Country Air Procurement Manager

Our client, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management, is seeking a Country Procurement Manager to lead procurement efforts and establish long-term, trusted relationships with core suppliers. This role is pivotal in ensuring airfreight product strategies are aligned and volumes develop according to trade lanes, customer, and vertical budgets.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure airfreight products and strategies are properly set up, with volumes developing as per aligned trade lanes, customer, and vertical budgets
• Align with the country’s commercial head on commercial and product strategies, and review the pipeline to define the right trade lane focus, leveraging internal capabilities, resources, and market data
• Build and maintain strong relationships with country-level decision-makers of core carriers and GSAs
• Monitor and control core carriers' performance in coordination with the operation and procurement teams, implementing performance reviews and action plans
• Integrate all available carriers (or their GSAs) into the country’s operations, ensuring contracts and bank guarantees are aligned with the regional head
• Comply with global core carrier policies for top trade lanes by evaluating carriers' performance and establishing objectives aligned with the regional head
• Lead the local procurement team, supporting them in delivering competitive rates and services while fostering collaboration
• Develop local tariffs with approved subcontractors, managing supplier performance through cost checks and audits
• Collaborate with sales management, airfreight operations, and trade lane managers to explore business opportunities
• Negotiate rates for key accounts and high-volume trade lanes with regional/global core carriers, securing beneficial agreements
• Maintain competitive tariffs and ensure they are updated by the respective PIC (e.g., CTS)
• Lead the procurement team to adopt a consolidation-oriented approach to shipment planning and pricing
• Foster collaboration between procurement and operations teams during the booking phase, enhancing alignment and efficiency
• Utilise digital procurement and booking platforms to streamline processes and increase efficiency
• Monitor bookings, intervening in specific cases to maximise profitability
• Explore alternative routes and service offerings with a dynamic and solution-oriented mindset
• Monitor business cases, assess risks, and generate investment ideas aligned with global product growth strategies
• Support the implementation of newly acquired business, working with airfreight operations and other stakeholders
• Establish infrastructure for potential gateway setups within the country, ensuring capabilities and flexibility
• Act as a channel for market intelligence, providing insights to the commercial head of the country within the framework set by the Regional Product Head
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes affecting the airfreight industry, initiating required actions/changes

Requirements:

• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to motivate a team to achieve targets and drive performance improvements
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, with the ability to identify opportunities and develop strategic plans to improve profitability and service quality
• Deep knowledge of Profit & Loss (P&L) management, with experience implementing initiatives to positively impact financial performance
• Extensive 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
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey strategies, goals, and expectations to team members and stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve common objectives
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop creative solutions to overcome challenges and drive continuous improvement
• Commitment to achieving measurable results and driving performance improvements in line with organisational objectives

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in a global company, driving procurement success and enhancing the company’s presence in the logistics and airfreight sectors.