Business Manager (International Freight Forwarding)

Job Responsibilities 1. Freight Procurement & Rate Management Negotiate competitive contract rates and spot rates with shipping lines, airlines, NVOCCs, and freight consolidators. Maintain and update freight rate databases for various trade lanes to ensure accurate and real-time pricing support for sales and operations teams. Manage space bookings and coordinate issues during peak seasons, including space shortages, rollovers, and container release matters, ensuring key customers’ cargo space requirements are fulfilled. Monitor market freight fluctuations, vessel schedule changes, and surcharge updates, and provide timely market insights and pricing alerts to the sales team. 2. Overseas Agent Network Development & Management Develop and expand overseas destination agent networks through channels such as WCA, FIATA, LinkedIn, trade exhibitions, and industry connections, especially across key trade lanes including Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia. Negotiate and sign cooperation agreements with overseas agents, including service scope, pricing terms, payment terms, and liability clauses. Maintain daily communication with overseas agents and handle inquiries, complaints, claims, and account reconciliation matters. Coordinate overseas agents for DDU, DAP, and DDP shipments to ensure smooth customs clearance and final delivery at destination. 3. Internal Coordination & Commercial Support Support the sales team with competitive freight solutions and overseas agent services for key account quotations and tender submissions. Work closely with operations teams to resolve freight disputes, shipment exceptions, and overseas agent service issues during cargo movement. Conduct periodic analysis of freight procurement costs and agent performance efficiency, and implement cost optimization initiatives. 4. Commercial Data & Vendor Management Establish and maintain records for shipping lines, airlines, freight suppliers, and overseas agents, including qualification assessments, credit records, and cooperation history. Track key performance indicators such as freight utilization rates and nominated shipment growth, providing management with commercial data analysis and recommendations. Job Requirements Experience Minimum 5 years of experience in the international freight forwarding industry, with at least 1 year in freight procurement, pricing, or overseas agent coordination. Strong understanding of freight pricing structures for Europe and US trade lanes, with established carrier or forwarding resources preferred. Candidates with successful overseas agent development experience or contract rate negotiation experience with carriers will have an added advantage. Professional Skills Freight Knowledge Familiar with ocean and air freight market structures. Able to calculate basic door-to-door logistics costs including trucking, customs clearance, freight charges, destination charges, and related surcharges. Strong ability to identify competitive pricing opportunities. Overseas Agent Knowledge Familiar with Incoterms, Bill of Lading procedures, overseas customs clearance processes, and destination handling risks. Able to draft and review English cooperation agreements with overseas agents. System & Software Proficient in freight forwarding systems such as CargoWise, TMS, or similar logistics platforms. Strong Excel skills for cost analysis and reporting. Communication Strong negotiation, coordination, and problem-solving skills. Able to work under pressure and handle urgent situations such as carrier rate increases, shipment delays, and agent complaints. Personal Attributes Detail-oriented and meticulous in handling contracts, payment terms, and operational details. Result-driven with proactive follow-up on pricing utilization and agent response efficiency. Comfortable working in a fast-paced SME environment and willing to handle multi-functional commercial and administrative tasks. Preferred Qualifications (Added Advantage) Previous working experience with shipping lines, airlines, or overseas agent companies. Familiar with cross-border e-commerce logistics, including Amazon FBA first-mile logistics and overseas warehouse operations. Experience operating within international freight networks such as WCA. Existing overseas agent network resources will be highly preferred.