In this edition, we catch up with A&S Recruitment’s Amanda Harrold to explore the current logistics recruitment market in Felixstowe, the opportunities available to recent college leavers, and how those starting out in the industry can build a long-term career.

Felixstowe remains at the heart of the UK’s container logistics industry, and when trade volumes are strong, the demand for people across the supply chain follows.

At the moment, employers are recruiting across shipping, freight forwarding, transport, warehousing and customs, with particular demand for Import and Export Clerks, Customs Clearance Operators, Shipping Coordinators, Transport Planners, Fleet Controllers and Freight Forwarders. There continues to be demand for warehouse professionals too.

For Amanda, the current recruitment market reflects the increasing expectations being placed on businesses across the sector.

“Many businesses are looking to strengthen their teams as customer expectations around speed, service and compliance continue to increase,” she explains. “Companies are looking for people who can adapt quickly, communicate effectively and contribute to a fast-moving environment.”

A sector offering opportunities at every level

One of the most encouraging aspects of the current market is that opportunities aren’t limited to experienced logistics professionals. Amanda is also seeing opportunities for people leaving college who may have little or no previous industry experience.

For college leavers, employers are often more interested in attitude than experience. Reliability, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn can be just as important as previous employment, particularly when combined with strong communication skills, attention to detail and confidence using technology.

For those who have already gained about a year of experience in logistics or shipping, expectations naturally begin to change. Employers are looking for a deeper understanding of processes and greater confidence when dealing with customers, suppliers and transport providers.

“At this stage, candidates begin to stand out because they can add value from day one and require less training,” says Amanda.

That first year can therefore be an important stepping stone, helping people not only develop their skills but also start to understand which direction they would like their career to take.

More than just moving goods

For someone who has never considered a career in shipping or logistics, it can be difficult to appreciate just how many opportunities exist within the industry.

In Felixstowe in particular, there are career paths across shipping, freight forwarding, transport planning, customs, warehousing, supply chain management, sales, customer service, and operations.

It’s also an industry directly connected to global trade, offering people the opportunity to be part of something much bigger than their individual role.

“Many people don’t realise just how many career paths exist within logistics,” Amanda says. “It’s a sector that supports global trade, so there’s a real sense of being connected to something much bigger.”

Another attraction is the potential for progression. While qualifications can be valuable, Amanda points out that progression within logistics is often driven by ability, commitment and a willingness to learn.

A person starting in an entry-level position can, over time, develop into a specialist or management role. In Felixstowe’s close-knit logistics community, there are plenty of examples of people who have built long, successful careers after starting at the junior level.

Attitude can make all the difference

Previous experience is undoubtedly valuable, but for entry-level positions, attitude is often the deciding factor.

Employers can teach systems and processes, but qualities such as reliability, professionalism, enthusiasm and a strong work ethic are much harder to teach. Candidates who ask questions, show initiative, and genuinely want to build a career often progress much faster than those who see the role as just a job.

The fast-moving nature of logistics also means that adaptability is increasingly important. As technology, customer expectations and processes continue to evolve, employers need people who are willing to develop new skills throughout their careers.

For those who have already gained a year of experience, this can begin to open up more specialised opportunities. Candidates may progress into areas such as customs clearance, freight forwarding, shipping operations or transport planning, while others may take on greater responsibility, manage key accounts or move into supervisory positions.

The sector offers numerous routes for progression, with employers often willing to invest in people who demonstrate potential and commitment.

Getting your foot in the door

For anyone considering starting a career in logistics, or taking their next step, Amanda’s advice is simple: keep an open mind and be proactive.

“Logistics is one of the UK’s most important industries, and Felixstowe sits at the centre of it,” she says. “Whether you are leaving education, changing career or looking for your next challenge, there are opportunities available for people with the right attitude.”

And for those without direct logistics experience, a lack of industry knowledge shouldn’t necessarily be a barrier.

Amanda encourages candidates to focus on the transferable skills they already have, be willing to learn, and take advantage of opportunities to build their industry knowledge. Once that first opportunity is secured, the range of available career paths can be surprisingly broad.

“The logistics industry has always been about keeping goods moving. Right now, it is also helping people move their careers forward.”

With its unique logistics community and concentration of businesses across the sector, Felixstowe offers an environment where people can start small and build something much bigger.

For A&S Recruitment, that’s what makes the current market particularly exciting. Many of the people placed by the 20-year-old recruitment company started out in junior roles, developing their skills, taking on greater responsibility, and have gone on to build long, successful, and rewarding careers within the industry.

