Regional Director

Dp World; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

DP World is seeking a Southern Regional Manager to drive airfreight growth and develop export opportunities across the Southern region. You will report to the VP Freight Forwarding North Europe and lead cross-functional teams to deliver strategic expansion and operational excellence.

The role requires extensive experience in freight forwarding, airfreight operations and a proven track record of leading large teams across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• GCSE Level 2 qualification or equivalent.
• Degree in Logistics, International Trade or related discipline would be advantageous.
• BIFA IFF Apprenticeship or other freight forwarding qualifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall operational leadership across the Southern region, ensuring offices operate effectively and in line with objectives.
• Take responsibility for operational performance, service delivery, resource planning and continuous improvement.
• Ensure high service levels across functions, focusing on customer experience, productivity, quality and commercial performance.
• Oversee resource planning and workforce management to ensure adequate coverage.
• Lead regional teams with clear accountability and effective communication.
• Drive the Southern region's airfreight growth strategy and identify opportunities to increase volumes and revenue.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Airfreight operations

Strategic planning

Commercial acumen

Team development

Communication

Travel flexibility

English fluency

Education

GCSE Level 2

Degree in Logistics/International Trade

BIFA IFF Apprenticeship

Job description

DP World is a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, connecting businesses and economies through world‑class freight forwarding, transportation and logistics services.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Southern Regional Manager to drive the growth and development of our Air Freight product across the Southern region. Reporting to the VP Freight Forwarding North Europe, this role will play a pivotal part in expanding our airfreight offering, strengthening our export capabilities and delivering sustainable revenue growth through strategic customer development and operational excellence.

Our successful candidate will be responsible for leading the regional airfreight strategy, with a particular focus on growing export volumes, developing new airfreight business opportunities and enhancing our market position across the Southern region. Working closely with commercial, operational and product teams, you will identify opportunities to increase airfreight revenue, improve profitability and strengthen customer relationships. Whilst maintaining oversight of regional operational performance, the primary focus of the role will be to champion airfreight growth, develop scalable export solutions and build a high‑performing airfreight operation capable of supporting DP World’s ambitious growth plans. You’ll ideally be an experienced Freight Forwarding leader with strong airfreight expertise, commercial acumen and a proven track record of delivering product growth and business development success.

Location: Hybrid, Heathrow with twice monthly travel to Basildon Essex

How you will contribute:

• Provide overall operational leadership and direction across the Southern region, ensuring all offices operate effectively, efficiently and in line with company objectives.
• Take overall responsibility for operational performance, service delivery, resource planning and continuous improvement across the region.
• Ensure consistently high service levels across all operational functions, with particular focus on customer experience, productivity, quality and commercial performance.
• Ensure sufficient operational cover across all departments through effective resource planning and workforce management.
• Maintain effective workload allocation across teams to ensure resources are utilised efficiently.
• Conduct regular meetings with operational management teams and direct reports, ensuring clear accountability and communication.
• Provide strong regional leadership and subject matter expertise across airfreight operations.
• Drive the Southern region's airfreight growth strategy, identifying opportunities to increase airfreight volumes, revenue, margin and customer penetration.
• Work closely with commercial and operational teams to develop and implement regional airfreight growth initiatives.
• Identify market trends, customer requirements and competitive opportunities and convert them into practical business initiatives.
• Support the onboarding and implementation of new airfreight customers, ensuring a seamless transition into operations.
• Provide leadership, motivation and direction to direct reports and operational teams, fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Manage employee performance, development, disciplinary matters and employee relations issues in line with company policies.
• Identify regional training and development requirements and implement appropriate development plans.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and ongoing support to operational teams and managers.
• Monitor attendance, absence trends and employee wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensure month‑end operational processes are completed in accordance with company requirements.
• Conduct regular operational quality checks and implement corrective actions where required.
• Monitor key operational control reports and management information to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, operational procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain high standards of operational discipline, process compliance and professional working practices.
• Ensure teams are trained and fully informed regarding changes to operational systems and processes.
• Provide support and guidance on operational systems and drive best practice adoption across the region.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, automation, operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Monitor industry developments and implement changes where required to maintain competitiveness and compliance.
• Provide regular operational, performance and management reporting to senior leadership.
• Identify operational risks, issues and opportunities and ensure they are appropriately escalated and resolved.
• Support the successful implementation of new customer accounts and ensure operational readiness across the region.

About you:

QUALIFICATIONS

• GCSE Level 2 qualification or equivalent.
• Degree in Logistics, International Trade, Supply Chain or a related discipline would be advantageous.
• BIFA IFF Apprenticeship or other freight forwarding qualifications are desirable.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 15 years’ experience within Freight Forwarding.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in a management or leadership position.
• Strong experience across airfreight operations.
• Experience within both LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load) operations is advantageous.
• Proven experience leading large operational teams across multiple locations.
• Experience driving operational excellence, business growth and change initiatives.

SKILLS

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent leadership, coaching and people management capability.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• High attention to detail and operational accuracy.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills and the ability to identify and resolve root causes.
• Strong commercial acumen and focus on business performance.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across diverse teams.
• Results‑oriented with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Flexibility to travel regularly across regional locations as required.
• Fluent written and spoken English; additional languages would be an advantage.

Compensation

DP World offers exciting and challenging roles within a growing international organization. We strive to hire and develop the right people, locally and globally, stimulating personal growth and self‑development within an informal atmosphere. We offer a market competitive compensation package.

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 103,000 employees spanning 75 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses – Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end‑to‑end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades. The DP World family comprises of syncreon, Imperial and P&O.

What’s more, we’re reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW

TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE

DP World is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We strongly believe that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success and we make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We believe that employees are happiest when they’re empowered to be their true, authentic selves. So, please come as you are. We can’t wait to meet you.

By submitting your resume and application information, you authorize DP World to transmit and store your information in the world‑wide recruitment database, and to circulate that information as necessary for the purpose of evaluating your qualifications for this or other job vacancies.