Global Ocean Freight Procurement Manager

Procurement Specialist

The Procurement Specialist plays a crucial role in securing competitive rates from ocean carriers, supporting our sales teams in pricing freight forwarding services.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead Negotiations: Secure competitive rates by negotiating with ocean carriers for FAKs, bundled rates, and contract agreements.
2. Secure Carrier Relationships: Establish strategic relationships with core and non-core carriers to ensure competitive pricing.
3. Monitor Carrier Performance: Ensure compliance with Minimum Quantity Commitments (MQCs) and agreed terms.
4. Support Ocean Procurement Strategy: Implement and align the ocean procurement strategy with business objectives.
5. Tender Management: Oversee the receipt, registration, and timely response to tenders and RFQs, maintaining a comprehensive repository of submissions.
6. Pricing Proposals: Prepare clear and competitive proposals in collaboration with the tender management team.
7. Market Insights: Provide value-added information to support sales and improve win rates.
8. Pricing Model Development: Develop and maintain a comprehensive pricing model that aligns with market conditions and business goals.
9. Manage Oceantariff Templates: Ensure accuracy and timely updates.
10. Analyze Rate Sensitivity: Analyze price sensitivity and profitability, making recommendations for revenue adjustments and margin improvements.
11. Communicate Pricing Adjustments: Communicate pricing adjustments to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and clarity.
12. Market Intelligence: Collect, analyze, and distribute market intelligence to relevant teams, providing updates on rate trends, carrier behaviors, and market dynamics.
13. Regional Pricing Inquiries: Act as a central point of contact for regional pricing inquiries, offering insights into local and global market conditions.
14. Procurement Performance Feedback: Provide feedback on procurement performance, identifying areas for improvement and aligning with the global product strategy.
15. Ocean Freight Products: Contribute to the development of ocean freight products, aligning definitions with global standards.
16. Product Training: Support product training initiatives, ensuring the sales team is equipped with up-to-date knowledge.
17. Customer Requirements: Align product offerings with customer requirements, collaborating with commercial teams to ensure competitive advantage.
18. Carrier Relationships: Maintain and enhance relationships with ocean carriers, driving long-term partnerships and improved procurement results.
19. Negotiate FCL and LCL Services: Coordinate negotiations for FCL and LCL services, focusing on competitive pricing and value-added solutions.
20. Operational Issues: Address operational issues with carriers, acting as an escalation point and ensuring timely resolution.
21. Procurement Efficiency: Ensure efficiency in procurement processes, supporting the creation of minimum selling rate guidelines and aligning with regional procurement strategies.
22. Data Integrity: Maintain data integrity within the rate management system, ensuring accurate information is accessible to relevant stakeholders.
23. Procurement Performance Reports: Provide regular reports on procurement performance, rate competitiveness, and carrier utilization.
24. Team Collaboration: Communicate effectively with regional and global teams, ensuring alignment on procurement goals and strategies.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

1. Rate Competitiveness: Secure competitive rates aligned with market benchmarks and tender requirements.
2. Tender Success: Ensure accurate, timely, and competitive tender submissions with a focus on high win rates.
3. Rate Management Accuracy: Maintain accuracy and timely updates in rate management systems.
4. Carrier Utilization: Fulfil Minimum Quantity Commitments (MQCs) and strengthen key carrier relationships.
5. Procurement Efficiency: Enhance rate negotiation processes, ensuring faster responses and continuous improvements.
6. Margin Improvement: Drive margin improvements through effective rate negotiations and cost-saving measures.
7. Sales Support: Ensure prompt and accurate responses to sales rate inquiries, supporting customer needs.
8. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Maintain effective communication with stakeholders, supporting procurement strategies and improvements.

Key Interactions:

• External: Ocean Carriers and Vendors, Key Customers (as required), Third-Party Logistics Providers
• Internal: Global Head of Ocean Freight, Sales & BD, Managing Directors, Tender Management Team, Operations Team, WeFreight Branch offices

Education Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related fields.

Background and Experience:

Experience in freight forwarding or logistics with carrier relationships or experience negotiating with carriers is an advantage.

Competencies and Skills:

1. Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in ocean freight rate procurement, carrier negotiation, or related roles in freight forwarding.
2. In-depth knowledge of ocean freight products, procurement strategies, and carrier dynamics.
3. Strong analytical skills, with experience in pricing models, rate trends, and market intelligence.
4. Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of ocean freight procurement, rate structures, and market trends.
5. Proficiency in using rate management tools and software, with a focus on accuracy and efficiency.

Communication Skills:

Excellent negotiation and relationship-building abilities. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with fluency in English and a local language.

Analytical Skills:

Ability to analyze rate data, market trends, and tender results to drive strategic decision-making.

Problem-Solving:

Proactive and adaptable, with the ability to resolve issues related to rate discrepancies and carrier negotiations.

Core Competencies:

1. Customer Focus: Committed to meeting customer needs through competitive rate solutions.
2. Commercial Acumen: Understands market dynamics, driving profitability through smart procurement.
3. Analytical Thinking: Analyses trends and performance to enhance rate competitiveness.
4. Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiator, maintaining strategic carrier partnerships.
5. Collaboration: Works effectively with internal teams to achieve objectives.
6. Adaptability: Responds swiftly to changing market conditions and requirements.
7. Result Orientation: Focused on achieving targets and improving procurement performance.

How to Apply:

Please fill out the application form below and share your cover letter and CV.

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