For anyone considering logistics as a career choice, there could be no better time to explore where that first step might lead.

www.aandsrecruitment.com

The UK logistics sector is undergoing a massive structural transformation, but it isn’t just happening in boardroom meetings or isolated IT departments. According to recent workforce data*, a staggering 60% of logistics roles are undergoing AI-driven transformation, turning traditional manual tasks into “hybrid” positions in which humans guide automated workflows. As the director of the specialist recruitment agency, A&S Recruitment, Amanda Harrold talks to employers every day, and their priorities have fundamentally rewritten the standard resume. Standing out today isn’t about collecting complex IT degrees; it’s about understanding how your specific role fits into a smarter, faster network.

Whether you are a forklift driver in a Midlands distribution hub or a senior transport planner in Felixstowe, the best asset a candidate seeking a new role can bring to a business right now is a practical willingness to understand the potential of Artificial Intelligence.

“You don’t need to learn how to code AI to benefit from it,” says Amanda. “But you do need to understand how it helps you do your job. If you’re on a forklift, it might be an AI system that is optimising your pick route to save you time and energy. If you’re in planning, it’s about using automated forecasts to prevent stock shortages. Embracing these tools, rather than fearing them, is what gives a candidate true standout.”

Our supply chain is frequently criticised for a shortage of digital skills. But those companies using AI are not looking to technology simply as a means of headcount reduction. Instead, they are actively hunting for talent which can collaborate with machines and reskill their current staff to take on higher-value, tech-driven roles.

Amanda continues: “As technology handles more of the routine, repetitive tasks, a massive premium is now being placed on those advanced human skills that machines simply cannot replicate. As automated systems break down traditional operational barriers, employers are now seeking those individuals with high emotional intelligence and persuasive communication skills.

“We are seeing an unprecedented demand for people who excel at collaboration and crisis management. When a UK supply chain is disrupted by port congestion or shipping delays, AI can flag the data pattern instantly. Still, it takes human empathy, negotiation, and relationship-building to solve the problem with the client.”

The future of UK logistics belongs to the professional who is comfortable working alongside smart technology but truly shines in human interaction. Amanda adds, “Upskilling doesn’t mean sitting in a rigid classroom for months; it starts with a mindset shift. By combining a practical curiosity for new digital tools with sharp interpersonal skills, any candidate can ensure they remain indispensable.”

*Motor Transport

In a move that formalises its long-standing dedication to operational integrity, A&S Recruitment is proud to announce it has officially achieved ISO 9001 accreditation. This international gold standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS) serves as a definitive validation of the agency’s “quality at every stage” philosophy.

Becky Crevald, Recruitment Consultant at A&S Recruitment, says, “For the team here, this isn’t about changing how we work; it is about the peace of mind that comes knowing that audited, world-class processes back our high standards. And while many agencies rely on the individual intuition of their consultants, we have now systemised the team’s expertise into audited, best-practice workflows that ensure reliability is a constant, rather than a happy accident.”

A&S Recruitment’s ISO 9001 journey has been driven by a desire to deliver high-level recruitment while maintaining corporate discipline. By implementing streamlined workflows and documented procedures, the company has significantly reduced the margin for error, resulting in faster response times and enhanced service delivery.

“Achieving this certification proves that as we scale, our standards remain immovable,” continues Becky. “We wanted to demonstrate to our clients that our internal governance is as robust as the global corporations we represent. Importantly, ISO also provides a foundation for growth that doesn’t compromise the personal touch we are known for.”

For clients, particularly those in highly regulated sectors or the company’s large-scale logistics clients, this accreditation also provides an additional layer of risk mitigation.

“Candidates also stand to benefit,” says Becky. “The ISO framework reinforces a culture of fairness and consistency, ensuring that every applicant experiences a professional and transparent journey. This level of accountability differentiates us in an increasingly crowded marketplace, positioning A&S as a partner of choice for those who value integrity as much as results.”

Amanda Harrold, Managing Director of A&S Recruitment, adds: “Quality recruitment shouldn’t depend on who picks up the phone on a given day.

“By embedding a culture of continuous improvement, we ensure our processes evolve alongside the market, which enables us to then deliver a fair and superior experience for every candidate.  We are now better equipped to handle complex recruitment requirements whilst still maintaining the agility for which we are renowned.

“A massive thank you goes to the entire team for the effort required by all to reach this milestone. Securing ISO 9001 feels like we’ve laid a transformative foundation for the business, one that reinforces our values and will guide the future direction of A&S Recruitment.”

As conversations about workforce composition continue, more employers are recognising that age, diversity, and, specifically, the inclusion of experienced professionals deliver tangible business benefits.

Becky Crevald of A&S Recruitment says: “Recent research underscores the value older workers bring to organisations. The OECD’s 2025 Employment Outlook* highlights that retaining older employees helps preserve critical skills and knowledge, boosts productivity, and strengthens overall workforce capability.”

