Senior Trade Executive, Iraq

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group's shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.

Role Overview
As a Senior Area Manager, you will be responsible for the overall trade management and performance of the Far East to Iraq trade lane, with a focus on optimizing vessel utilization and maximizing profitability. Working closely with the Trade Manager, you will develop and implement trade policies, while driving commercial performance across the agency network to achieve strategic and financial objectives.

Success in this role requires strong trade management and analytical skills to effectively align and execute trade strategies across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders—including key customers, account managers, sales agencies, and operational teams—across diverse geographies and cultural environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee trade performance and pricing setup for the Far East to Iraq trade lane.
• Monitor bookings and forecasts; work closely with the Cargo Flow team to align with capacity and space planning.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers in the region; support client visits and commercial activities.
• Provide analytical support to inform trade policies, pricing decisions, and business development initiatives.
• Set pricing based on market trends, competitor activity, and management's rate policies.
• Collaborate with regional agents to drive sales performance, aligning with volume targets and budget plans.
• Track and compare agents' sales plans vs. actual liftings to ensure performance alignment.
• Support the Trade Manager in executing strategies to maximize revenue, profitability, and vessel utilization.
• Utilize budget plans to set origin port allocations (COA) and sales targets by country and customer (CSA).
• Monitor and control cargo costs including port charges, feeder, and transshipment expenses to ensure cost efficiency.
• Manage pricing and marketing systems, including updates to website schedules and promotional tools.
• Prepare and distribute timely pricing reports, sales analyses, and revenue tracking updates.
• Coordinate and finalize Budget Flows and Budget Sales Plans in line with business targets

What We're Looking For

• Minimum 3 years of experience in trade roles within the shipping liner or freight forwarding industry
• Prior experience in Middle East Gulf (MEG), Indian Subcontinent (ISC), or Red Sea (RS) markets is preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies or related fields such as Shipping, Logistics Management, or Business Administration
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, with working knowledge of functions i.e. PivotTables and VLOOKUP

Why Join CMA CGM?

• Be part of a global leader in shipping and logistics with ambitious growth plans. 
• Work in a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and regional exposure.
   

**This role is opened for local employment only.
 
**Salary package (local) & job title shall commensurate with experience.
**Kindly note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
 
** By applying for this role, you hereby consent to the CMA CGM Group collecting, processing and using any personal information you submit, for the following purposes: 
(i) To process the application for the role being applied for; 
(ii) To process the application for other open positions within the CMA CGM Group which may be suitable to you; 
(iii) To conduct necessary reference checks; and 
(iv) Any other purpose related to one or more of the above.
You further consent to the CMA CGM Group retaining such personal information for a period of two years following your submission thereof, so that we may consider you for other open positions within the CMA CGM Group which may be suitable to you in the event that you are not selected for this role.
 
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: Please note that CMA CGM Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, CMA CGM Group will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, CMA CGM Group explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of CMA CGM Group.

Come along on CMA CGM's adventure