DHL: Head of Ocean Freight, Kenya (Nairobi)

Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) is the logistics provider of the world with over 520,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories. DHL Global Forwarding, Freight (DGFF) is the Group's air, ocean and road freight specialist. We offer standardized transport as well as highly specialized end-to-end solutions to customers in a wide range of industries globally.

Connecting People. Improving Lives.

Currently, we are seeking for Head of Ocean Freight, Kenya. In this role, the successful candidate will lead and develop the country Ocean Freight (OFR) business in accordance with corporate/country business strategy and local business environment to deliver maximum profit and optimize business assets and human resources.

Key Responsibilities:

Customer

• Develop strong, sustainable customer relationships

• Ensure prompt response to customer enquiries/complaints in a professional manner

• Lead in engagements and strategic interfaces with Key Accounts

• Respond to Key Accounts enquiries and complaints

• Support the Country Manager to manage and grow the OFR business

• Support the Country Manager in strategic business planning and budgeting

• Support the Country Manager to close deals and win customer confidence

• Support Regional OFR on information requests (e.g. pricing and capacity) for regional customer response or budgeting/planning purposes

• Provide leadership in the areas of product and business development, resource utilisation, branch OFR organisation and activities

• Lead the development, implementation and localisation of key initiatives and programmes

• Facilitate and support branches’ efforts in maintaining healthy relationships with trade bodies and government agencies & authorities, including being an active subscriber or participant of global research agencies

• Establish KPIs and obtain agreement & commitment from branch management

• Provide guidelines and support for the implementation of programs such as security regulation to meet country mandated regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder

• Negotiate with Carriers/Suppliers contractual/business arrangements according to corporate policy and local requirements

• Carrier/Supplier contract, performance and relationship management

• Approve renewal/appointment of Carriers/Suppliers

• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies

• Liaise with regulatory agencies to ensure operations comply with all regulatory requirements

• Work closely with Heads of other departments/business units to generate business leads and to resolve any inter-department/business unit issues

• Provide OFR technical expertise to other departments in cross-department activities/discussions

• Collaborate with Regional resources/heads to bring best expertise to the country for closing deals and implement customers solutions

• Define, implement and monitor service and quality standards at country level in cooperation with Regional OFR

• Interact with Regional Tenders & Pricing team on pricing matters and respond to customer RFQs

• Plan and develop strategies to support achievement of planned business growth

• Brings knowledge to market to inform or stimulate markets and opportunities

• Responsible for OFR performance results

• Defines, enforces and monitors targets

• Select and assigns targets to key positions

• Analyses costs and cost structure of product derive actions for improvement

• Responsible for overall OFR Operations – OFR sites/facilities, traffic management, technical support, resource allocation and local purchasing

• Prepare department budget

• Approve all major invoices

• Proposes IT requirements

• Responsible for constant improvement and optimization of production means (cost management), e.g. make or buy

• Define and implement Ocean Freight ISO standards in line with BP&O advice

• Determine organization structure, roles and responsibility and performance targets for the function

• Develop a culture of quality, service excellence (for internal customers), flexibility and cost consciousness.

• Develop a team spirit and multitasking capabilities within the team.

• Plan, organise and direct an efficient and effective function.

• Develop IKOs/KPIs with team members and monitor individual performance.

• Conduct performance appraisal, including coaching

• Manage the allocation of appropriate resources and commitment of staff to the achievement of Global, Regional and Country objectives and targets.

• Identify training needs and opportunities to develop a highly skilled functional department.

Job Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of OFR industry and operations

• Knowledge of custom rules and regulations

• Knowledge of international trading

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Excellent product knowledge

• Analytical skills

• Negotiation skills

• Microsoft Office applications

Competences

Competency segment ‘Business

Customer Orientation: Is focused on identifying and understanding each customer’s needs. Expresses and acts on desire to assist customers in an efficient and friendly manner.

Business Acumen: Understands business principles and language, including the fundamentals of finance and profitability. Uses this understanding to achieve results and to increase the performance and profitability of our company.

Cross Border Thinking: Has a holistic mindset and stays abreast of important trends that may affect our competitiveness as a group. Manages the business, giving priority to the international

position of our company.

Competency segment ‘Leadership’

Shaping Direction: Develops and communicates strategies and goals that achieve competitive advantage. Demonstrates a clear understanding of the organisation’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Constructive Challenge: Contributes to an environment where people at all levels stand up for their ideas and where the status quo can always be challenged for the better.

Building and Leading Teams: Knows the talent* needs of the team. Attracts and develops the people who can meet those needs. Encourages effective cooperation among team members and between teams. Inspires team spirit and the commitment to achieve high standards of performance.

Competency segment ‘Personal’

Building and Managing Partnerships: interpersonal styles to create and sustain effective relationships with business partners (e.g. suppliers, joint venture partners, industry groups, competitors, governments, unions) and colleagues. Is open to approaches that meet mutual goals.

Commitment to Excel: Challenges self and others to exceed standards and achieve extraordinary results striving for best-inclass. Is not easily deterred when obstacles or delays are encountered.

Expected years of experience (Minimum)

8 years of managerial experience in the Freight Forwarding and Logistics industry

Expected Educational Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Supply Chain Management preferred

We offer:

• Opportunities in a global company where you can contribute your ideas and skills to move towards our shared goals.

• Flexible working hours with the possibility of occasionally working from home upon agreement

• Possible further career development

• Competitive salary

Why join DHL Global Forwarding?

We are part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading logistics provider with operations in over 220 countries. Visit our career site on the web at https://www.logistics.dhl/us-en/home/careers.html

Our TOP EMPLOYER prestigious certification attests to our best-in-class efforts to attract and retain talent by fostering a positive work environment and encouraging personal and professional development among employees. The development of talented women in our organization will be a focus for us and an important part of our DGF Strategy 2025.

We aspire to become the undisputed leader in our industry, when people think of forwarding; we want them to think DGF because we have:

• The largest global network with more than ~30,000 passionate employees

• The most efficient processes and fastest response times

• The best solutions and best customer service

Our Vision: The Logistics Company for the World.

Our Mission: Excellence. Simply Delivered.

Our Purpose: Connecting People, improving lives.

Our Values: Respect & Results

Our Goals: Employer, Provider, and Investment of Choice, Living Responsibility

DHL Global Forwarding is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Apply here: https://careers.dhl.com/.../Head-of-Ocean-Freight-Kenya