Freight Manager

This position will report to the CEO / CMO.

Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement freight strategies focused on sea and air freight to support company growth and profitability.
• Plan and execute expansion into key trade lanes and regions to strengthen global network coverage.
• Align operational objectives with business goals to ensure competitiveness and sustainability.
• Drive collaboration with internal divisions (transportation, warehousing, customs brokerage) for seamless logistics solutions.

2. Sea Freight & Air Freight Operations

• Oversee end-to-end operations for sea and air freight (import/export) to ensure efficient cargo flow and service quality.
• Negotiate space allocations, freight rates, and contracts with carriers, airlines, and consolidators.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation — bill of lading, airway bill, manifest, and customs clearance.
• Monitor vessel/flight schedules, transshipment coordination, and cargo handling efficiency.
• Implement contingency plans for delays, capacity issues, or disruptions in global freight movement.

3. Commercial & Business Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with shipping lines, airlines, and key logistics partners.
• Negotiate competitive freight rates and service agreements to enhance profitability.
• Collaborate with the sales team to develop and execute strategic customer acquisition plans.
• Identify opportunities for value-added services such as cargo insurance, warehousing, and supply chain visibility solutions.

4. Financial Management

• Prepare and control departmental budgets, forecasts, and financial performance metrics.
• Analyze cost structures and implement cost-optimization strategies for both air and sea freight operations.
• Approve major quotations, carrier contracts, and vendor payments in alignment with company policy.
• Provide management with regular P&L analysis, revenue tracking, and operational cost insights.

5. Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all sea and air freight operations comply with international trade laws, IATA, IMO, and customs regulations.
• Oversee documentation accuracy, cargo insurance, and security compliance (e.g., CTPAT, ISPS).
• Mitigate operational risks related to cargo loss, damage, or delay through proactive management and training.
• Lead audits and ensure adherence to safety, quality, and environmental standards.

6. Leadership & People Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a capable team of freight managers, operations staff, and customer service executives.
• Set clear KPIs and foster a performance-driven, customer-focused culture.
• Facilitate training on international freight forwarding, carrier relations, and documentation systems.
• Encourage cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.

7. Customer Focus & Service Excellence

• Maintain close communication with key clients to ensure service satisfaction and issue resolution.
• Monitor service quality metrics including delivery timelines, claim rates, and customer feedback.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational visibility and reliability.
• Promote a strong customer service culture within the freight department.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 10–15 years of experience in freight forwarding with strong expertise in sea and air freight operations.
• Proven leadership experience in managing international logistics and carrier relationships.
• Comprehensive knowledge of IATA, IMO, customs, and trade compliance procedures.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in freight management systems, TMS, and digital freight platforms.
• Language Proficiency: English, Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin. We are seeking candidates proficient in Mandarin to effectively communicate with Mandarin-speaking clients.

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