Regional Lead, Air Freight Procurement

This position will drive the execution of global and regional Air Freight Strategy by defining procurement and pricing plans with GBHQ, managing capacity, and negotiating key airline contracts in line with RFQ guidelines. Working with Sales and Airfreight teams, to oversee RFQ pricing to support profitable growth while delivering cost-saving solutions aligned with Nippon Express KPIs and targets.

• Close collaboration with Regions and Countries to drive GBHQ AFR procurement and pricing strategy.
• Ensures effective capacity management and negotiates key airline contracts in alignment with the implementation and adherence to the GBHQ airlines' RFQ and steering strategy.
• Sets, communicates and follows KPIs to ensure constant improvement of capacity management.
• Ensures optimization of network procurement and implementation of gateway opportunities.
• Responsible to drive nominated airlines' performance improvement to achieve all KPIs.
• Provides innovative solutions to achieve cost savings in line with GBHQ KPIs and targets.
• Sets and monitors objectives in terms of profitability maximization and volume growth.
• Responsible for pricing of targeted RFQs in collaboration with GBHQ Sales and Airfreight teams to achieve profitable growth.
• Supports Sales in interaction with key customers.
• Supports Regions and Countries as per GBHQ requests and requirements.
• Coaching and training of GBHQ AFR staff.
• Ensures efficient communication and information sharing with GBHQ AFR and Sales Management

In addition, the candidate also plays a role as part of the GBHQ AFD Global Procurement with responsibilities as below:

1. Supplier Management

• Proactive participation in the Global Airline RFQ procurement and ensure full implementation of the global deals within the regions.
• Performs negotiation of key global contracts for the assigned airlines.
• Negotiates and ensures full implementation of the Global Airline Incentive Agreements (GIA) for the assigned airlines.
• Continuous improvement of each airline GIA year-on-year to ensure better conditions and higher payout for the assigned airlines.
• Increase the number of airlines that offer GIA to ensure full business coverage (aspire to achieve 100% coverage of NX Group volume).
• Collaborate with the regional and local teams to ensure maximum GIA pay-out is achieved yearly.
• Maintain strong relationships with the assigned airlines to ensure reliable service and competitive pricing at global level.

2. Pricing Guidelines

• Develops and manages global airfreight pricing guidelines in accordance with the procurement strategy.
• Analyzes market trends and competitor pricing to ensure competitive buying for global customer RFQs.
• Recommends dynamic pricing models to optimize profitability based on the procurement strategy.

3. Capacity Management

• Supports regions and local teams in procuring charter capacity.
• Collaborates with regions and local teams to implement global gateways.
• Procures charter, part-charter or blocked airline space for gateways.

4. Performance Monitoring

• Implements key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure service levels, delivery times, and cost efficiency.
• Sets, communicates and follow-up on KPIs to ensure constant improvement of capacity management
• Addresses and resolves any service issues or discrepancies with the assigned airlines

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma.
• Minimum 20 years of extensive knowledge of AFR forwarding business.
• Proven track record in matrix organization, with strong leadership, motivational, and people management skills.
• Possesses excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Skilled in making well-informed decisions in achieving outstanding results.

• Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to communicate with all management levels.
• Independent and resourceful.
• Ability to engage with various internal and external stakeholders.