Head of USA - Freight Forwarding

Are you a movement maker? Are you seeking new and exciting career opportunities?

Here is what you need to know about the job:

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Global Freight Services, an affiliate of Li & Fung, is a leading global freight forwarder providing scalable and cost-efficient transportation and supply chain solutions, including sea, air, rail, and intermodal services. With a global network, intelligent shipping expertise, and tailored solutions, we connect origins and destinations seamlessly, ensuring your goods move reliably. Learn more at www.gfsmanagement.com.

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of US - Freight Forwarding to lead operations and drive growth in this critical market. This role is pivotal in expanding our footprint, building strategic client relationships, and ensuring operational excellence across our US business unit. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience in freight forwarding, a track record of driving business growth, and the ability to align strategic vision with operational execution. If you are passionate about delivering exceptional results and shaping the future of our organization, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Growth and Profitability

• Client Acquisition and Market Development: Lead the charge in expanding the company’s client base and elevating its brand reputation within the business community. Define priority sectors and key prospective clients, establishing focused initiatives that drive market penetration and deliver tailored solutions to meet client needs. Set strategic direction with the management team, tracking progress against clear, ambitious growth targets.
• Strategic Key Account Management: Build and sustain high-value relationships with key clients, optimizing satisfaction and account profitability through proactive engagement and strategic alignment. Guide service teams in delivering exceptional performance across agreed KPIs, fostering customer loyalty, and positioning the company as a trusted partner. Maintain an executive-level perspective in client discussions to influence and enhance strategic partnerships.
• Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement: Champion a culture of operational effectiveness by streamlining processes, improving service delivery, and balancing efficiency with high-quality standards. Regularly review progress with support teams to optimize performance and address gaps in key operational metrics. Ensure scalable processes are in place to support growth without compromising service excellence.

Vision and Cultural Alignment

• Strategic Alignment and Cultural Advocacy: Develop and implement a business unit strategy that is seamlessly aligned with the broader corporate vision and long-term goals. As this is a growing business unit, prioritize the communication of corporate values and foster a culture that resonates with the company’s principles, driving employee engagement and enhancing team cohesion.

Talent and Organizational Development

• Organizational Structure and Talent Strategy: In partnership with HR, design an organizational structure optimized for agility and business performance, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives. Establish and implement policies that foster teamwork, engagement, and individual development. Emphasize the importance of key talent retention, succession planning, and the grooming of future leaders to support sustainable growth.
• Management Development and Succession Planning: Invest in the growth of the management team, facilitating career development, honing leadership skills, and setting “stretch goals” to advance capabilities. Actively engage in succession planning, particularly for senior roles, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline and a seamless transition in key positions.

Knowledge and Information Systems Enhancement

• Knowledge-Sharing and Information Systems: Cultivate a collaborative atmosphere that encourages knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and innovation across the organization. Oversee the development and maintenance of information systems that support high-performance service delivery and decision-making. Ensure the organization’s knowledge management system is effectively utilized to enhance operational effectiveness and client satisfaction.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: Preferred in International Shipping, Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, or a closely related field. A postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA) would be advantageous, providing strategic insight into business operations and