Country Head of Airfreight
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics · Samuthprakarn
About Us
Ready to rock the future with us? At Hellmann we put our people at the heart of everything we do, because for us, relationship matters. Joining us does not just mean becoming part of a global company. It is an invitation to shape the future of the logistics industry together with us. Our Hellmann culture is based on our four values: Caring, Entrepreneurial, Forward-Thinking and Reliable. These values resonate with yours? Then become part of our FAMILY that consists of around 10.000 employees in more than 200 locations worldwide.
For the better. Together.
About the Job
The Country Head of Airfreight (CHAF) is responsible for the profitability, quality, performance, and growth of the Airfreight product in the Country. He/She manages and is fully accountable for the Country Airfreight P&L down to CM2. He/She acts in alignment with the CMD and works closely with Regional Airfreight and other products and functions within the Country, backed by globally aligned frameworks and concepts.
He/She
- Implements a countrywide blueprint for Airfreight Operations, including centralization of selected activities/flows within a globally agreed framework.
- Functionally leads Airfreight Operations in Branches (Customer Service and Operational Service)
- Is accountable and responsible for Country Airfreight productivity, quality, and Customer Performance and takes corrective action where required.
- Ensures timely and accurate invoicing and job costing in country Airfreight Operations.
- Ensures country Airfreight operations are compliant with external regulations and internal policies (incl. e.g. Airfreight Safety and Security, DG qualifications, GDP compliance).
- Is consulted for and approves hiring into Airfreight positions in Branches.
- Develops new business jointly with CMD and Head of Sales. Directs efforts of Field Sales in alignment with Head of Sales.
- Develops and maintains relationships with major customers.
- Manages local Airfreight procurement and subcontractor performance and compliance in line with global carrier strategy and standards.
- Implements aligned global and regional Airfreight projects.
- Escalates to RHAF where conflicting top-down priorities inhibit meeting the above remit.
Target metrics: Airfreight CM2 (=primary), Productivity, Tonnage Growth, Operational Quality, Customer Performance, Delivery of global/regional projects.
About You
Strategy & Steering
Hold full P&L responsibility for the Airfreight product in Thailand.
Execute global and regional Airfreight strategies at the country level.
Define budget targets, prepare forecasts, and conduct business performance reviews.
Represent Airfreight internally and externally, promoting company culture and values.
Foster collaboration across departments and functions (“matrix mindset”).
Invigorate and promote the HWL CULTURE (values, vision, mission, leadership principles etc.) within the country product organization.
Increase motivation and engagement within in the country Airfreight organization; focus on reducing employee turnover while managing for performance.
Leadership in the matrix
Foster collaboration between General Management, Products, Sales and Supporting functions (“matrix mindset”).
Take an active role in the country’s leadership team and leverage the team in pursuit of executing the Airfreight strategy.
Decide jointly with Country MD and respective Branch Managers on HR matters (e.g. hiring/ termination, target setting, performance appraisals) for Country Airfreight positions in branches.
Functionally lead Airfreight Leads and Managers in Branches, taking full responsibility of leading Airfreight Operations across the country. Own the respective performance metrics with respect to productivity, quality, and service performance.
Drive Airfreight Growth & Profitability
Jointly with Country Sales, drive the achievement of country growth targets by:
Setting the Country Airfreight growth targets per trade lane and steering sales focus (e.g. focus trade lanes, dense vs. bulky freight, focus verticals).
Supporting Country Sales in creation of target customer lists for the country accounts.
In cooperation with the other Country Products/Functions, develop and implement initiatives to develop and grow the local market, including the identification and development of cross-selling opportunities.
Support Sales in the customer acquisition / retention process as required, in pursuit of defined targets and priorities. Attend customer meetings as required. Support Sales in acquiring the required competencies to effectively sell the Airfreight Product.
Actively engage in ensuring retention and development of country accounts
Increase revenue from local fee-based services (e.g. local charges, customs clearance)
Assess local tender opportunities and decide on participation (after conferring with Geo/Sales/Finance/Legal)
Airfreight Operational Excellence
Ensure consistent achievement of globally aligned operational standards to meet agreed customer requirements.
Proactively manage the Country Airfreight P&L by ensuring productivity and profitability in the day-to-day operations in line with globally agreed performance metrics and targets.
Implement and continuously develop a countrywide blueprint for Airfreight Operations in line with globally agreed frameworks for operational setups of different sizes. Identify and pursue process centralization opportunities (in country as well as with global and regional Shared Service Centers) to maintain critical scale of operational units in line with global frameworks and initiatives.
