Pricing Specialist – Procurement

Hillebrand Gori - A company of DHL; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Hillebrand Gori - A company of DHL is seeking a Pricing Specialist – Procurement to source, negotiate, and maintain competitive freight rates across global carrier networks, supporting commercial growth and profitable quotations.

This role collaborates with Sales, Operations, Product, and Carrier Management to maximize margins while meeting service standards, manage tenders, and deliver accurate pricing for RFQs.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in freight forwarding, logistics pricing, procurement, or commercial analysis.
• Proven experience obtaining and negotiating logistics supplier rates.
• Strong understanding of international transportation and supply chain operations.

Responsibilities

• Source and negotiate competitive freight rates and tariffs with carriers and providers.
• Prepare accurate quotations for import, export and cross-trade shipments.
• Develop pricing models and cost analyses to support proposals.
• Support RFQs, RFPs, and tender submissions across regions.
• Monitor market trends and provide pricing guidance to teams.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations and Finance on profitability and compliance.
• Maintain pricing databases and ensure data integrity for tender processes.
• Produce pricing and procurement performance reports for management.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

CIPS qualification

Professional qualification in Procurement/Logistics

Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Excel

Pricing platforms

Freight forwarding systems

Job description

Role Purpose

The Pricing Specialist – Procurement is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and maintaining competitive freight rates and logistics service costs across global carrier and supplier networks. The role supports commercial growth by delivering accurate, timely, and competitive pricing solutions for customer quotations, tenders, and strategic business opportunities.

Working closely with Sales, Operations, Product, and Carrier Management teams, the Pricing Specialist ensures that pricing proposals maximize profitability while meeting customer requirements and maintaining service quality.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Source and procure competitive rates from ocean carriers, airlines, haulage providers, warehouses, customs brokers, and other logistics service providers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with carriers, vendors, and strategic partners.
• Negotiate freight rates, surcharges, service agreements, and contract terms.
• Monitor supplier performance and recommend improvements or alternative sourcing options.
• Support annual carrier and supplier procurement exercises.

Pricing & Quotations

• Prepare accurate and competitive customer quotations for import, export, and cross-trade shipments.
• Calculate complete transportation costs, including freight, local charges, customs fees, warehousing, and value-added services.
• Ensure margin targets are achieved and pricing complies with company profitability requirements.
• Respond to quotation requests within agreed service-level timelines.
• Maintain pricing databases and tariff management systems.

Tender Management

• Support local, regional, and global RFQs, RFPs, and tender submissions.
• Collect and analyse supplier rate information to develop competitive bid responses.
• Coordinate with commercial and operational teams to ensure pricing solutions are commercially viable and operationally executable.
• Prepare pricing models, cost analyses, and tender documentation.

Market Intelligence & Analysis

• Monitor market trends affecting freight rates, carrier capacity, fuel surcharges, and trade lane developments.
• Analyse rate fluctuations and identify opportunities for cost optimisation.
• Provide market insights and pricing guidance to sales and management teams.
• Track competitor pricing trends and industry developments.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with Sales teams to support customer acquisition and retention activities.
• Work closely with Operations to understand service capabilities and operational costs.
• Collaborate with Finance on profitability analysis and margin management.
• Support regional and global procurement initiatives.

Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records of supplier rates, contracts, and pricing agreements.
• Produce regular pricing and procurement performance reports.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and commercial governance standards.
• Support audits and internal controls related to procurement and pricing activities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Quote turnaround time.
• Procurement savings achieved.
• Supplier performance and compliance.
• Accuracy of pricing and cost calculations.
• Rate database maintenance and integrity.

Essential

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
• Excellent numerical and analytical abilities.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.

Desirable

• Experience with freight forwarding operating systems and pricing platforms.
• Knowledge of ocean freight, air freight, road freight, short sea, intermodal and customs processes.
• Familiarity with procurement methodologies and contract management.
• Experience supporting global tenders and strategic bids.

Essential

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in freight forwarding, logistics pricing, procurement, or commercial analysis.
• Proven experience obtaining and negotiating logistics supplier rates.
• Strong understanding of international transportation and supply chain operations.

Desirable

• Professional qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, or Business.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent.
• Experience within a multinational freight forwarding environment.

The successful candidate will be commercially focused, highly analytical, and capable of building strong relationships both internally and externally. They will thrive in a fast-paced freight forwarding environment and demonstrate a proactive approach to securing competitive procurement solutions that drive customer satisfaction and business profitability.