Head of Logistics

Salt; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt is seeking a hands-on Head of Logistics to own ocean freight rate supply, pricing, booking and operations for an AI-driven freight platform. 7+ years of hands-on ocean freight experience within a freight forwarder, NVOCC or carrier are required.

This is a start-up style leadership role with direct influence on product, rate engine and commercial success. You will build relationships across India–UAE carriers, lead the rate desk and collaborate with Product, Engineering and AI teams to

Qualifications

• Must have 7+ years hands-on ocean freight operations experience.
• Proven ability to source and negotiate FCL rates.
• Strong relationships with NVOCCs and regional carriers across India–UAE.
• Experience running a freight desk, branch or small operation.
• Deep understanding of ocean freight pricing, surcharges, capacity and transit times.
• Commercial judgement to identify inaccurate or uncompetitive rates quickly.
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on approach suited to MVP/start-up environments.
• Experience with rate management platforms such as CargoWise or Freightos is advantageous.
• Hindi or Arabic language skills are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own the rate supply strategy and pricing architecture.
• Build and manage relationships with regional Carriers and NVOCCs.
• Lead the rate and operations desk; senior escalation point for operational issues.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and AI teams to translate freight expertise into the platform's quoting engine.

Skills

Ocean freight operations

FCL rate sourcing

NVOCC & regional carriers

Freight desk leadership

Pricing, surcharges, transit times

Commercial judgement

MVP/start-up mindset

CargoWise or Freightos

Hindi or Arabic

Tools

CargoWise

Freightos

Job description

My client is looking for a hands-on Head of Logistics to take ownership of ocean freight rate supply, pricing, booking and operational execution for an early-stage B2B SaaS platform transforming international freight forwarding through AI.

The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of hands-on ocean freight experience within a freight forwarder, NVOCC or carrier, with strong existing relationships across India–UAE ocean freight. They must have personally sourced and negotiated FCL rates and understand the detail behind contract and spot pricing, carrier behaviour, surcharges, capacity and transit times.

This is not a traditional corporate logistics leadership role. My client needs someone who has personally run a freight desk, branch or small operation and can independently assess whether a rate is commercially competitive, whether a surcharge is correct and whether an automated quote reflects the real market.

You will own the rate supply strategy, build and manage relationships with regional carriers and NVOCCs, lead the rate and operations desk, and act as the senior escalation point for operational issues. You will also work closely with Product, Engineering and AI teams, helping translate real-world freight expertise into the platform's quoting and booking engine.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• 7+ years of hands-on ocean freight operations
• Proven FCL rate sourcing and negotiation experience
• Strong relationships with NVOCCs and regional carriers across India–UAE
• Experience managing a freight desk, branch or small operation
• Strong understanding of ocean freight pricing, surcharges, capacity and transit times
• The commercial judgement to identify inaccurate or uncompetitive rates quickly
• A highly hands-on, entrepreneurial approach suited to an MVP/start-up environment
• Experience with rate management platforms such as CargoWise or Freightos is advantageous
• Hindi or Arabic is advantageous

This opportunity would suit someone who wants to move beyond traditional freight forwarding and play a foundational role in building an AI-powered freight platform, with direct influence over the product, rate engine and commercial success of the business.

*** Only successful candidates will be contacted ***