District Manager – Air & Ocean

Financial Management & District Performance

• Maintain overall accountability for district P&L performance, including revenue, profitability, operating expenses, budgeting, forecasting, and financial targets, in alignment with the Heads of Air and Ocean Product.
• Monitor branch and district financial performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective measures to achieve profitability and growth objectives.
• Oversee credit management, accounts receivable, and financial risk exposure, ensuring effective controls while supporting commercial growth.
• Analyze pricing structures, cost components, operational efficiencies, and profit margins to improve financial performance and competitiveness.
• Prepare and present district performance reports, financial analyses, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to regional leadership.

Commercial Growth & Business Development

• Drive district revenue growth through strategic business development, key account management, customer retention, and market expansion initiatives.
• Partner with Sales and Product leadership to identify new business opportunities, strengthen customer relationships, and expand air and ocean freight volumes.
• Support the development of competitive freight forwarding solutions, including pricing strategies, service offerings, and cross-selling opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with strategic customers, addressing escalations and ensuring long-term satisfaction and account profitability.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and customer requirements to identify opportunities and support district commercial strategies.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Provide leadership and oversight across district branch operations, ensuring service quality, productivity, regulatory compliance, and consistent execution of operational standards.
• Collaborate with the Operational Excellence Team (OET) to implement and maintain standardized operating procedures, process improvements, and regional best practices.
• Monitor operational KPIs, service performance, and customer satisfaction, implementing improvement initiatives where necessary.
• Work closely with Air and Ocean Product teams to align operational capabilities, service delivery, and commercial commitments.
• Identify opportunities to optimize workflows, resource utilization, cost efficiency, and overall branch performance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable transportation regulations, internal policies, financial controls, and corporate governance requirements.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead, coach, and develop branch management teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, and a high-performance culture across the district.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, succession planning, and employee development in partnership with Human Resources.
• Establish clear performance expectations and measurable objectives, ensuring branch leaders are accountable for financial, operational, and commercial results.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration between Operations, Sales, Product, Finance, HR, and other regional stakeholders.
• Drive organizational change, employee engagement, and continuous improvement while maintaining alignment with Rhenus' leadership principles and corporate values.
• Perform additional responsibilities and strategic initiatives as assigned by regional leadership.

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in international freight forwarding, including significant leadership responsibility within branch, district, or multi-site operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing P&L performance, budgets, financial forecasts, cost controls, and profitability improvement initiatives.
• Strong operational and commercial knowledge of both air and ocean freight forwarding, including import/export processes, pricing, carrier relationships, and international logistics solutions.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth through business development, strategic account management, customer retention, and cross-selling initiatives.
• Experience leading branch operations or multiple locations, with demonstrated success in improving service quality, operational efficiency, and financial performance.
• Strong people leadership capabilities, including managing and developing teams, coaching managers, performance management, and succession planning.
• Sound understanding of freight forwarding regulations, compliance requirements, operational procedures, and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with Product, Sales, Finance, HR, and Operational Excellence teams in a matrix organization.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, with experience using operational KPIs, financial reporting, and performance metrics to guide business decisions.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and customer relationship skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leadership and key accounts.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, lead organizational change, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent relevant industry experience will be considered.
• Proficiency with freight forwarding systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications; experience with CargoWise or comparable transportation management systems is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages are an asset.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly between district branches and other locations as business needs require.