Pricing & Procurement Manager (Ocean Freight)

The Pricing & Procurement Manager (Ocean Freight) is responsible for developing and managing strategic relationships with shipping lines, NVOCCs, and service providers to secure competitive freight rates, reliable service solutions, and sustainable business partnerships.

The role drives ocean freight procurement strategy, pricing competitiveness, trade lane development, and carrier performance management while supporting business growth, profitability, and operational excellence.

Job Responsibility:

Strategic Procurement & Carrier Management:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with shipping lines, NVOCCs, feeder operators, and logistics service providers.
• Negotiate freight contracts, service agreements, and rate structures to achieve competitive pricing and service reliability.
• Secure space allocation, contract commitments, and preferred service arrangements during peak seasons and market fluctuations.
• Conduct regular carrier performance reviews based on transit time, service reliability, equipment availability, and claims performance.
• Identify alternative carriers and routing solutions to mitigate operational risks and strengthen service continuity.

Pricing Management:

• Develop and maintain competitive ocean freight pricing strategies aligned with market conditions and profitability objectives.
• Review and approve customer quotations, RFQs, tenders, and special pricing requests.
• Monitor freight market trends, carrier GRI announcements, bunker adjustments, and capacity developments.
• Provide management with recommendations on pricing adjustments and market opportunities.

Trade Lane & Product Development:

• Analyse trade lane performance and identify growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with overseas agents and carriers to develop new service offerings and logistics solutions.
• Support the expansion of strategic trade lanes and key customer segments.
• Monitor industry developments, shipping regulations, and competitive market activities.

Operational & Customer Support:

• Work closely with Sales, Network, Operations, and Customer Service teams to ensure timely and accurate quotations.
• Support problem resolution related to shipment execution, carrier issues, service disruptions, and customer escalations.
• Ensure smooth coordination between procurement, operations, and commercial functions.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, coach, and develop the Pricing and Procurement team.
• Establish departmental KPIs and monitor performance against targets.

Compliance & Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Monitor trade compliance requirements related to customs, ports, and international shipping regulations.

Reporting & Management Support:

• Prepare monthly management reports covering:

  • Freight cost trends
  • Carrier performance
  • Profitability analysis
  • Procurement savings
  • Business development opportunities

• Present recommendations and action plans to senior management.

Requirement:

Language:

• Mandarin fluency is mandatory for communicating with Mandarin-speaking customers and business partners.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Maritime Studies, or related discipline.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in freight forwarding, logistics, shipping, or NVOCC operations.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in pricing, carrier management, or trade lane management.
• Experience negotiating directly with shipping lines and service providers is highly preferred.
• Experience managing RFQs, tenders, and key account pricing will be an advantage.

Technical Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of Ocean freight operations, Freight pricing structures, Incoterms, Import/export procedures and shipping documentation
• Familiarity with major trade lanes including Asia, Europe, USA, and Middle East markets.

Competencies:

• Strong commercial and negotiation skills.
• Excellent relationship management capabilities.
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in a dynamic freight market.
• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Effective problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.