The Air Freight Manager is responsible for overseeing end-to-end air freight operations across both import and export functions. The role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, cost control, and high service levels while working closely with sales, customer service, carriers, and overseas agents. The position plays a critical role in delivering reliable, profitable, and compliant air freight services to customers.
Job Responsibilities:
1. Air Freight Operations - Import & Export
- Oversee day-to-day air freight import and export operations.
- Ensure timely and accurate execution of shipments from booking to final delivery.
- Manage documentation, customs coordination, and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor cargo movement, exceptions, and service recovery.
- Ensure compliance with IATA, airline, customs, and local regulatory requirements.
2. Team Leadership & Performance
- Lead, train, and performance-manage air freight operations staff.
- Allocate workloads and ensure adequate coverage for import and export activities.
- Drive a culture of accountability, accuracy, and customer focus.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and capability development of the team.
3. Carrier & Agent Management
- Manage relationships with airlines and agents.
- Negotiate rates and space allocations
- Monitor carrier performance and resolve service or capacity issues.
- Ensure effective use of preferred carriers and routing options.
4. Customer Service & Stakeholder Management
- Act as the escalation point for key customers and internal stakeholders.
- Work closely with sales and customer service to meet customer commitments.
- Ensure service levels align with agreed SLAs and contracts.
- Support customer onboarding and implementation for air freight accounts.
5. Commercial & Cost Control
- Monitor air freight costs, yields, and operational KPIs.
- Identify opportunities to improve margins through process efficiency and carrier management.
- Support pricing and RFQ responses with operational input.
- Ensure adherence to credit, billing, and revenue recognition processes.
6. Compliance, Quality & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with aviation security, dangerous goods and safety standards.
- Maintain audit readiness for internal and external audits.
- Implement and maintain SOPs and operational controls.
- Manage operational risks, disruptions, and contingency planning.
7. Process Improvement & Systems
- Drive continuous improvement in air freight processes and workflows.
- Ensure accurate and timely use of operational systems
- Support digitalisation and automation initiatives.
- Provide performance reporting and insights to management.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain or related field preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of air freight operations experience in a freight forwarding environment.
- Proven experience managing both air import and export operations.
- Prior people management experience required.
- Strong knowledge of airline operations, IATA regulations, and customs processes.
- IATA DGR certification (current or previously held) preferred.
- Strong operational and problem-solving skills
- Effective stakeholder and customer management
- Leadership and team development capability
- Commercial awareness and cost control mindset
- Strong planning, prioritisation, and execution skills
- Systems and data-driven approach
