GM - Gateway - (Dubai)

Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Abdul Latif Jameel Logistics seeks a seasoned leader to drive the UAE gateway business, owning strategy, performance, and compliance across freight, warehousing, and cross-border services. You will lead a high-impact team focusing on growth and stakeholder partnerships.

The role requires extensive experience in UAE/GCC logistics, fluency in Arabic and English, and strong capabilities in P&L management and strategic leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
• MBA is preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in logistics or freight forwarding.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role in the UAE or GCC.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UAE gateway strategy, annual operating plan, budget, and growth roadmap.
• Own the gateway profit and loss, revenue growth, margin, productivity, and cost performance; report on risks.
• Oversee freight, transportation, warehousing, customs coordination, and service delivery in the UAE.
• Coordinate cross-border activities with KSA operations and regional partners for end-to-end service.
• Establish and manage carrier, agent, airport, port, customs, and strategic customer relationships.
• Ensure service quality, safety, and regulatory compliance; build leadership bench and develop gateway products and partnerships.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Business Acumen

Leadership

Strategic and Commercial Leadership

P&L and Financial Management

Regulatory and Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics or related field

MBA

Job description

Company: Abdul Latif Jameel Logistics

ALJ Logistics operates within Abdul Latif Jameel's transportation business, focusing on logistics operations and commercial services. Its activities include freight forwarding, transportation, warehousing, customs coordination, and cross-border logistics.

The business focuses on operational efficiency, service quality, regulatory compliance, and strengthening customer and strategic partner relationships across the UAE and regional trade lanes.

Role Purpose:

Lead the UAE gateway business and operating platform, with accountability for commercial growth, customer service, regulatory compliance, operational performance, and profitable movement of freight through the UAE network and regional trade lanes.

Key Activities:

• Develop and execute the UAE gateway strategy, annual operating plan, budget, and growth roadmap aligned with the company’s regional logistics strategy.
• Own the gateway profit and loss, revenue growth, margin, productivity, capacity utilization, and cost performance. Provide clear business performance reporting and early escalation of commercial, regulatory, operational, and financial risks.
• Lead freight, transportation, warehousing, customs coordination, and service delivery across the UAE operation. Coordinate cross-border activities with KSA operations and regional partners to ensure end-to-end service continuity.
• Establish and manage carrier, agent, airport, port, customs, and strategic customer relationships.
• Ensure service quality, operational resilience, safety, security, and compliance with UAE and international requirements. Build a capable leadership team, set performance targets, and ensure succession and workforce readiness. Develop new gateway products, routes, partnerships, and value-added services based on customer and market needs.

Skills

Job Related Skills:

• Strategic Thinking
• Business Acumen
• Leadership
• Strategic and Commercial Leadership
• P&L and Financial Management
• Regulatory and Stakeholder Management

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
• MBA is preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in logistics or freight forwarding.
• At least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role in the UAE or GCC.
• Recognized certification in Logistics, Freight Forwarding, Customs, or Supply Chain Management is preferred.
• Professional proficiency in Arabic and English.