Head of Air Freight

Reporting Solid line – General Manager

Main Purpose of the Role

The Head of Air Freight is responsible for setting up, establishing, and executing all aspects of the airfreight product, both Imports and Exports; setting up a strong business plan for growth with clear execution guidelines to enable ZIM Logistics to build a significant air freight presence in Vietnam.

The Air Product Head will work closely with the sales and marketing teams to design and deliver products that meet the needs of ZLG target market. The Air Product Head is also responsible for monitoring market trends, conducting research, and analyzing data to identify new opportunities and areas for growth.

This position will have a keen eye to profitability and is seasoned at air freight logistics solutions, routing options as well as negotiations with airlines and customers, creating, and maintaining relationships with carriers, including the negotiation of rates, service level agreements and product solutions.

Major areas of responsibility

This role will have oversight of the setup of the operational structure in Vietnam and will focus on 2 main elements:

Building a strong air freight product and air operations team to support the growth.

The Air Product Head will be responsible for hiring an air freight team; supporting and training them and will assist with RFQ's, RFP's and presentations to clients with significant airfreight volume potential. This position must be comfortable in front of clients as a resource to the sales team when they are required to present the face of the Air Department.

Major areas of responsibility

Transactions (60%)

• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify new business opportunities.

• Defines and rolls out new products and/or industry specific air product solutions

• Manage and optimize Airfreight operations by implementing standard processes and operational control systems

• Coach operations and initiate specific training as needed

• Interview, hire and train support staff. Continuously review the performance of staff

• Manages carrier relations and negotiates rates to support.

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the organization's air products and services.

• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop effective sales and marketing strategies for air products and services.

• Analyze market trends, customer needs, and competitor activities to identify new opportunities and areas for growth.

• Develop pricing strategies and ensure that pricing is competitive and aligned with market trends and customer needs.

• Monitor product performance and adjust improve performance and profitability.

• Work closely with suppliers and vendors to ensure the availability and quality of air products and services.

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.

• Manage and lead a team of professionals to achieve goals and objectives.

• Collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to ensure alignment and integration of air products and services with overall organizational goals and strategies.

• Develops sales tariffs and manages rate databases to be used as sales tools.

• Align and support Commercial Leader to coach sales staff on product related strategy, services, and solutions.

• Support tender management in the RFQ process.

Air Pricing - Air National Pricing Center (NPC) (30%)

• Manage, coordinate and lead a strong operations team to ensure a best-in-class operations organization.

• Create and implement strategic initiatives for the air freight department.

• Create, implement, and report improvement of all department KPIs as well as SOP

Reporting (10%)

• Maintaining internal operational databases ensuring compliance with the company’s partner/vendor standards as well as IATA and local requirements and regulations.

• Manage monthly review of partners/vendors for compliance, score cards, etc.

• Prepare regular analytical reports, strategically plan, and manage air freight services.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.

• 7+ years of senior work experience in an airfreight environment in a customer facing capacity .

• Developed an expert level competence in airfreight operations.

• Strong ability to maintain relationships at various levels throughout both the vendor and customer organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with both local and international agents and clients

• Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language

• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills

• Superior active listening skills

• Strong organizational and time-management skills

• Ability to train, develop, manage and deliver results

Competences

1. Complex problem solver - identify & solve the problem within complex process/situation successfully; identify potential problems in a proactive manner

2. Communication skills - deliver core messages that are clear and understandable, and lead to action. Has a high-level presentation skill via all channels.

3. Leadership and mentoring capabilities - Team leader - guide his/her employees; Influence cross functions on productivity and motivation

4. Proactivity – to challenge existing way of work, to initiate new ideas and seek new opportunities

5. Customer service approach - To be most attentive and response positively to all enquiries/needs on time