Operations & Supply Chain

Freight Procurement and Carrier Management

Freight costs are volatile and carrier performance directly affects customer service. This course covers buying and managing freight: understanding freight markets, tendering road, sea and air freight, rate structures and surcharges, carrier selection, contracts, performance management and freight audit.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Smarter freight procurement can save significant costs while improving service. You will learn how professional shippers buy and manage transport.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Tender design exercises, rate analysis, carrier scorecards and case studies.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Understand freight markets and pricing
Prepare and run freight tenders
Analyse rates, surcharges and accessorials
Select and contract carriers
Monitor carrier performance
Audit freight invoices

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Logistics and transport managers
Freight procurement specialists
Supply chain managers
Procurement professionals
Export and import managers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Freight tendering
Rate analysis
Carrier selection
Performance management
Freight audit

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Freight Markets

09:00–10:08Road, sea and air markets
10:08–11:00Market dynamics
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Market dynamics (continued)
11:45–12:53Pricing drivers
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Tendering

09:00–10:08Lane data
10:08–11:00Tender design
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Tender design (continued)
11:45–12:53Bid evaluation
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Rates and Contracts

09:00–10:08Rate structures
10:08–11:00Surcharges
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Surcharges (continued)
11:45–12:53Contract terms
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Carrier Management

09:00–10:08Scorecards
10:08–11:00Reviews
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Reviews (continued)
11:45–12:53Capacity management
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Freight Audit

09:00–10:08Invoice audit
10:08–11:00Claims
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Claims (continued)
11:45–12:53Cost reporting
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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