Own global ocean freight procurement and carrier management. Secure competitive Buy rates and committed space on priority trade lanes, build long-term strategic carrier partnerships, and supply timely cost and capacity input to bids and regions, so that the network can grow volume at a sustainable cost base.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Ocean freight rate procurement & carrier contracting
- Plan and run annual and periodic carrier tenders for priority trade lanes in line with the Ocean trade lane plan.
- Negotiate base rates, surcharges, free time (demurrage & detention) and contract terms, aligned with HQ Standards & Governance requirements.
Volume commitment & space security
- Set and negotiate MQC / allocation levels with carriers based on regional volume forecasts; track weekly utilisation vs. commitment and act on shortfall or overflow.
- Secure space in peak season and disruption periods; manage allocation sharing across regions and escalation with carriers.
- Manager booking distribution to monitor GM performance.
Carrier relationship & performance management
- Define the strategic carrier portfolio per trade lane; hold regular business reviews with key carriers at HQ level.
Trade lane service analysis
- Analyse carrier services, transit times, routings and reliability by lane; recommend carrier mix and service options for each trade lane.
- Provide buy-side analysis to Strategy & Performance for trade lane planning, target-setting and performance review.
Bid support – cost & capacity
- Provide buy rates, carrier options and space confirmation for RFQs and tenders within agreed turnaround times;
- Work with the Manager, Commercial & Bid Management, who owns the customer-facing price and bid submission; ensure awarded volume is reflected in carrier commitments.
Market intelligence & regional enablement
- Publish regular market updates (rate trends, capacity, blank sailings, GRI/PSS, regulatory changes) to regions, sales and management.
- Set procurement processes and rate-data standards in the system; coach and coordinate regional ocean procurement staff.
ESSENTIAL JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Technical Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Shipping, Logistics, Supply Chain, International Business or related field.
- Fluent business English (written and spoken); Mandarin is an advantage.
- Advanced Excel; experience with rate management / TMS and BI tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau).
Knowledge/ Work Experience
- 10+ years in ocean freight with a forwarder/NVOCC or carrier, including 3–5 years in carrier procurement or carrier management with direct responsibility for negotiating service contracts.
- Strong knowledge of major trade lanes (Transpacific, Asia–Europe, Intra-Asia), carrier alliances, MQC management, surcharge structures and D&D.
- Working knowledge of FMC / NVOCC service-contract rules and Incoterms; experience working with multiple regions and time zones.
Key Behavioral Competencies
- Negotiation and influencing skills; able to hold firm positions with senior carrier counterparts.
- Analytical and commercial acumen – turns data into procurement decisions on cost, risk and capacity.
- Relationship building, cross-cultural collaboration and resilience in a volatile market; high integrity.