Global Air Logistics Vertical Implementation Manager (m/f/d) - Aerospace/Defence

Kuehne + Nagel; Schiphol; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel in the Netherlands is seeking an experienced Global Air Logistics Vertical Implementation Manager (m/f/d) to lead and oversee complex international customer implementations within the Aerospace/Defence vertical.

You will plan, execute, and deliver projects on time and within budget, collaborate with Sales and Air Logistics leadership, and mentor junior managers while ensuring ISO 21205 quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience as a Project Manager and/or Program Manager, with a track record of delivering complex global projects.
• Strong understanding of Air Logistics operations and processes.
• Strong leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.
• PMP, PMI, Prince2 or equivalent certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead project definition, scope, and objectives with stakeholders; create detailed plans, timelines, and resource/risk management.
• Guide teams, ensure alignment with goals; monitor progress, address deviations, and resolve issues.
• Resource management: allocate resources and collaborate with functional managers for success.
• Stakeholder management: build relationships, communicate status, and highlight opportunities.
• Quality assurance: ensure deliverables meet ISO 21205 standards and drive improvements.
• Strategic coordination: work with Sales and BU Air Logistics to develop vertical goals and best practices.
• Risk and change management: identify risks and manage scope changes for successful integration.
• Mentoring/supervision: coach junior managers on vertical requirements.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder communication

PM tools proficiency

PMP/PMI/Prince2

Global project experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Project Management or related field

Tools

PM software tools

Job description

It's more than a job

As a member of the Freight Forwarding team at Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling customers' promises. By transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine.

As a Global Air Logistics Vertical Implementation Manager (m/f/d) - Aerospace/Defence, you will play a crucial role in driving project success and contributing to the growth and efficiency of the organization. Your ability to lead, collaborate, and deliver results will be essential in achieving strategic objectives and exceeding client expectations.

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Global Air Logistics Vertical Implementation Manager (m/f/d) to lead and oversee complex global customer implementation projects and programs from initiation to successful stabilization within a defined business vertical. As part of the vertical PMO, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and delivering projects on time, within scope, and within budget. You will collaborate with the related vertical leadership teams on the Sales side and the Business Unit Air Logistics side to develop vertical-related strategic goals and best practices to continuously meet market requirements and customer needs. This role requires at least 5 years of experience in leading large, complex projects and/or programs through the complete project lifecycle, preferably on an international basis, as well as a solid operational background in Air Logistics.

How you create impact

• Project Planning and Initiation: Lead project definition, scope, and objectives by collaborating with stakeholders. Create detailed plans, including timelines, resource and risk management.
• Project Execution and Control: Guide teams, ensuring alignment with goals. Monitor progress, address deviations, and maintain proactive issue resolution.
• Resource Management: Allocate and secure resources, collaborating with functional managers for expertise and success.
• Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships, communicate status, be transparent and highlight opportunities effectively.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure deliverables meet Kuehne+Nagel and ISO 21205 standards, conduct evaluations, and suggest and implement improvements.
• Competence & Strategy: Collaborate closely with stakeholders of the assigned PMO vertical within the Sales and Business Unit Air Logistics organization to develop and lead strategic internal projects to further grow the success of vertical-specific implementation management.
• Risk & Change Management: Identify and mitigate risks, manage scope changes professionally for successful integration.
• Mentoring/Supervision: Serve as a patient mentor, coaching, sharing best practices, fostering learning, and guiding junior managers on the assigned vertical requirements.

What we would like you to bring

• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience as a Project Manager and/or Program Manager, with a track record of successfully delivering complex global projects in the assigned business vertical.
• Strong understanding of Air Logistics operations and processes.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.
• Project Management Professional (PMP, PMI, Prince2) or equivalent certification is a plus.

What's in it for you

At Kuehne+Nagel, you get to grow your expertise, shape processes and deliver innovative solutions. We are continuously building our local and global network and our product portfolio, creating career opportunities in different fields of work worldwide. As a leader in the logistics industry, we provide a collaborative and IT-driven environment where you will work with motivated and customer-centric colleagues across the world.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.