Tech-Enabled Ocean Freight Rates & Operations Lead

Salt Digital Recruitment; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt Digital Recruitment is looking for a Head of Logistics / Rate Procurement & Operations to own the supply side for a fast-growing logistics tech platform. The role demands hands-on leadership in ocean freight, rate procurement and carrier relationships with a focus on India-UAE and expansion into future markets.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in ocean freight/FCL, established NVOCC relationships, and a proven ability to source and negotiate competitive rates while guiding operational

Qualifications

• 5+ years in ocean freight/FCL within forwarding, NVOCC or carrier environments.
• Strong knowledge of the India-UAE trade lane.
• Established relationships with NVOCCs and regional carriers in India/GCC.
• Proven experience sourcing and negotiating ocean freight rates.
• Understanding of spot vs contract rates and surcharges.
• Experience running a freight desk or similar operation.
• Strong commercial judgement with operational knowledge.
• Hands-on in a fast-paced startup environment; knowledge of CargoWise/Freightos is an advantage.
• Hindi or Arabic language ability is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end ocean freight rate procurement across the India-UAE FCL corridor and future markets.
• Build and manage relationships with NVOCCs, regional carriers and other rate sources.
• Negotiate competitive spot rates, contracts, special agreements and surcharges.
• Monitor market pricing, capacity, transit times and carrier activity.
• Lead the rate procurement and operations desk and build the team as the business scales.
• Act as the senior escalation point for operational and customer issues.
• Work closely with Product & Technology to improve the AI-powered quoting and booking platform.
• Validate automated quotes against live market conditions and provide industry insight to improve the platform.
• Support commercial growth and key accounts during the company's early-stage expansion.

Skills

Ocean freight

FCL experience

NVOCC relations

Rate negotiation

Spot vs contract rates

Transit times

Freight desk

Commercial judgement

Entrepreneurial mindset

CargoWise

Freightos

Hindi

Arabic

Tools

CargoWise

Freightos

Job description

Salt Digital Recruitment is looking for a Head of Logistics / Rate Procurement & Operations to own the supply side for a fast-growing logistics tech platform. The role demands hands-on leadership in ocean freight, rate procurement and carrier relationships with a focus on India-UAE and expansion into future markets.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in ocean freight/FCL, established NVOCC relationships, and a proven ability to source and negotiate competitive rates while guiding operational