Ocean Freight Import Operations Supervisor - Brisbane Station

DHL Global Forwarding; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working after onboarding

Great Place to Work

Wellbeing program: fitness subsidy

Career development opportunities

Supportive team

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding in Brisbane is seeking an Ocean Freight Import Operations Supervisor to lead the Ocean Import Operations, Customer Operations, and Transport Operations teams at the Brisbane Station. You will drive productivity, service quality, and profitability while ensuring compliance with SOPs and regulatory obligations.

You will coach and develop staff, manage performance and onboarding, build strong relationships with customers and suppliers, and act as the escalation point for

Qualifications

• Experience in International Freight Forwarding, specifically Ocean Freight operations.
• Proven leadership in managing operational teams.
• Experience in performance management, coaching, recruitment, and workforce planning.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commercial acumen driving productivity, service and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop teams across Ocean Import Operations, Customer Operations, and Transport Operations.
• Manage all people-related responsibilities: performance management, onboarding, training, employee engagement and development.
• Ensure all activities align with DHL SOPs, customer requirements, service commitments, and regulatory obligations.
• Drive productivity, service excellence, and gross profit across operations.
• Monitor performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives for efficiency and quality.
• Act as escalation point for customer, supplier, network and operational issues.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, carriers and stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for business growth, customer retention, and service enhancement.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and DHL requirements.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Coaching

Recruitment

Workforce planning

Customer service

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem solving

Prioritization

Commercial acumen

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

Join Our Dynamic Team at DHL Global Forwarding!

We are looking for an Ocean Freight Import Operations Supervisor to join our team in our Brisbane Station.

About Us

We are the leading global brand in the logistics industry, offering an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services across multiple modes of transportation to a diverse range of customers across the globe. We connect people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling sustainable global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries, including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing and energy, auto-mobility, and retail, we are decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world.”

Overall Job Purpose

As the Ocean Freight Operations Supervisor, you will provide leadership across our Ocean Import Operations, Customer Operations, and Transport Operations teams, ensuring the efficient and compliant execution of all operational activities while delivering exceptional customer outcomes.

Leading a team, you will be responsible for the overall performance, development, engagement, and wellbeing of your team. You will drive productivity, operational excellence, service quality, and profitability while fostering a strong customer‑centric culture and continuously identifying opportunities to improve processes and operational efficiency.

As a key operational leader within the Brisbane business, you will act as the primary escalation point for customer and operational issues, collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, and contribute to the achievement of station and national business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop teams across Ocean Import Operations, Customer Operations, and Transport Operations.
• Manage all people‑related responsibilities for the team, including performance management, onboarding, training, employee engagement, and development.
• Ensure all operational activities are performed in accordance with DHL Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), customer requirements, service commitments, and regulatory obligations.
• Drive productivity, service excellence, and gross profit performance across all operational functions.
• Monitor operational performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Act as the primary escalation point for customer, supplier, network, and operational issues.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, carriers, transport providers, and internal stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for business growth, customer retention, and service enhancement.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and company requirements relating to commodities, destinations, transport providers, and shipments.
• Manage supplier performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Ensure all operational, financial, quality, and service KPIs are achieved or exceeded.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and develop a high‑performing, engaged, and customer‑focused team.
• Deliver operational excellence across Ocean Imports, Customer Operations, and Transport Operations.
• Drive productivity, service quality, and profitability.
• Create a positive team culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong customer relationships that support retention and growth opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with all DHL policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Support the achievement of station and national business objectives.

To Be Successful You Will Need

• Previous experience in International Freight Forwarding, preferably within Ocean Freight operations.
• Strong operational knowledge of Ocean Freight Imports, customer service, and transport operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing operational teams.
• Experience in employee performance management, coaching, recruitment, and workforce planning.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience driving productivity, service, and profitability outcomes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• CargoWise experience will be highly regarded.
• Full working rights within Australia.

What To Expect From Us

What makes DHL great? Our People!

We know each employee's individual contributions collectively ensure we remain one of the largest delivery and logistics companies worldwide. We are dedicated to being a great place to work. In addition to competitive compensation packages, our employees enjoy a range of programs, services, and benefits that bring out the best in their professional and personal lives.

• Hybrid working options available after successful onboarding.
• Consistently voted as a Great Place to Work.
• Focus on wellbeing with annual fitness subsidy.
• Career development opportunities within a global logistics leader.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.

Key improvements

• Broadened scope from a single team to Ocean Imports, Customer Operations, and Transport Operations.
• Added explicit HR responsibility for approximately 8 employees.
• Elevated the role from a team lead position to a broader operational leadership role.
• Included recruitment, performance management, succession planning, and employee engagement responsibilities.
• Added focus on station‑wide business objectives and stakeholder management.