Freight Operations Manager (HOD)

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced, results-driven, and strategic

Freight Operations Manager

to lead and manage our Freight Operations Department. Reporting directly to senior management, the successful candidate will serve as the

Head of Department (HOD)

and be responsible for overseeing the overall performance, growth, and operational excellence of our Air Freight, Sea Freight, Neutral Freight, and Project Cargo operations.

This leadership role requires a hands-on professional with extensive freight forwarding expertise, strong people management skills, and a thorough understanding of end-to-end international logistics operations. The ideal candidate will be responsible for leading a team of freight professionals, driving operational efficiency, maintaining service excellence, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building strong relationships with customers, carriers, agents, and key business partners.

The Freight Operations Manager will play a critical role in supporting the company's growth strategy while ensuring the seamless movement of cargo across global supply chains.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Department Management

Lead, mentor, and manage the Freight Operations Department, ensuring high levels of performance, accountability, and professional development.

Develop and implement operational strategies to improve productivity, profitability, service quality, and customer satisfaction.

Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and performance standards aligned with company objectives.

Conduct regular team reviews, coaching, training, and succession planning initiatives.

Drive a culture of operational excellence, teamwork, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Freight Operations Management

Oversee end-to-end operations for Air Freight, Sea Freight, Neutral Freight and Project Cargo shipments.

Ensure smooth and timely execution of import, export, transshipment, and project logistics movements.

Manage shipment planning, freight bookings, cargo routing, and operational workflows.

Supervise and provide guidance on complex shipment requirements and operational challenges.

Ensure accurate preparation, verification, and processing of freight documentation, including Bills of Lading, Air Waybills, permits, customs declarations, commercial invoices, and related shipping documentation.

Monitor shipment progress and proactively address operational disruptions, delays, and service issues.

Ensure compliance with international trade regulations, customs requirements, industry standards, and company policies.

Oversee vendor, carrier, warehouse, transport, customs brokerage, and agent relationships to ensure service reliability and cost efficiency.

Manage project cargo operations, including oversized, time-critical, and specialized shipments.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, overseas agents, shipping lines, airlines, transport providers, and industry partners.

Act as the escalation point for major operational issues, customer complaints, and service recovery situations.

Ensure the delivery of exceptional customer service and operational support throughout the shipment lifecycle.

Collaborate with sales and business development teams to support customer acquisition, retention, and business growth.

Participate in customer meetings, business reviews, and operational planning discussions when required.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

Monitor departmental performance metrics and implement corrective actions where necessary.

Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.

Ensure compliance with customs regulations, trade compliance requirements, security protocols, and company SOPs.

Conduct risk assessments and implement controls to minimize operational and financial exposure.

Ensure accurate record keeping and maintenance of operational documentation and reports.

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, International Trade, or a related discipline.

Experience

Minimum

5 years of relevant experience

in freight forwarding, logistics, supply chain, or international transportation operations.

Minimum

3 years in a supervisory, team lead, or management capacity

within the freight forwarding industry.

Extensive hands-on experience managing Air Freight, Sea Freight, Neutral Freight, Cross-Trade, and Project Cargo operations.

Strong understanding of import/export regulations, customs procedures, international trade documentation, and freight compliance requirements.

Alliance 21 Pte Ltd

is an established logistics company in Singapore with facilities at the Changi Airfreight Centre. The company aims to develop logistics hubs locally and worldwide by offering a broad range of value-added services beyond the traditional freight forwarding activities today.

Founded in 12 February 2002, our CEO, Mr Benjamin Ong is the driving force behind Alliance 21 Pte Ltd, which handles air freight business in Singapore. A visionary and aspiring leader, Mr Benjamin Ong led his team and broke away from the conventional freight forwarding by offering specialised logistics solutions to customers. Our determination to excel in what we do best has made us one of the top producing agents to many airlines annually and garnered accolades of The Emerging Enterprise Award in 2010, The Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2012, SME Digital LEAP Awards in 2019, and Learning Enterprise Alliance Award in 2023.

Our sister company was set up in 2007 to provide sea freight, warehousing and transportation services. Together, Alliance 21 Group seeks to offer a seamless one-stop solution to our customers by providing multi-model transportation and total logistics solutions, delivering cargo door-to-door worldwide and offering services customized to specific needs.