The Head of Air Freight & Ocean, Americas is responsible for leading, developing, and executing the air freight and ocean strategy across the Americas region. This senior leadership role is critical to driving growth, profitability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction within the air freight product. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of the air freight and ocean business, including P&L management, operations, capacity management, vendor relationships, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Specific responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

Develop and execute the airfreight and ocean strategy for the Americas, aligning with overall corporate and global objectives. Lead and oversee air freight and ocean operations across the Americas, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services while meeting financial and operational goals. Identify opportunities for growth and expansion within the region, including new markets, services, and partnerships. Collaborate with the global air freight and ocean leadership team to ensure consistency in operations, service standards, and product offerings.

Operational Management

Oversee all airfreight and ocean operations, including capacity planning, carrier management, pricing strategies, and performance monitoring. Ensure service standards are met while optimizing cost efficiency and maximizing profitability. Optimize the use of technology and data analytics to improve operational performance, visibility, and customer satisfaction. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service quality, operational efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Implement best practices in operational processes, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and quality standards.

Customer Relationship Management

Manage relationships with key customers, carriers, and partners, ensuring effective service delivery. Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers in the region. Work closely with the sales team to identify customer needs and tailor air freight solutions to meet those needs.

Vendor and Carrier Management

Establish and manage relationships with airlines, ocean freight carriers, handling agents, and other key suppliers to ensure capacity, cost efficiency, and service quality. Negotiate contracts and agreements with vendors to secure favorable terms and optimize supply chain performance. Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of airfreight and ocean professionals, fostering a culture of high performance.

Team Leadership and Development

Encourage professional development and provide training to ensure team capabilities align with business requirements. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation. Ensure that talent development and succession planning are in place to support the long-term growth of the business.

Financial Performance & Budgeting

Manage the financial performance of the air freight and ocean division in the Americas, including revenue, cost control, and profitability. Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive operational efficiency and financial performance. Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for the air freight and ocean business in the region.

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure full compliance with international and domestic regulatory requirements for air freight and ocean operations. Mitigate operational risks by implementing and maintaining robust safety, security, and compliance procedures. Stay current on industry trends, regulations, and best practices to ensure the company’s air freight and ocean operations remain competitive and compliant.

Key Attributes: 

Strategic Visionary:

Ability to create and execute a clear and compelling commercial strategy that aligns with the company’s broader business goals. Forward-thinking with a strong understanding of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market shifts.

Customer-Centric Leader:

Passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences and building long-lasting client relationships. Strong understanding of Customer Needs and the ability to translate these into actionable strategies.

Results-Oriented:

Proven ability to drive revenue growth and expand market share in competitive environments. Track record of achieving and exceeding sales and marketing goals through innovative approaches.

Collaborative Communicator:

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve high performance.

Data-Driven Decision Maker:

Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to inform commercial strategies and decisions. Experience in using metrics and KPIs to measure success and optimize performance.

Resilient and Adaptable:

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and effectively manage change. Strong problem-solving skills with the capacity to navigate complex challenges.

In addition, the candidate for this position should possess the following:

Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field; an MBA is preferred. 15+ years of experience in airfreight and ocean logistics, with at least 10 years in a senior management role. Strong understanding of airfreight and ocean regulations, market dynamics, and operational requirements. Proven track record in driving commercial success and leading large, cross-functional teams. Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills. Ability to think strategically while also focusing on detailed operational execution. Strong analytical and decision-making abilities. Demonstrated leadership in managing multicultural teams. Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Ability to travel frequently, globally.