Job Purpose:

This role is responsible for developing and managing an Air freight capability/organization, which at its end-state offers clients the network and the customer experience expected of a leading global logistics company in the sector.

This includes putting our branch office/agency operations model in place and leading the standardization and optimization of processes across the organization to ensure efficiency, scalability and quality.

This role oversees and drives the company's Air freight business's strategic direction, operations, and growth. This position requires a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the logistics and Air industry, who can lead teams, develop business strategies, and achieve ambitious goals.

Key Accountabilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute the Air freight division's strategic vision and long-term goals.
• Identify market trends, opportunities, and threats to inform business strategies.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service quality and efficiency.
• Lead the development and creation of the Airfreight network.
• Work with internal teams to create pricing models for the various modes of transportation.
• Work with regional heads freight forwarding operations for the implementation of the solutions.

Operational Excellence:

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Airfreight division, ensuring adherence to safety, compliance, and quality standards.
• Optimize processes to improve cargo handling, routing, and delivery times.
• Manage budgets, cost control, and resource allocation effectively.
• Obtain all licenses and certifications to ensure compliancy with rules and regulations (e.g. dangerous good, hazardous materials)

Business Development:

• Identify and pursue growth opportunities within the Airfreight industry.
• Expand the customer base and strengthen client relationships to drive revenue growth.
• Participate in customer meetings when specific technical capabilities are required.
• Build and manage strong collaborative relationships with all stakeholders connecting our business units with Air capability know-how and alignment of trade-lane strategy.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with Airlines, suppliers, and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with tender and solution teams to offer competitive offerings to actual/potential customers.
• Maintain a customer-centric approach, striving for exceptional service and satisfaction.
• Address customer inquiries, concerns, and feedback promptly and effectively.

Regional Procurement Strategy:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global procurement strategy for air freight services in the region in alignment with global procurement strategy.
• Identify and establish relationships with strategic suppliers and negotiate favourable terms and agreements on regional level.
• Monitor market trends and fluctuations in pricing to make informed procurement decisions.

Pricing Strategy:

• Analyze market conditions, competition, and cost structures to develop effective internal pricing strategies.
• Collaborate with sales and operations teams to ensure pricing aligns with customer needs and company objectives.
• Optimize pricing models to maximise revenue and profitability.

Contract Management:

• Oversee the negotiation, creation, and management of contracts with carriers and suppliers on regional level in alignment with corporate.
• Ensure contractual terms and conditions compliance, including service level agreements and pricing structures.
• Review and amend contracts as necessary to adapt to changing business needs.

Team Leadership:

• Build and lead a high-performing team of managers and professionals.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to regions and team members, fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture.
• Ensure the development and training of staff to meet business objectives.

Financial Management:

• Develop and manage the division's budget, revenue targets, and financial performance.
• Monitor financial KPIs, analyse financial reports, and make data-driven decisions to achieve profitability.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all relevant aviation and logistics regulations, including safety, security, and customs requirements.
• Implement best practices to mitigate risks and ensure legal compliance.

Sustainability :

• Promote environmentally responsible practices within the Airfreight division.
• Explore eco-friendly and sustainable solutions to reduce the division's carbon footprint.

Support M&A in the field of Airfreight forwarding to accelerate growth plans.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills:

• A senior professional - Minimum 15 years senior management experience within Freight Forwarding and Logistics who has covered all facets of Air freight in a previous career
• Proven track record in general management, preferably in a multinational environment. He or she will have significant experience in managing cross-functional team and will have demonstrated success and accountability for results.
• Successful management of all key stakeholder relationships including shareholders and external government agencies.
• Advanced knowledge of logistics processes, security procedures and protocols pertaining to freight forwarding. Focus is on Air freight but a sound understanding of the entire logistics industry will be a benefit.
• Aware of new developments in the industry including index-based pricing, client carrier contracts around AFFA (air freight future agreements), marketplaces/platforms, new risk management tools and a clear understanding of digital transformation
• Ability to benchmark with industry to evaluate and assess/manage business operations and opportunities.
• Strong negotiator and a self-starter who can adapt to stressful environments by using a sociable but firm approach and engendering trust and integrity.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate, develop and encourage others to positively contribute to business goals and objectives.
• High level analytical, conceptual and problem-solving skills.
• Strong commitment to client service excellence with the ability to build solid relationships.
Experience in navigating structures, bureaucracies, and decision-making systems of large multinational corporations.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Internal:

• Region / Cluster Freight Forwarding Responsible (collaboration).
• Region / Cluster Heads of Air Freight (collaboration).
• Regional Air Freight organisations as we continue to build it up.
• Internal Freight Forwarding community – Air Freight Regions.
• Other Product Vertical reporting to CCO Group / CCO Logistics (Contract Logistics, Market Access, LLP, etc...) to identify opportunities and leverage capabilities/assets (collaboration).
• Other Pillars (Ports & Terminals, Marine Services) to identify opportunities and leverage capabilities/assets (collaboration).

External:

Customers, Air Carriers, Industry Organisations, Logistics providers (e.g. RFS, GHA), stakeholders and agents.

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