Interim Backoffice Transformation Manager (Freight Forwarding)

Michael Page (Netherlands); Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page (Netherlands) is seeking an Interim Backoffice Transformation Manager (Freight Forwarding) to lead a 6‑month on‑site assignment in Rotterdam. You will analyse quoting, booking and invoicing, design an future-state operating model and build a new back‑office team of 5–10 staff.

Fluent in English and Dutch with freight forwarding experience, you will drive standardisation, automation and KPI improvements, collaborating with IT and operations to deliver the roadmap.

Qualifications

• Proven freight forwarding experience with end-to-end processes.
• Experience leading back-office or shared service teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and bilingual Dutch/English communication.

Responsibilities

• Analyse quoting, booking and invoicing processes across freight forwarding.
• Map responsibilities, volumes, bottlenecks and system use.
• Design a future-state back-office operating model with roles and KPI structures.
• Decide which activities stay local vs centralised.
• Lead and develop a back-office team of 5–10 employees.
• Collaborate with operational managers across freight forwarding, container logistics and customs.
• Drive standardisation, automation opportunities and continuous improvement.
• Work with internal IT to improve procedures and process optimisation.
• Analyse invoicing backlogs and overdue invoices.
• Leverage CargoWise and related systems to improve workflow visibility.
• Produce process documentation and SOPs.
• Influence stakeholders and drive change without direct authority.
• Deliver an implementation roadmap for long-term operational excellence.

Skills

Freight forwarding

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

• Lead a transformation project within an international logistics organisation
• Assignment for 6 months

About Our Client

Our client is an international logistics service provider operating within the logistics distribution and supply chain sector in Rotterdam.

Job Description

In this role as Interim Backoffice Transformation Manager (Freight Forwarding) you will:

• Analyse current quoting, booking and invoicing processes across freight forwarding operations.
• Map responsibilities, transaction volumes, process bottlenecks and system usage.
• Design a future-state back-office operating model, including workflows, roles, capacity requirements and KPI structures.
• Determine which activities should remain operationally embedded and which can be centralised.
• Lead and develop a newly formed back-office team of approximately 5-10 employees.
• Collaborate closely with operational managers from freight forwarding, container logistics and customs.
• Drive process standardisation, automation opportunities and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work alongside internal IT teams to develop procedures and support process optimisation.
• Analyse invoicing backlogs, overdue invoices and operational inefficiencies.
• Leverage CargoWise and related systems to improve workflow visibility and execution.
• Produce clear process documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Influence stakeholders across the business and drive change without direct hierarchical authority.
• Deliver a practical implementation roadmap for long-term operational excellence.

The Successful Applicant

Requirements for this Interim Backoffice Transformation Manager (Freight Forwarding) role:

• Proven experience within freight forwarding (mandatory).
• Experience establishing, centralising or optimising back-office, customer service or shared service centre operations.
• Strong understanding of the freight forwarding process from quotation through invoicing.
• Hands-on experience with CargoWise or a comparable freight forwarding platform.
• Demonstrated success delivering change and process improvements across operational teams.
• Strong analytical skills with experience reviewing volumes, throughput, service levels and performance metrics.
• Experience leading operational teams and driving execution in fast-moving environments.
• Ability to develop practical solutions and personally implement them.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills in both Dutch and English.
• Availability to start at short notice and commit full-time to an on-site assignment in Rotterdam.
• ZZP registered and based in the Netherlands.

What's on Offer

• Start date: ASAP
• Contract for 6 months
• Full time (40h per week)
• On site in Rotterdam 4 days per week