Manager - Freight Forwarding

Key Skills / Must-Have Competencies:

- Minimum 8- 10 years of progressive experience in freight forwarding, international logistics, or customs clearance.

- At least 3- 5 years in a supervisory or managerial capacity within a freight forwarding, shipping, or 3PL organization.

- Hands-on experience managing both air freight and sea freight (FCL/LCL) operations.

- Prior experience working with or for a Japanese logistics/warehousing company is preferred.

Detailed Job Description:

Position Title: Freight Forwarding Manager

Job Description:

A. Team Leadership & Supervision:

- Lead day-to-day operations of the Freight Forwarding Division, ensuring timely and accurate execution of all shipments.

- Plan, organize, and oversee work schedules, personnel assignments, and departmental workflows on a continuous basis.

- Review daily activity logs and workload distribution to maintain optimal team productivity.

- Ensure strict adherence to company policies, SOPs, and regulatory requirements including IATA/DGFT/Customs guidelines.

- Support subordinate staff in resolving complex operational challenges and escalated customer issues.

- Mentor, coach, and develop team members through structured performance management and on-the-job training.

- Assess staffing requirements and liaise with the General Manager for workforce planning and recruitment.

- Conduct periodic performance appraisals, set KPIs for direct reports, and recommend promotions or development actions.

B. Freight & Logistics Operations:

- Oversee all cargo handling activities including import/export shipments via air freight, sea freight (FCL/LCL), and surface transport.

- Monitor shipment progress from booking to delivery, ensuring adherence to timelines, routing, and documentation accuracy.

- Develop, implement, and periodically update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all logistics processes.

- Ensure accurate preparation and filing of customs and regulatory documentation including Bills of Lading, Airway Bills, Shipping Bills, Bills of Entry, Certificates of Origin, and Packing Lists.

- Coordinate with CHAs (Customs House Agents), freight carriers, airlines, and shipping lines for smooth cargo movement.

- Manage bonded warehousing, transit cargo, and trade compliance schemes as applicable.

- Monitor operational KPIs (on-time delivery, documentation accuracy, claim ratios) and report to the General Manager.

C. Business Development & Customer Relations:

- Develop and present competitive freight quotations in response to customer RFQs, ensuring profitability while remaining market-competitive.

- Build and maintain strong relationships with existing customers through regular business reviews and on-site visits.

- Identify, prospect, and onboard new customers in alignment with the department's business growth targets.

- Act as escalation point for customer complaints; analyze root causes, propose solutions, and implement corrective actions.

- Collaborate with internal teams to develop tailored logistics solutions for key accounts.

D. Vendor & Subcontractor Management:

- Identify, evaluate, and negotiate agreements with subcontractors including trucking companies, warehousing partners, CHAs, and shipping agents.

- Negotiate commercially sound SLAs and rate contracts with subcontractors with approval from Senior Management.

- Monitor subcontractor performance against agreed SLAs; escalate deviations and take corrective measures as needed.

- Maintain an approved vendor list and ensure periodic review of vendor credentials, compliance, and performance.

E. Financial Management & Reporting:

- Prepare departmental sales budgets and gross profit projections per customer/period as directed by the General Manager.

- Monitor actual financial performance against budgets; analyze variances and recommend corrective actions.

- Ensure timely preparation and dispatch of customer invoices; follow up on collections and outstanding receivables.

- Manage departmental costs and recommend cost-saving measures without compromising service quality.

- Provide monthly MIS reports on business performance, customer-wise profitability, and operational metrics.

F. Compliance & Regulatory Affairs:

- Ensure full compliance with Indian Customs regulations, DGFT policies, Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and other applicable laws.

- Stay current with changes in import/export regulations, customs tariff classifications, and trade policies affecting operations.

- Ensure compliance with applicable labour laws, health, safety, and environmental regulations within the department.

- Support internal and external audits related to freight forwarding operations and customs compliance.

G. Process Improvement & General:

- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer experience.

- Maintain high standards of ethics, data integrity, and professionalism in all business dealings.

- Maintain accurate records, shipping files, and departmental documentation.

- Report unusual issues, operational disruptions, and escalations promptly to the General Manager.

- Perform special projects and other duties as assigned by the General Manager.

Requirements:

- Minimum 8- 10 years of progressive experience in freight forwarding, international logistics, or customs clearance.

- At least 3- 5 years in a supervisory or managerial capacity within a freight forwarding, shipping, or 3PL organization.

- Hands-on experience managing both air freight and sea freight (FCL/LCL) operations.

- Prior experience working with or for a Japanese logistics/warehousing company is preferred.

Technical Knowledge:

- In-depth knowledge of Indian import/export regulations, Customs Act 1962, DGFT/FTP guidelines, and ICD/CFS operations.

- Proficiency in freight management systems (FMS), Trade Tech, or similar platforms.

- Working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook); ERP exposure is a plus.

- Familiarity with Incoterms 2020, Letters of Credit, and trade finance documentation.

- Understanding of IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and ISPM-15 compliance for wooden packaging.

Educational Qualification:

- Bachelors degree in business administration/ Logistics/ Supply Chain Management/ International Trade, or a related field. (Master's degree preferred.)

- Diploma or certification in Freight Forwarding, Customs Clearance, or Logistics Management (e.g., FIATA, IATA Cargo, MMDL) is an advantage.