Global Freight Forwarding & Logistics Manager (m/f/d)

Grünenthal Group; Aachen; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Grünenthal Group in Germany is seeking a Senior Logistics Manager to oversee global freight forwarding and 3PL operations within a hybrid work model. You will drive KPI governance, optimize transport lanes, and lead cost-effective logistics strategies across the organization.

The role requires 5+ years in global logistics, strong regulatory knowledge, and excellent stakeholder management. Join us to advance end-to-end supply chain excellence and digital transformation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Global Logistics or end-to-end Supply Chain roles.
• Experience with GDP, Incoterms and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills in global environments.
• Knowledge of international trade regulations, customs procedures, and transportation compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of global freight forwarding and 3PL operations, ensuring cost efficiency, service performance, and GDP compliance.
• Lead the global freight forwarder and 3PL portfolio across all transportation modes, driving performance via KPI governance and cost optimization.
• Define and optimize transportation lanes, routings, and supply chain flows while aligning with Quality and GDP requirements.
• Manage transportation budgets, freight rates, and logistics cost structures, supporting forecasting and strategic decisions.
• Drive logistics digitalization through visibility tools, automated reporting, and standardized analytics for data-driven decisions.
• Act as the global transportation and logistics expert, providing market intelligence and risk mitigation strategies.
• Handle escalations from local/global teams related to service issues, disruptions, or claims.

Skills

Logistics management

GDP compliance

Incoterms knowledge

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

University degree in Business Administration

Industrial Engineering

Supply Chain Management

Job description

Professional | Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid

Our people in Manufacturing & Global Operations share two priorities: getting things done and making things better. If you’re a dynamic person with a positive mindset, you’ll fit in well here. It’s an international team with a powerful spirit of collaboration. Together, we make sure our products meet the highest standards of quality by constantly searching for ways to improve at every stage of our value chain – from the raw materials we buy through to the logistics network that brings our medicines to patients. Join our team and help us make an even bigger contribution to Grünenthal’s future.

What The Job Looks Like

• Providing strategic oversight of global freight forwarding and 3PL operations, ensuring cost efficiency, service performance, and compliance with GDP, IATA, and applicable regulations.
• Leading the global freight forwarder and 3PL portfolio across all transportation modes, driving performance through KPI governance, cost optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Defining and optimizing transportation lanes, routings, and supply chain flows while ensuring alignment with Quality and GDP requirements.
• Managing transportation budgets, freight rates, and logistics cost structures while supporting forecasting and strategic decision-making.
• Driving logistics digitalization through visibility tools, automated reporting, and standardized analytics to enable data-driven decisions.
• Acting as the global transportation and logistics expert, providing market intelligence, risk mitigation strategies, and leadership for operational excellence and change initiatives.
• Managing escalations from local / global teams related to recurring service issues, complex topics, disruptions, exceptions, or claim management.

What You'll Bring To The Table

• University degree, preferably in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a comparable role, ideally within Global Logistics, Freight Forwarding, or end-to-end Supply Chain environments.
• Proven experience working with GDP requirements, Incoterms, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Strong expertise in international logistics operations, including transportation, warehousing, and distribution.
• Sound knowledge of international trade regulations, customs procedures, and transportation compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, stakeholder management, negotiation, and problem-solving skills in a global environment.

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" We are experts on bringing people, partners, and ideas together to turn logistics complexity into scalable performance and shared successes.

If you are driven by a deep passion for logistics excellence and process optimization, this position pioneers global freight forwarding transformation - building robust partnerships, enabling end-to-end visibility, and shaping smarter ways of moving goods worldwide. "

Lorena Cevallos Zhegulova , the Hiring Manager