Global Ocean Freight Strategy Director

ryan owen associates (roa); Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

ryan owen associates (roa) in Singapore is seeking a Senior Ocean Freight Leader to own international freight strategy, procurement, and cost optimisation across a complex supply chain. You will lead carrier negotiations, tenders and contract management at a senior level.

You will also build and manage a Singapore-based team, collaborate with Supply Chain, Planning and Finance, and drive improved service levels, capacity planning and performance metrics in a fast-moving consumer environment.

Qualifications

• Around 10+ years of experience across ocean freight, freight forwarding, international logistics or transportation procurement.
• Strong hands-on experience in ocean freight tenders, carrier negotiations and contract management.
• Good knowledge of container freight markets, carrier allocation and capacity management.

Responsibilities

• Lead ocean freight sourcing activities, including RFQs, tenders, rate negotiations and contract renewals.
• Manage commercial relationships with ocean carriers and freight-forwarding partners.
• