Ocean Import Procurement / Carrier Management

Position Summary

We are seeking an Ocean Import Procurement / Carrier Management professional to lead carrier procurement and trade lane strategy for APAC import services. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing strategic carrier relationships, negotiating competitive freight agreements, managing capacity, and supporting the commercial growth of the ocean import product.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with ocean carriers and service providers.

• Negotiate annual contracts, spot rates, and service agreements across APAC import trade lanes.

• Manage FCL and LCL procurement to ensure competitive pricing and reliable capacity.

• Lead import trade lane strategy, monitoring market trends, carrier performance, and capacity changes.

• Manage RFQs, carrier tenders, and procurement exercises to secure commercially competitive solutions.

• Analyse freight rates, surcharges, transit times, and carrier performance to support pricing decisions.

• Oversee free time, demurrage, detention, and related commercial agreements.

• Work closely with pricing, operations, sales, and commercial teams to develop customer solutions and improve profitability.

• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders across regional and global teams.

• Identify market opportunities and implement procurement strategies that strengthen the ocean import product.

Requirements

• Previous experience in Ocean Freight Procurement, Carrier Management, or Trade Lane Management within a global freight forwarder, NVOCC, or logistics provider.

• Strong knowledge of APAC ocean import trade lanes.

• Proven experience negotiating carrier contracts and managing strategic carrier relationships.

• Strong understanding of FCL, LCL, ocean freight tenders, and RFQ processes.

• Knowledge of market pricing, capacity allocation, and ocean freight procurement strategies.

• Commercially focused with strong analytical and negotiation skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

• Ability to work cross-functionally with pricing, operations, and commercial teams.

Preferred Background

Candidates may currently hold titles such as:

• Director, Ocean Procurement

• Director, Carrier Management

• Director, Trade Management

• Director, Ocean Product

• VP, Ocean Procurement

• VP, Carrier Management

• VP, Trade Management

• VP, Ocean Product