Assistant Manager, APAC Transportation & Forwarder Management

Daimler Trucks North America LLC; Puchong; On-site; MYR 20,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive manufacturer is seeking an Assistant Manager for APAC Transportation & Forwarder Management. The role involves managing transportation planning and supplier initiatives across logistics centers in the APAC region. Candidates should have a relevant degree and at least 3 years of experience in logistics or supply chain management. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in MS Office are essential for success in this dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years in automotive or corporate business sectors.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and conceptual skills.
• Ability to work effectively across cultures and mindsets.

Responsibilities

• Support the management of the transportation network in the APAC region.
• Assist in managing road forwarder contracts for logistics centers.
• Drive daily decision-making for transportation projects.
• Implement and promote forwarder qualification programs.

Skills

Transportation planning management

Supplier management

Data analysis skills

Strong MS Office skills

Logistics management

Project management

Customer relationship management

Education

Master's or bachelor's degree in business engineering, business, transportation, or purchasing

Tools

MS Office

MS BI

Job description

Job Description - Assistant Manager, APAC Transportation & Forwarder Management (MER0003RXT)

Description

You will be supporting the management of the full lifecycle of our road transportation network in the APAC region:

Transportation planning management & contract phase: from concept/specifications to contract awarding.

Ø Supplier management (before go-live and after go-live):

Managing supplier implementation to ensure go-live and maintaining quality in day-to-day operations, especially when supplier performance does not meet MB expectations & specifications.

Transportation Planning Management:

· Support the L5 manager and act as deputy.

· Assist in managing road forwarder contracts for approximately 10 logistics centers in Asia Pacific, collaborating closely with CoC colleagues in Germany, Spain, and North America.

• Contribute to spare part logistics transportation cost-saving initiatives in APAC, including 5-10 tenders annually, and other transport-related projects in collaboration with teams in Germany and central departments.
• Ensure transportation projects and tenders are managed timely and effectively, driving daily decision-making.
• Support overall project management of road transportation projects, including milestone reviews, steering committees, working groups, and escalation meetings with forwarders and procurement teams.
• Assist with transportation-related queries and ad hoc requests concerning setup, strategy, or modifications across all APAC logistics centers.
• Support the setup and ramp-up of the GCSP global forwarder quality management system within APAC, including potential analysis and audits.
• Implement and promote forwarder qualification programs, including audits and quality tools, establishing standards.
• Drive lessons-learned and training initiatives to improve project quality, supplier performance, and stakeholder qualification.
• Assist in optimizing planning and purchasing processes, developing new methods for faster and more flexible operations.
• Ensure day-to-day escalation initiatives with freight suppliers meet MB specifications.

Qualifications

Education:

Master's or bachelor's degree in business engineering, business, transportation, purchasing, or equivalent.

Experience:

At least 3 years in automotive or corporate business sectors.

Strong MS Office skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word; BI).

Data analysis skills (MS BI, dashboards, Control Tower).

• Experience in supply chain or logistics management.
• Experience in customer relationship management.

Ability to work effectively across cultures, languages, and mindsets.

Relevant experience as a project manager, purchaser, consultant, or logistics manager in demanding environments.

Solid logistics/supply chain management experience, preferably with an international freight forwarder, industrial, or trading company.

Auditor training (internal or external), e.g., VDA or APQP standards.

Analytical, strategic, and conceptual skills, with strong communication abilities (conflict management, escalation handling).

Knowledge of Lean Management.

Initiative, accountability, solution-oriented mindset, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Skilled in storytelling, team collaboration, organization, and stakeholder communication.

Passionate about creating compelling PowerPoint presentations and storytelling.

Specific Knowledge:

• Excellent computer skills, especially in MS Office—Word, Excel, PowerPoint—and data analysis.