Key Account Operations Specialist

DHL Global Forwarding Bahrain WLL; Manama; On-site; BHD 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

DHL Group in Bahrain is seeking a Key Account Operations Specialist to manage end-to-end airfreight operations for major accounts. The role acts as the main operations contact between customers, internal teams, overseas offices, carriers, and brokers, ensuring on-time, compliant, and cost-effective shipments.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in freight forwarding or logistics, strong English communication, and hands-on knowledge of air and/or ocean freight with proficiency in Excel, Outlook,

Qualifications

• Min 3 years of experience in freight forwarding, logistics, or key account operations.
• Strong operational knowledge of Air Freight and/or Ocean Freight.
• Experience handling strategic or demanding customer accounts.
• Understanding of freight documentation, customs processes, carrier coordination, and shipment milestones.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Teams, and logistics/transport management systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage day to day Airfreight shipments for assigned key accounts.
• Coordinate bookings, documentation, customs clearance, transportation, and delivery activities.
• Ensure shipments are executed according to customer SOPs, agreed routing, cut off times, and service requirements.
• Maintain ownership of shipments from booking through final delivery and file closure.
• Coordinate closely with overseas offices, gateways, carriers, and local operational teams.
• Act as the primary operational contact for assigned customers.
• Provide timely and accurate shipment status updates.
• Proactively inform customers of delays, operational risks, or service disruptions.
• Provide solutions and alternative routing options where required.
• Maintain professional communication and build strong working relationships with customer operational teams.
• Identify potential shipment issues before they become customer escalations.
• Take immediate corrective action for delays, space constraints, documentation issues, customs problems, or delivery failures.
• Escalate critical issues internally when additional support is required.
• Perform root-cause analysis for recurring operational failures and implement preventive actions.
• Monitor customer-specific and internal operational KPIs.
• Monitor billing readiness, file completion, cost accuracy, and operational exceptions.
• Review recurring service failures and develop improvement actions.

Skills

Strong written and verbal English

Air Freight knowledge

Ocean Freight knowledge

Experience handling strategic accounts

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Teams

Logistics/Transport Management Systems

Job description

Key Account Operations Specialist

Would you like to be part of the most international company in the world? A company operating in more than 220 countries worldwide and has been pioneering cross-border express shipping since 1969. Would you like to be part of a business that connects people across the globe and want to make a difference? Then waste no time and join our amazing team at DHL Group. DHL Global Forwarding, Freight (DGFF) is the Group's air, ocean, and road freight specialist. We offer standardized transport as well as highly specialized end-to-end solutions to customers in a wide range of industries globally.

Who ever said ‘‘the sky is the limit’’ never spoke to you! Because for you it’s the beginning DHL Global Forwarding has an opening for Key Account Operations Specialist in Manama, Bahrain.

Key Account Operations specialist is responsible for the end to end operational management of assigned key accounts, ensuring shipments are executed accurately, proactively, and in line with agreed customer requirements. The role acts as the main operational contact between customers, internal teams, overseas offices, carriers, customs brokers, and other service providers. A key focus is to identify risks early, resolve exceptions quickly, maintain strong operational KPIs, and continuously improve service quality.

Join us in connecting people and improving lives!

In this Key Account Operations Specialist position

• Manage day to day Airfreight shipments for assigned key accounts.
• Coordinate bookings, documentation, customs clearance, transportation, and delivery activities.
• Ensure shipments are executed according to customer SOPs, agreed routing, cut off times, and service requirements.
• Maintain ownership of shipments from booking through final delivery and file closure.
• Coordinate closely with overseas offices, gateways, carriers, and local operational teams.
• Act as the primary operational contact for assigned customers.
• Provide timely and accurate shipment status updates.
• Proactively inform customers of delays, operational risks, or service disruptions.
• Provide solutions and alternative routing options where required.
• Maintain professional communication and build strong working relationships with customer operational teams.
• Identify potential shipment issues before they become customer escalations.
• Take immediate corrective action for delays, space constraints, documentation issues, customs problems, or delivery failures.
• Escalate critical issues internally when additional support is required.
• Perform root-cause analysis for recurring operational failures and implement preventive actions.
• Monitor customer-specific and internal operational KPIs.
• Monitor billing readiness, file completion, cost accuracy, and operational exceptions.
• Review recurring service failures and develop improvement actions.

Now, here is what we need from you!

• Min 3 years of experience in freight forwarding, logistics, or key account operations preferred.
• Strong operational knowledge of Air Freight and/or Ocean Freight (preferably).
• Experience handling strategic or demanding customer accounts.
• Understanding of freight documentation, customs processes, carrier coordination, and shipment milestones.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Teams, and logistics/transport management systems.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.

We offer:

• Opportunities in a global company where you can contribute your ideas and skills to move towards our shared goals.
• Possible further career development
• Competitive salary

Why join DHL Global Forwarding?

We are part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading logistics provider with operations in over 220 countries. Visit our career site on the web at https://www.logistics.dhl/us-en/home/careers.html

OurTOP EMPLOYER prestigious certificationattests to our best-in-class efforts to attract and retain talent by fostering a positive work environment and encouraging personal and professional development among employees.The development of talented women in our organization will be a focus for us and an important part of our DGF Strategy 2025.

We aspire to become the undisputed leader in our industry,when people think of forwarding; we want them to think DGFbecause we have:

• Thelargest global networkwith more than 30,000 passionate employees
• The mostefficient processesandfastest response times
• Thebest solutionsandbest customer service

Our Vision:The Logistics Company for the World.

Our Mission:Excellence. Simply Delivered.
Our Purpose:Connecting People, improving lives.
Our Values:Respect & Results
Our Goals:Employer, Provider, and Investment of Choice, Living Responsibility

DHL Global Forwarding is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.