Associate Director, Logistics

Associate Director, Logistics

Location: Singapore
Scope: Global Logistics / Ocean Freight

Ryan Owen Associates is supporting a fast-growing international consumer products business in the appointment of an Associate Director, Logistics.

Based in Singapore, this is a senior global logistics role with a strong focus on international ocean freight strategy, carrier management, freight procurement and operational performance.

The successful candidate will manage a complex international freight network across key sourcing and destination markets, working closely with logistics partners and internal supply-chain stakeholders to improve cost, reliability, resilience and service performance.

Key Responsibilities

Global Logistics Strategy

• Develop and implement the organisation's global ocean freight strategy in alignment with broader supply-chain and business objectives.

• Optimise international freight flows, routing, capacity allocation and service levels across key markets.

• Identify opportunities to improve cost effectiveness, reliability and supply-chain resilience.

Ocean Freight Procurement & Carrier Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with ocean carriers, freight forwarders and logistics service providers.

• Lead negotiations covering freight rates, contracts, volume allocation, payment terms and service agreements.

• Manage carrier and vendor performance through structured reviews and clearly defined KPIs.

• Ensure appropriate capacity and service levels are secured to support business requirements.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end international ocean freight operations from origin through to destination.

• Drive improvements in routing, consolidation, freight management and operational processes.

• Establish and monitor logistics KPIs covering cost, service, reliability and delivery performance.

• Identify operational issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure international logistics activities comply with applicable customs, trade and regulatory requirements.

• Develop contingency plans and risk-mitigation strategies for potential supply-chain disruptions.

• Monitor external factors such as port congestion, geopolitical developments, labour disruptions and other freight-market risks.

Planning & Budgeting

• Develop international freight cost and volume forecasts.

• Build appropriate contingencies for freight-market volatility and unexpected costs.

• Track logistics expenditure against budget and provide clear reporting and analysis to Finance and senior management.

• Identify and deliver freight cost-saving opportunities.

Systems & Automation

• Identify opportunities to improve logistics processes through technology and automation.

• Lead logistics-system and process-improvement initiatives from design through implementation.

• Work closely with IT, project teams and other stakeholders to reduce manual processes and improve visibility.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop logistics professionals while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

• Partner closely with procurement, supply planning, inventory management, customer service, finance and regional logistics teams.

• Provide senior leadership with clear insights and recommendations on freight performance, cost and supply-chain risks.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration or a related discipline.

• 10+ years of experience in international logistics and ocean freight management.

• Strong experience managing complex, high-volume international freight networks.

• Proven expertise in ocean freight procurement, carrier negotiations, freight contracts and capacity management.

• Strong relationships and experience working with ocean carriers, freight forwarders and other logistics providers.

• Experience within FMCG, food & beverage, consumer products or another high-volume product environment would be highly advantageous.

• Strong understanding of international trade, customs compliance and logistics risk management.

• Commercially strong, with experience in freight budgeting, forecasting and cost optimisation.

• Experience with logistics transformation, process improvement, systems implementation or automation.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

• Excellent stakeholder-management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across countries and functions.

• Previous team leadership experience within an international or regional logistics environment.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a significant international logistics network and play a key role in shaping its future ocean freight strategy.

The position offers broad exposure across international supply chain, freight procurement, carrier management, operations, finance and senior leadership.

To apply:
Please submit your application through the relevant job posting or contact Sanjay Eligeson at Ryan Owen Associates ([Confidential Information]) for a confidential discussion.

All applications will be treated in strict confidence.