Shipment Director

Azizi Developments; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Azizi Group seeks an accomplished Director–Shipping & Clearance to lead its shipping, customs clearance, and logistics operations across sea, air, and land. You will develop and implement the shipping strategy, manage global logistics, and optimize costs for large-scale Dubai projects.

The role requires 15+ years in Shipping/Logistics, 8+ years in leadership, and strong knowledge of UAE regulations, Incoterms, and SAP/Oracle ERP.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification will be an advantage.
• Professional certifications such as CSCP, CMILT, or equivalent are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Group’s shipping, customs clearance, and logistics strategy.
• Lead and manage international and local logistics operations across sea, air, and land.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, transport companies, ports, and relevant authorities.
• Negotiate freight, shipping, and transportation contracts to achieve competitive commercial terms and cost savings.
• Monitor vessel schedules, ETAs, shipment status, and overall shipment visibility.
• Manage import and export activities in compliance with UAE Customs regulations and applicable government requirements.
• Oversee customs clearance, port operations, and government approvals to ensure smooth movement of shipments.
• Minimize and avoid demurrage, detention, port storage, and other unnecessary logistics costs.
• Review and ensure accuracy of Bills of Lading, Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, Certificates of Origin, and other shipping documentation.
• Coordinate closely with suppliers, procurement, finance, warehouse, and project teams.
• Plan shipping and logistics activities in line with project construction schedules and material requirements.
• Ensure timely delivery of materials, equipment, and machinery to projects.
• Oversee transportation planning and local clearance operations.
• Develop and monitor shipping and logistics KPIs, management reports, and operational dashboards.
• Identify shipping and logistics risks and implement appropriate mitigation and recovery plans.
• Manage cargo insurance claims and applicable war-risk charges when required.
• Ensure compliance with Incoterms, Letters of Credit (LC), company policies, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Lead and develop the Shipping, Logistics, Customs, and Clearance teams.
• Prepare and manage annual shipping and logistics budgets and drive measurable cost savings.
• Drive continuous process improvement, operational efficiency, and HSE compliance across logistics operations.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related

MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification

CSCP

CMILT

Tools

SAP

Oracle ERP

Job description

Azizi Group is one of the UAE’s leading real estate development groups, delivering large-scale residential, commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use developments across Dubai. With a strong focus on operational excellence, quality, and timely project delivery, the Group manages complex supply chain, procurement, shipping, and logistics operations supporting its growing portfolio of developments.

We are seeking an accomplished Director – Shipping & Clearance to lead the Group’s shipping, customs clearance, and logistics operations. The successful individual will be responsible for developing and implementing the company’s shipping and clearance strategy, managing international and local logistics operations across sea, air, and land, and ensuring the timely and cost-effective movement of materials, equipment, and machinery required for our projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Group’s shipping, customs clearance, and logistics strategy.
• Lead and manage international and local logistics operations across sea, air, and land.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, transport companies, ports, and relevant authorities.
• Negotiate freight, shipping, and transportation contracts to achieve competitive commercial terms and cost savings.
• Monitor vessel schedules, ETAs, shipment status, and overall shipment visibility.
• Manage import and export activities in compliance with UAE Customs regulations and applicable government requirements.
• Oversee customs clearance, port operations, and government approvals to ensure smooth movement of shipments.
• Minimize and avoid demurrage, detention, port storage, and other unnecessary logistics costs.
• Review and ensure accuracy of Bills of Lading, Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, Certificates of Origin, and other shipping documentation.
• Coordinate closely with suppliers, procurement, finance, warehouse, and project teams.
• Plan shipping and logistics activities in line with project construction schedules and material requirements.
• Ensure timely delivery of materials, equipment, and machinery to projects.
• Oversee transportation planning and local clearance operations.
• Develop and monitor shipping and logistics KPIs, management reports, and operational dashboards.
• Identify shipping and logistics risks and implement appropriate mitigation and recovery plans.
• Manage cargo insurance claims and applicable war-risk charges when required.
• Ensure compliance with Incoterms, Letters of Credit (LC), company policies, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Lead and develop the Shipping, Logistics, Customs, and Clearance teams.
• Prepare and manage annual shipping and logistics budgets and drive measurable cost savings.
• Drive continuous process improvement, operational efficiency, and HSE compliance across logistics operations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification will be an advantage.
• Professional certifications such as CSCP, CMILT, or equivalent are preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in Shipping, Logistics, and Supply Chain operations in the UAE.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in a senior management or leadership role.
• Proven experience working with UAE real estate developers, major construction contractors, or large project-based organizations.
• Strong knowledge of international shipping, UAE customs regulations, ports, freight forwarding, transportation, warehousing, and project logistics.
• Strong understanding of Incoterms, Letters of Credit, import/export documentation, customs procedures, and cargo insurance.
• Demonstrated experience in freight contract negotiation, logistics cost optimization, and avoidance of demurrage and detention charges.
• Proven ability to manage complex logistics requirements supporting large-scale construction projects.
• Strong leadership, commercial negotiation, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP systems.
• Excellent communication and management reporting skills.
• Fluency in English is required.