Country Air Procurement Manager

Our client is a global logistics and supply chain company with a long history of success. We are looking for a Country Procurement Manager.

This position will lead procurement efforts, with the goal of strengthening and establishing long-term, trusted, and transparent relationships with core suppliers.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that airfreight products and strategies are properly set up and volumes are developing well within the country, based on aligned trade lanes, customer, and vertical budgets
• Align with the commercial head of the country on commercial and product strategies, reviewing the pipeline to define the right trade lane focus, understanding internal capabilities, resources, and market data
• Build and maintain good relationships with core carriers’ country-level decision-makers and GSAs
• Monitor and control core carriers’ performance in alignment with the operation and procurement teams, enforcing a methodology of performance reviews and action plans
• Integrate with all available carriers (or their appointed GSAs) in the country, taking necessary steps in terms of contracts and bank guarantees aligned with the regional head
• Comply with global core carrier policy for top trade lanes by evaluating carriers’ performance and feasibility, establishing objectives aligned with the regional head
• Maintain a high-performing local procurement team by supporting and collaborating with the team to deliver the best rates and services
• Ensure the development of local tariffs with approved subcontractors and manage supplier performance, including cost checks and audits
• Coordinate with sales management, airfreight operations, and trade lane managers to capture or seek business opportunities
• Negotiate rates for key accounts and high-volume trade lanes with regional/global core carriers and ensure beneficial agreements
• Maintain competitive tariffs (buying and suggested selling) in the respective region and ensure they are maintained by the respective PIC (eg, CTS)
• Lead the procurement team to adopt a consolidation-oriented approach for shipments, ensuring alignment in shipment planning and pricing
• Foster collaboration between the procurement and operations teams during the booking phase
• Utilise digital procurement and booking platforms to enhance efficiency
• Monitor bookings and get involved in specific cases to increase profitability
• Apply dynamic thinking to explore alternative routes and service offerings
• Monitor business cases, assess risks, and generate investment ideas aligned with the global product growth strategy
• Support the implementation of newly acquired business in collaboration with the airfreight operation team and other stakeholders
• Establish infrastructure for potential gateway setups within the country, considering capabilities, feasibility, and flexibility
• Serve as a channel for market intelligence, ensuring actionable and insightful information is shared with the commercial head of the country within frameworks set by the Regional Product Head
• Continuously monitor market trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes affecting the airfreight industry, initiating required actions/changes within the organisation

Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team to achieve targets and drive performance improvements
• Capacity to understand market dynamics, identify opportunities, and develop strategic plans to improve profitability and service quality
• Strong understanding of Profit & Loss (P&L) management and experience in implementing initiatives to positively impact financial performance
• Deep understanding of the airfreight industry, including market trends, regulations, and operational best practices
• Ability to make informed decisions within the framework set by higher management, balancing short-term goals with long-term objectives
• Proven track record of developing and implementing initiatives to enhance service offerings and improve customer satisfaction
• Effective communication skills to convey strategies, goals, and expectations to team members and stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to drive alignment and achieve common objectives
• Aptitude for identifying challenges and developing creative solutions to overcome them, ensuring continuous improvement
• Commitment to achieving measurable results and driving performance improvements in line with organisational objectives