Senior Operational Key Account Manager

Jobtailor; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced Senior Logistics Manager to lead end-to-end defense logistics operations, covering air and sea freight, customs, and warehouse coordination.

You will build strong relationships with defense accounts, monitor KPIs, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement across cross-functional teams. This role requires leadership, contract management, and deep defense logistics knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Proven experience in air and sea freight operations and oversized projects (Charters, breakbulk).
• Proficiency in logistics software (WMS, TMS, ERP) and MS Office.
• Extensive Experience in Defense industry (military, MOD & GHQ controlled).
• Proven Expertise in handling complex tenders for large defense/government customers.
• Strong understanding of Defense air and sea freight operations and regulations & Export control /ITAR/MOD/DGR (Class 1 cargo) Awareness.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end logistics operations for key Defense/government clients, including air and sea freight forwarding, customs clearance, and warehouse coordination.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key Defense accounts to ensure customer satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure timely and accurate delivery service.
• Monitor KPIs/SLA, operational metrics, and service levels; implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with international shipping regulations, documentation requirements, and company policies.
• Handle client escalations, providing solutions and acting as liaison between clients and operations.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes and reduce costs.
• Prepare regular reports for management on account performance and feedback.
• Oversee scheduling, planning, and allocation of resources for air and sea shipments.
• Any other related duties assigned by supervisor to meet business needs.

Skills

Logistics Operations Management

Air And Sea Freight Operations

Defense Industry Experience

Client Relationship Management

Logistics Software Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics or related field

Tools

WMS

TMS

ERP

MS Office

Job description

• Manage end-to-end logistics operations for key Defense/government clients, including air and sea freight forwarding, customs clearance(Export / import control), and warehouse coordination.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key Defense accounts to ensure customer satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
• Coordinate with internal departments (operations, customer service, finance, compliance) to ensure timely and accurate delivery service.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs/SLA), operational metrics, and service levels; implement corrective actions when needed.
• Ensure compliance with international shipping regulations, documentation requirements, and company policies.
• Handle client escalations efficiently, providing solutions and acting as the main liaison between clients and operational teams.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes, reduce costs, and enhance service quality.
• Prepare regular reports for management on account performance, operational challenges, and client feedback.
• Oversee scheduling, planning, and allocation of resources for air and sea shipments.
• Any other related duties/projects assigned by the direct supervisor from time to time to meet business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Proven experience in air and sea freight operations and oversized projects(Charters,breakbulk)
• Proficiency in logistics software (WMS, TMS, ERP) and MS Office.
• Extensive Experience in Defense industry (military, MOD & GHQ controlled )
• Proven Expertise in handling complex tenders for large defense/government customers.
• Strong understanding of Defense air and sea freight operations and regulations & Export control /ITAR/MOD/DGR (Class 1 cargo) Awareness.
• Excellent Defense client relationship management and communication skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Leadership and team coordination skills.
• Strong negotiation and contract management capabilities.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing logistics operations for Defense clients, with a strong focus on air and sea freight forwarding, compliance with international shipping regulations, and client relationship management. Proven ability to analyze performance metrics and implement process improvements to enhance service quality and operational efficiency.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Logistics Operations Management
• Air And Sea Freight Operations
• Defense Industry Experience
• Client Relationship Management
• Logistics Software Proficiency

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Air Freight Forwarding
• Sea Freight Forwarding
• Customs Clearance
• Logistics Software (WMS, TMS, ERP)
• Export Control Regulations
• Tender Management
• Operational Metrics Monitoring
• KPI Implementation
• Resource Allocation
• Process Optimization

Soft Skills

• Analytical Skills
• Problem-Solving Abilities
• Leadership Skills
• Communication Skills
• Negotiation Skills

Industry Keywords

• Defense Logistics
• Military Logistics
• MOD
• GHQ Controlled
• ITAR
• DGR
• Charters
• Breakbulk
• Client Escalation Management
• Continuous Improvement Initiatives

Tools & Technologies

• WMS
• TMS
• ERP
• MS Office