Directly or indirectly manages all seafreight department staff within assigned territory
Ensures all seafreight operations within assigned territory are compliant to internal HWL policies and external government regulations
Ensures seafreight working capital targets are met within assigned territory especially targets set for days payables outstanding (DPO) (with sea product vendors) and days sales outstanding DSO (especially on pass-through items)
Maintains accurate costing, revenue estimates, rating, invoicing, and correction (where necessary) to invoices, process, or people to minimize WIP, DSO, and Bad Debt
Ensures sea product operations within assigned territory meet internal HWL and external customer quality goals per Customer Standard Operating Procedure (CSOP)
Ensures sea product operations meet minimum customer service levels at minimal cost to HWL through effective procurement and routing
Meets expected volume and top line sea product revenue growth targets for assigned territory
Ensures sea product yield is within target range at both a customer level and in aggregate for assigned territory
Works with peers and senior management, tender management, and sales to measure, sell, and procure market competitive rates for market competitive services.
Ensures all assigned department employees are trained, certified, and re-certified periodically on sea product SOPs and Quality Management System
Ensures all financial and quality controls and audits are completed accurately and on-time
Makes available to sales and Network Partners via a database market competitive general tariffs to assist them with accurately and quickly pricing freight all kind (FAK) low and medium volume HWL opportunities
Holds Sales, and one’s own team accountable to develop clear and concise CSOPs Customer Specific Operating document(s) and certifications. Validates seafreight staff understand and comply with CSOPs. Consults with Sales prior to their agreeing to non-standard services and/or pricing
Works with Sales to effectively explain HWL sea product analytics including trend drivers and to develop business recommendations to customers to save money, reduce costs, or improve reliability
Trains and coaches sales personnel on external market opportunities or threats, internal strengths and weaknesses, and how to effectively gain market share from HWL competitors on a case by case level or in aggregate
Takes ownership of and professionally manages customer escalations in conjunction with Sales
Understands, measures, analyzes, and improves critical to quality external (ref. CSOP) or internal (ref. SOP) KPIs
Acts as seafreight product subject matter expert when communicating with customers in a variety of settings
Responsible at times for role of executive sponsor for key customers within assigned territory
Leads or participates in corrective actions as necessary to mitigate the likelihood of revenue or profit loss when business is at risk
Provide timely and accurate analysis to internal and external stakeholders as agreed with respect to assigned sea product and territory
Ensure performance goals are set, performance is measured, and regular informal and formal feedback is provided to direct reports within assigned department
Monitors and manages staffing levels and workload allocation across all sea product teams within assigned territory. This includes talent acquisition, furloughing, re-purposing, re-shifting, demotion, promotion, and severance
Develops team and individuals within the team. Responsible for succession planning at agent, supervisor, and one’s own level
Verifies the accuracy and timeliness of seafreight budgeting and forecasting
Manages vendors or transportation service provider (TSP) relationships within assigned sea product territory or as agreed with functional up-line and to develop strategic partnerships as necessary to differentiate HWL sea product competitiveness
Ensures the quality of cross-docking, consolidation, deconsolidation, and other sea product specific activities occurring either in a HWL or 3rd party warehouse.
Assists District or Branch Managers with selecting, measuring, and managing HWL or 3rd party warehouses
Manages the quality of all sea product vendors and to ensure business continuity in the event a vendor is unable to perform
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification requirements
Education/experience
Bachelor’s degree (Business, Logistics and Supply Chain, Transportation, or associate field), or equivalent work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience will be considered in lieu of educational requirement
7-10 years minimum seafreight experience
3-5 years minimum supervisory experience
Completion of any industry related course is an asset
Knowledge, skills & attributes
Financial acumen – understands business drivers
Results-oriented – drives strategy and execution
Leadership – demonstrates professionalism
Customer-focused
Organizational skills
Time management and prioritization
Adaptable / flexible to high-pressured environment
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Email, and Internet
Proficient in world geography, shipping documentation, and Incoterms preferred
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English in order to present information to customers, management, and subordinates in a professional setting
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as freight rates, discounts, and other percentages
Analytical skills / problem-solving ability
Coaching skills – able to train, coach, and develop subordinates
