EMEA Ocean Operations Director — Scale & Automate

Flexport; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Flexport is seeking a Director, EMEA Ocean Operations to lead Senior Managers and drive end-to-end ocean gateway operations across the EMEA region. You will set one operating standard, align local market variations, and shape the multi-year strategy for ocean freight across FCL and LCL.

You will own the automation roadmap with Product and Engineering, manage executive relationships, and ensure delivery aligns with commercial promises while maintaining operational excellence.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years in cross-border supply chains, logistics and/or freight forwarding, with ocean freight experience.
• 5+ years of people management experience, including managing managers.
• 3+ years in customer-facing roles, with experience managing senior client or partner relationships.
• Experience running operations across several countries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a leadership team of Senior Managers and Managers across EMEA Ocean Operations.
• Own end-to-end EMEA ocean gateway operations (FCL and LCL) across all markets.
• Define and deliver the multi-year EMEA ocean strategy and planning cycles.
• Drive the EMEA ocean automation roadmap with Product, Engineering and Operational Excellence.
• Present as the senior operations voice to EMEA Operational Excellence and Global Product.
• Report to the EMEA Head of Operations and contribute to the EMEA Senior Leadership Team.
• Collaborate with EMEA commercial leadership and global operations to align promises and delivery.
• Hold executive-level relationships with key clients, carriers and partner operators.
• Use data to identify bottlenecks and set organizational metrics and reviews.
• Own the long-term capacity plan and staffing models for seasonal peaks and growth.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Customer relationships

Data-driven

Analytical thinking

Education

BA/BS degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management or equivalent experience

Tools

Claude

N8N

Looker

Excel

Job description

Flexport is seeking a Director, EMEA Ocean Operations to lead Senior Managers and drive end-to-end ocean gateway operations across the EMEA region. You will set one operating standard, align local market variations, and shape the multi-year strategy for ocean freight across FCL and LCL.

You will own the automation roadmap with Product and Engineering, manage executive relationships, and ensure delivery aligns with commercial promises while maintaining operational excellence.