Description
<p><strong>About the Role</strong></p><p>This role has global functional responsibility for physical trade execution and logistics, with particular emphasis on Africa-Asia container freight. <br /><br />We are seeking a hands-on leader who understands freight markets, can deal directly with shipping lines and forwarders, has practical customs and clearing knowledge, and can take ownership of complex execution issues. The role provides functional leadership, standards, market intelligence, mentoring and senior-level intervention.<br /></p><p><strong>Key Responsibilities:</strong></p><p><strong>1. Shipping, Freight & Logistics</strong></p><ul><li><p>Own material shipping issues and build reliable freight benchmarks across major Africa-Asia lanes; maintain intelligence on rates, schedules, transit times, port constraints, equipment availability and carrier performance.</p></li><li><p>Build direct relationships with shipping lines, forwarders, clearing agents and logistics providers; negotiate freight, routing, allocations, free time, detention/demurrage and destination charges, and determine when direct carrier contracting adds value.<br /></p></li></ul><p><strong>2. End-to-End Trade Execution Control</strong></p><ul><li><p>Maintain visibility from contract readiness through shipment, documentation, transit and completion, focusing on material delays, exceptions and unclear ownership, including third-party and FOB transactions.</p></li><li><p>Coordinate Commercial, Africa sourcing/origin teams, Finance/Risk and Geneva operations so execution remains aligned with contractual, commercial and financial commitments; ensure issues are assigned and closed rather than merely passed between teams.<br /></p></li></ul><p><strong>3. Customs, Clearing & Cross-Border Logistics</strong></p><ul><li><p>Maintain working knowledge of customs practices, HS classifications, duties, inspections, certificates and port/clearing conventions across key origins and destinations.</p></li><li><p>Build and assess clearing-agent networks, challenge unusual advice or costs, obtain independent verification when required, and support new-origin, destination and product assessments.<br /></p></li></ul><p><strong>4. Documentation & Execution Risk</strong></p><ul><li><p>Set documentation and execution-control standards while routine document preparation remains with existing teams.</p></li><li><p>Exercise independent judgement on bills of lading, title/control of goods, consignee changes, documentary discrepancies, cargo release, inspections, warehouse/shipping documents, irregular documentation and material contractual deviations.<br /></p></li></ul><p><strong>5. Claims, Delays & Exception Management</strong></p><ul><li><p> Act as senior operational owner for material shipment delays, detention/demurrage, customs holds, missing/disputed documents, freight claims and other logistics exceptions.</p></li><li><p>Coordinate facts, financial impact, responsibilities and corrective actions; support cargo, quality/quantity, insurance and default-related operational issues with the relevant commercial and risk owners.<br /></p></li></ul><p><strong>6. Team Leadership, Systems & Continuous Improvement</strong></p><ul><li><p>Provide functional leadership, mentoring and performance oversight across trade operations, documentation and logistics teams; establish practical SOPs, checklists, responsibility matrices and escalation rules.</p></li><li><p>Work with the CTRM team so shipment, documentation, claims, logistics cost and exception workflows are captured effectively; create concise management reporting, reduce operational leakage and improve capital efficiency.</p></li><li><p>Over time, assess whether deeper internal capability in freight procurement, forwarding, clearing or related logistics services could create economic value without unnecessary fixed cost or complexity.</p></li></ul><p></p>