Ocean Trade Manager

The JAS EMEA Ocean Trade Manager is responsible for managing ocean freight carrier relationships, rate governance and trade lane performance across the EMEA region.

The role ensures competitive procurement outcomes, effective contract administration and alignment between carrier capacity, export/import guidelines and operational requirements.

The incumbent supports sales and operational teams by negotiating and maintaining ocean freight rates, overseeing carrier filings, managing escalations and providing market intelligence to support commercial and operational decisions.

Essential Functions

• Manage FMC and non-FMC contract administration across assigned ocean trade lanes.
• Negotiate, distribute and maintain FAK rates in line with business and market requirements.
• Lead NAC renegotiations and ensure timely filings in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain continuous engagement with ocean carriers to support service reliability, capacity and commercial performance.
• Gather, analyze and communicate market intelligence on rates & capacity trends, carrier behavior and overall trade lane related developments.
• Handle Level-2 escalations and coordinate resolution with relevant internal and/or carrier PIC.
• Govern trade lane ocean tender guideline rates and ensure alignment with pricing frameworks and internal controls.
• Monitor and manage carrier capacity and allocation commitments to support operational continuity and customer satisfaction.
• Lead regional procurement and support country operational teams with business/ trade lane optimization, exception management and strategic ocean freight related recommendations.
• Maintain accurate records, reports and rate records related to contracts, filings, allocations, and commercial decisions.
• Contribute with ocean product procurement information to the budget process and assist clusters/countries to provide adequate and qualitative input to the overall process at planning stages and throughout the review periods on a regular basis to optimize performance.
• Manage special projects and ensure continuous guidance to commercial and customer service teams as well as GAM.
• Adhere to company policies, compliance requirements, and internal approval processes.
• Act as Corporate Sponsor for Key Client Relationships, where requested.
• Other duties as may be assigned.
• Supervisory Responsibilities
• To be defined based on country organization.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Thorough knowledge of ocean freight operations, carrier contracting, and procurement processes.
• Understanding of rate structures, filings, and trade lane management practices.
• Detail oriented, able to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Strong digital skills including Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Ability to manage confidential commercial information with discretion.

Education and Experience

• College degree (or local equivalent) in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Maritime Studies, or related field preferred.
• Experience in ocean operations, ocean transport procurement, or carrier management required.
• Experience in contract administration, rate negotiation, or freight rate governance preferred.
• Proven experience working with FMC and non-FMC contracts, FAK structures, and carrier filings is an advantage.
• Experience in international freight forwarding or ocean transportation within EMEA preferred.
• Strong understanding of export procedures, market dynamics, and carrier allocation management.
• Fluency in English required; additional European languages are an advantage.
• Environment

100% performed in climate-controlled internal office environment working under normal office conditions.

Travel will be (up to __ %) required in support of the position’s responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands and finger to feel and handle; reach with arms and hands; talk and hear.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, and crouch; lift weight or exert a force up to a maximum of 25 pounds.

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