Monitor operational performance (subcontractor performance, productivity, quality of service and data, incident handling) vis-à-vis globally agreed metrics and targets. Initiate, implement, and control corrective actions; escalate to Regional Head of Airfreight when needed.
Ensure compliance with the Job Costing Policy. Drive timeliness and accuracy of customer billing and of cost accruals to maintain GP transparency and control.
Procurement & Product Development
Manage relationships with airlines and subcontractors, ensuring compliance with global policies.
Conduct regular RFQs and capacity planning for airfreight services.
Analyse cargo flows and market trends to identify new products and revenue streams.
Set up the capacity planning for country requirements (allotments, BSA, consolidation share)
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure all operations comply with internal policies and external regulations (e.g., Dangerous Goods, GDP, CEIV).
Review contracts for compliance and take corrective action as needed.
Evaluate operational risks and implement contingency plans.
Decision Making Authority
· Authorities as delegated by the Country MD, global and regional Airfreight, in accordance with corporate standards and guidelines
· LoAs as defined in the global signing power policy
Function- / Market & Industry Knowledge / Business Acumen / Process working
Profound knowledge of
Airfreight industry
Good knowledge of
Hellmann's strategy and products
Trends and opportunities
Markets (customers, competitors, suppliers, overall environment)
Procurement and capacity management for airfreight, including service contracts
Business administration, Finance and Controlling, including cost distribution and P&L impacts
Supplier management
The Country concerned, including knowledge of local suppliers
Local laws and regulations
Knowledge of
Process engineering and improvement methodologies
Qualifications
Skills & Competencies
Competencies – Leadership
Good ability to
● Translate strategy into operational roadmaps, deploying resources efficiently while pushing for results.
● Take complex decisions and be accountable, demonstrating managerial courage and taking responsibility while managing risk.
● Integrate and coordinate resources across functions and boundaries, building and using networks, encouraging collaboration across borders, with inter-cultural communication skills; being open to outside input and sharing knowledge and expertise.
● Lead people by role-modeling the Hellmann Leadership Values and Behaviors, including hiring and retaining talent, directing reports, defining KPI's and monitoring performance as per the Hellmann Leadership Values.
● Recognize and nurture talent by advising, coaching, motivating and empowering others and willingness to live and work in a matrix organization.
● Paint and explain the vision and to motivate employees to undergo change processes and to deal with ambiguity; create a sense of urgency; inspire commitment and buy-in
● Anticipate and prepare others to understand changes that will affect them.
Competencies – Business
Good ability to
● Organize, including prioritizing, planning, assigning and controlling objectives.
● Focus on customer service as a core value, increasing operational efficiencies and setting and monitoring high standards of quality while taking necessary steps to retain and improve customer relationships.
● Understand the country Airfreight P&L in detail with strong financial acumen and an thorough understanding of the underlying drivers of Airfreight profitability.
● Influence and negotiate.
● Understand the commercial opportunities within the supply chains and to cooperate with sales counterparts to translate these into revenue streams.
● Have an entrepreneurial mindset and be skilled at identifying and pursuing business opportunities.
Competencies – Personal
Good ability to
● Present and articulate.
● Analyze and conceptualize.
● Work under pressure and under tight deadlines with high energy and resilience
● Communicate and network with strong inter-personal skills.
● Be authentic, positive, honest and open.
● Act as a role model for Hellmann and Leadership Values and fully adhere to the Code of Conduct
Educational background / Work experience
· Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Economics/Logistics or Freight Forwarding apprenticeship or equivalent professional experience.
· Minimum 5-10 years of industry experience either on the forwarder or airline side
· Minimum 3-5 years of experience in people management and leadership, including recruitment, training & development, coaching, conflict and performance management
· International working experience required
Language skills
· Fluent in English (written and spoken)
· Local language (written and spoken)
· Other languages (written and spoken) of advantage
Computer Literacy
· MS office skills and good knowledge of HWL IT systems
· Knowledge of CargoWiseOne TMS of advantage
Direct Reporting Line:
Report to Country Managing Director, Thailand
About our Benefits
- A strong Team Spirit and a lot of fun together
- A safe, multi-cultural and inclusive environment
- Individual opportunities for growth and development
Inclusion and social diversity are firmly anchored values in our corporate culture. Regardless of gender, age, any disabilities, religion, ethnic origin or sexual identity: We are looking forward to meeting you!
If you are excited by this fantastic opportunity and have what it takes, then click APPLY!
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