of international freight forwarding procedures and customs documentation.

• CargoWise experience would be advantageous.

• Fluent English is essential; German language skills would be a significant advantage.

• A proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach with excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to an established team.

WR Logistics are a leading recruitment partner for the logistics and supply chain industry, recruiting across the UK, Europe, and the USA for permanent opportunities.

WR Logistics is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy