Specialist: Ocean Freight Procurement

Job Function:

The Specialist: Ocean Freight Procurement is responsible for supporting the development and expansion of the ocean freight service offering across the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. This role plays a critical part in designing and implementing subregion-specific product and procurement initiatives, negotiating and managing regional carrier contracts, and providing market intelligence. The incumbent will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to drive volume growth, enhance service delivery, and support the overall regional freight forwarding strategy.

Key Performance Areas:

Strategic Procurement Planning & Execution:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive procurement plan for Sub-Region (East/West/Southern Africa) ocean freight, aligned with the SSA Regional Ocean strategy.
• Roll out and implement regional ocean freight product strategies to support volume growth and KPI achievement in respective countries.
• Support the achievement of country-specific KPIs, goals, and objectives
• Contribute to the formulation of freight forwarding pricing strategies, including peak season methodologies, in collaboration with commercial teams.
• Support strategic planning and participation in service contract negotiations with carriers, international partners, Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs), and other stakeholders in alignment with the SSA Regional Procurement strategy.

Carrier Management & Contract Negotiation:

• Negotiate and manage regional carrier contracts to secure competitive rates and service levels.
• Ensure consistent engagement and alignment with Core Carriers to protect and consolidate volumes, avoiding dilution of commitments.
• Maintain regular carrier engagements with structured agendas shared in advance with relevant stakeholders (including Regional Procurement).
• Upload minutes of all carrier meetings as per established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Collaborate closely with the Regional Procurement team on market updates, rate reviews, and promotional freight opportunities to ensure regional consistency and competitiveness.

Market Analysis & Pricing Strategy:

• Provide comprehensive market analysis and intelligence on ocean freight trends, capacity, and pricing dynamics.
• Communicate key factors influencing freight indexes through weekly/monthly freight pricing reports on key routes and trades.
• Monitor market conditions and competitor activities to inform strategic decision-making.
• Support commercial teams with tender pricing and solutions to win new business.
• Support SSA regional forwarding tariff negotiations with Network and Agents.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management:

• Support cooperation between Product, Operations, Commercial, and Trade Lane functions.
• Collaborate with all stakeholders to expand the ocean freight service offering in the region and achieve regional goals and objectives.
• Work closely with the SSA Regional Freight Forwarding teams and participate in strategy rollout.
• Support commercial development and growth through developing relationships with carriers, network partners, and target customers.
• Provide procurement guidance internally to support the achievement of overall regional targets.

Procurement Governance & Compliance:

• Monitor and manage procurement governance, enforcing best practices within the business.
• Ensure preferred carrier support and compliance with procurement policies and procedures.
• Maintain adherence to established SOPs for carrier engagement, contract management, and reporting.
• Ensure all procurement activities align with DP World's Code of Conduct and Ethics policies.
• Support all in-country ocean freight procurement requirements.

Operational Support & Service Delivery:

• Support commercial teams with tender pricing and innovative solutions to secure new business.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on ocean freight procurement matters.
• Respond to ad hoc procurement requests and business needs.
• Ensure service delivery excellence through effective carrier management and relationship building.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience and Skills Required:

• Minimum 7 years' experience in the freight forwarding, logistics, or transport industry.
• At least 5 years' experience in ocean freight procurement.
• Proven experience in the SSA market (East, West, Southern Africa).
• Exposure to multiple freight modes (Air, Ocean, Road), with specialization in Ocean Freight.
• In-depth understanding of ocean freight procurement processes and carrier dynamics.
• Knowledge of SSA regional logistics and trade environments.

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world's trade flow better, changing what's possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 111,000 employees from 159 nationalities, spanning 77 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that's fit for the future.

We're rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we're at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer's door.

DP World is on a mission to transcend boundaries and bridge the gap between all nations and cultures – not just in what we do but also in how we behave.

We are dedicated to creating a culture where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity, drives innovation and growth and helps us connect people, businesses, and societies. Free minds and different perspectives are changing our world, and together we can change what's possible.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

EEO Statement

DP World is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We strongly believe that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success and we make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion, or belief.

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