At A&S Recruitment, this isn’t just theory. Becky explains: “We’ve always focused on hiring people for their skills, values, and what they bring to our team. That approach has led to a team that includes six members aged over 50, all of whom make a meaningful contribution every day.”

She adds that experience strengthens both culture and performance. “What we see daily is the value of sound judgement, mentorship, and perspective, qualities developed over a working life that benefit the whole organisation,” Becky notes.

Amanda Harrold, Managing Director at A&S Recruitment, adds: “Being an age-inclusive employer isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about recognising real value where it exists. By combining practical experience with the energy of younger colleagues, age-inclusive teams can drive productivity, stability, and innovation, proving that experience is not just a demographic statistic, but a strategic advantage.”

* https://tinyurl.com/4dn68aad

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Five years on from Covid, the hiring market still seems to be shaped by pre-pandemic thinking. Employers are increasingly being challenged to rethink long-held assumptions about what makes a “good” candidate, yet some outdated measures persist. One of the most common is the belief that a CV showing multiple short tenures signals unreliability, when in reality, that interpretation is becoming increasingly out of step with today’s workforce.

“For years, longevity was treated as shorthand for loyalty and performance,” says Anji Smith of A&S Recruitment. “Whilst the world of work has changed exponentially since Covid, we are still seeing employers use pre-pandemic measures of success to assess candidates.”

Since COVID-19, professionals have reassessed what they want from their careers, placing greater emphasis on health, flexibility, aligning their work/life balance and personal growth. As a result, career paths have become less linear. A series of shorter roles may not indicate indecision, but rather resilience in the face of disruption.

“A so-called ‘jumpy’ CV can tell a story of adaptation,” explains Anji. “It can show someone who has navigated forced redundancies, stepped away from toxic environments, or deliberately moved roles to upskill.”

Rather than being a red flag, mobility can be a marker of self-awareness. Candidates who know what doesn’t work for them are often clearer about what does. Many bring advantages that longer-tenured employees may not: faster onboarding, exposure to diverse systems and cultures, and the confidence to deliver impact quickly.

“These candidates are often very effective,” continues Anji. “They’ve had to learn fast, build relationships quickly, and prove themselves again and again.”

The risk for employers lies in making snap judgments based solely on what looks good on paper. Dismissing candidates who have held multiple positions outright can mean missing out on high-performing talent that aligns strongly with the role and an organisation’s real needs.

Looking beyond surface-level patterns and taking the time to understand both the employer’s objectives and the candidate’s context, Amanda Harrold, managing director of A&S Recruitment, adds: “A recruiter’s job isn’t to send the safest CV, it’s to find the right match. Today’s employment market is defined by change, and it is those employers who embrace nuance, context and expert guidance that will be best placed to secure the talent that moves their business forward.”

A&S Recruitment announces the launch of a new Engineering & Manufacturing division.  With 15 years of experience in engineering-focused roles, Anji Smith has joined the Felixstowe-based recruitment agency to head up its timely and exciting new division.

Anji says: “Having relocated from Rochester to Stowmarket just over two years ago, and whilst looking to join a recruitment business that shares my values, I have been immersing myself in the raft of opportunities the region presents.

“Suffolk is on the brink of something really special. With developments such as Gateway 14 and Sizewell C creating huge potential for growth, innovation and skilled employment, I’m thrilled to be joining a team that is keen to expand both geographically and technically.”

A&S’s new division will focus on engineering and manufacturing roles, supporting businesses with the specialist skills they need to scale and succeed.

Anji continues, “At the heart of the division is a relationship-led approach to recruitment, prioritising quality over volume and cultural fit over numbers. By working closely with both clients and candidates, our aim is facilitate placements that deliver real, long-term value.”

Believing that building strong partnerships is key to any successful recruitment campaign, Anji adds: “It’s about listening, being transparent, and making sure the right people are matched with the right businesses for the right reasons.”

This new division will also bridge opportunities between A&S Recruitment’s existing client base and the new prospects emerging across Suffolk and beyond, helping companies tap into the region’s growing talent pool.

Anji’s career move was driven by professional passion, but her reason for relocating to Suffolk was refreshingly simple. She explains: “My two Border Collies had outgrown our old house! Suffolk offered everything we were looking for – open countryside, amazing locations, friendly communities, and a genuine work/life balance. Moving here has been the best decision both personally and professionally.”

Amanda Harrold, managing director of A&S Recruitment, adds: “We are thrilled to welcome Anji to A&S, and her appointment marks an exciting step in the company’s evolution.

“With a wave of infrastructure projects already underway in Suffolk and more in the pipeline, our recruitment expertise and reputation mean that A&S is ideally placed to lead the way, connecting the right people with the right businesses to drive growth and success across East Anglia.”