Branch Operations Manager

Azimar Shipping; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Azimar Shipping LLC is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead and optimize its complete freight forwarding and customs clearance operations in Abu Dhabi. The candidate must have extensive hands-on experience in Sea Freight Import & Export, Air Freight Import & Export, Customs Clearance, and Freight Forwarding Operations, with strong knowledge of UAE customs regulations.

The role requires Abu Dhabi Customs certification or appropriate authorization and the ability to manage shipments

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or related field.
• 7–10 years of UAE freight forwarding experience, with Abu Dhabi exposure.
• 3–5 years in supervisory/managerial operations role.
• Abu Dhabi Customs certification or authorization preferred; mandatory to perform required customs functions.
• Hands-on experience in Abu Dhabi Customs clearance procedures and ATLP systems.
• Strong expertise in sea freight and air freight import/export operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead sea freight, air freight, documentation, transportation, and customs clearance teams.
• Allocate daily operational tasks and monitor shipment execution.
• Develop and enforce SOPs to ensure efficiency and accountability.
• Provide timely updates to customers and internal teams.
• Monitor costs, vendor performance, and shipment profitability.

Skills

Sea Freight

Air Freight

Customs Clearance

Customs Regulations

Education

Bachelor's in Logistics / Supply Chain

Tools

ATLP platform

Abu Dhabi Customs systems

Job description

Company: Azimar Shipping LLC

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Department: Freight Forwarding & Customs Operations

Position: Operations Manager

Reporting To: General Manager / Managing Director

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary

Azimar Shipping LLC is seeking an experienced, results-driven Operations Manager to lead and manage its complete freight forwarding and customs clearance operations in Abu Dhabi. The ideal candidate must possess extensive hands-on experience in Sea Freight Import & Export, Air Freight Import & Export, Customs Clearance, and Freight Forwarding Operations, with strong knowledge of UAE customs regulations and procedures. The candidate must be Abu Dhabi Customs-certified or appropriately authorized and experienced in processing customs declarations through the applicable Abu Dhabi Customs systems, including ATLP (Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform). The position requires strong operational leadership, commercial awareness, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to manage shipments independently while ensuring efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sea Freight Operations – Import & Export

• Independently manage FCL, LCL, breakbulk, project cargo, and conventional sea freight shipments.
• Supervise import and export documentation, shipping instructions, Bill of Lading processing, manifest coordination, and cargo release.
• Coordinate with shipping lines, NVOCCs, overseas agents, transporters, terminals, and customers.
• Manage container bookings, vessel schedules, cargo movements, delivery orders, and port operations.
• Ensure timely customs clearance, container transportation, and delivery.
• Monitor demurrage, detention, storage, and other operational costs.
• Handle shipments through Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali Port, and other UAE ports as required.

2. Air Freight Operations – Import & Export

• Independently manage complete air freight import and export operations through Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other UAE airports.
• Coordinate airline bookings, cargo acceptance, Air Waybill issuance, customs documentation, and cargo release.
• Manage import shipment pre-alerts, arrival notices, delivery orders, and airport cargo handling.
• Coordinate with airlines, ground handling agents, customs authorities, and transport providers.
• Ensure compliance with airline regulations, cargo acceptance requirements, and applicable dangerous goods procedures.
• Monitor flight schedules, shipment movements, offloading, delays, and urgent cargo requirements.
• Ensure timely delivery of time-sensitive and priority shipments.

3. Abu Dhabi Customs Clearance & Regulatory Compliance

• Independently supervise and execute import, export, transit, re-export, and temporary import customs clearance procedures.
• Process customs declarations through Abu Dhabi Customs' authorized electronic systems and ATLP platform.
• Ensure compliance with Abu Dhabi Customs regulations, tariff classifications, valuation requirements, and applicable trade restrictions.
• Verify HS codes, customs duties, VAT, certificates of origin, permits, and shipment documentation.
• Coordinate with Abu Dhabi Customs, AD Ports, airport authorities, and relevant government departments.
• Handle customs inspections, documentation discrepancies, shipment holds, and clearance disputes.
• Maintain proper customs records and ensure timely resolution of compliance issues.
• Support company customs registrations, operational approvals, and regulatory requirements.

4. Operational Management & Team Leadership

• Lead and supervise sea freight, air freight, documentation, transportation, and customs clearance teams.
• Allocate daily operational responsibilities and monitor shipment execution.
• Establish effective SOPs to ensure consistency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure timely updates to customers and internal departments.
• Monitor shipment profitability, operational expenses, and vendor performance.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement corrective measures.
• Ensure proper coordination between the Abu Dhabi office and other Azimar branches.
• Train and develop operational staff to improve productivity and service quality.

5. Customer Service & Business Support

• Maintain strong working relationships with shipping lines, airlines, customs officials, port operators, and logistics service providers.
• Support sales teams with operational pricing, feasibility assessments, and service solutions.
• Handle customer escalations and resolve shipment-related issues promptly.
• Negotiate competitive operational rates and service terms with suppliers.
• Identify opportunities to reduce operational costs and improve shipment profitability.
• Ensure accurate and timely billing, job costing, and operational file closure.
• Work closely with sales and finance teams to support revenue growth and timely customer collections.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or a related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of freight forwarding experience in the UAE, preferably with substantial Abu Dhabi operational exposure.
• Minimum 3–5 years in a supervisory or managerial operations role.
• Abu Dhabi Customs certification, customs broker authorization, or other applicable customs-processing credentials is highly preferred; valid authorization to perform the required customs functions is mandatory.
• Proven hands-on experience in Abu Dhabi Customs clearance procedures and ATLP systems.
• Strong expertise in both sea freight and air freight import/export operations.
• Familiarity with Khalifa Port, Zayed Port, Zayed International Airport, and other UAE logistics gateways.
• Strong understanding of customs documentation, Incoterms, HS classification, and international freight regulations.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage urgent and complex shipments independently.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-Time Shipment Execution: Minimum 95% operational performance against agreed service timelines.
• Customs Clearance Efficiency: Timely clearance with minimal avoidable delays or penalties.
• Operational Profitability: Control costs, improve job margins, and minimize revenue leakage.
• Documentation Accuracy: Target 100% accuracy and compliance.
• Customer Satisfaction: Prompt issue resolution and timely shipment updates.
• Cost Optimization: Minimize avoidable demurrage, detention, storage, and additional charges.
• Team Productivity: Improve operational efficiency through effective supervision and process management.

Preferred Candidate Profile

We are particularly interested in a hands-on Operations Manager who can independently manage the complete freight forwarding process, from booking and documentation to customs clearance and final delivery. The candidate should have established relationships with Abu Dhabi Customs stakeholders, shipping lines, airlines, port operators, and logistics service providers. A candidate with proven Abu Dhabi Customs clearance expertise, valid authorization, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage both sea and air freight operations will be given preference.