Japan Country Head of Ocean Freight

Our client, a leading global player in the logistics industry, operates across Japan with 12 strategically located stations from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. This vast network provides exceptional reach, enabling the company to serve customers in key logistics hubs such as airports, seaports, and major cities.

As the Country Head of Ocean Freight, you will be at the forefront of driving growth and profitability in Japans highly competitive ocean freight industry. This is a unique opportunity for a proactive leader who thrives on challenges, excels in complex negotiations, and is adept at building strong, strategic relationships.

Join a company that is not just moving goods, but fulfilling its mission: Connecting People, Improving Lives.

Key Responsibilities

Lead & Drive Growth:

• Define, implement, and execute the Ocean Freight (OFR) strategy in Japan, ensuring alignment with global objectives and local market needs.
• Lead the Ocean Freight division to ensure profitable growth and act as the primary driver for business profitability.
• Oversee and manage the P&L for Ocean Product across all branches.

Operational Excellence:

• Ensure end-to-end Capacity Management (procurement, consolidation, and network optimization), negotiating critical contracts to secure competitive pricing and terms.
• Lead performance improvement initiatives by setting, tracking, and achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) for both Operations and Product teams.
• Drive the execution of the Operations strategy while maintaining high standards of service culture.

Customer & Market Leadership:

• Develop and sustain high-impact relationships with key stakeholders, service providers, and customers to ensure market leadership.
• Collaborate closely with the Sales and Marketing teams to strengthen customer relationships, and provide key input on solution design and service innovation.
• Escalate and resolve carrier performance issues to maintain high standards.

Business Development:

• Identify and execute new business opportunities, ensuring market expansion and penetration for OFR products.
• Champion vendor management and ensure a seamless supply chain while fostering profitable partnerships.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Translate global strategy into actionable, results-driven initiatives for Japans Ocean Freight operations.
• Oversee the implementation of network procurement strategies, maximizing cost efficiency and operational effectiveness.

Profitability & Performance:

• Maximize profitability through cost-effective capacity planning and carrier negotiations.
• Ensure budgetary goals are met by setting clear objectives and monitoring performance closely.

Team Leadership:

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performance team with a focus on quality, service excellence, and flexibility.
• Conduct regular performance appraisals and provide coaching to ensure continuous team development.
• Lead by example, fostering a spirit of teamwork and accountability.

What Were Looking For

This role is suited to a dynamic leader who:

• Enjoys challenges and thrives in high-pressure environments.
• Excels at leveraging relationships and negotiating effectively with stakeholders.
• Possesses strong commercial acumen and a proven track record in ocean freight or related industries.
• Is a strategic thinker with the ability to execute and deliver results.

Why Join?

This role offers a unique opportunity to:

• Make a significant impact in the Ocean Freight industry in Japan.
• Drive growth for a major global logistics player.
• Be part of a mission-driven company where Connecting People and Improving Lives is at the core of everything they do.

Take the next step in your career and lead the future of ocean freight in Japan.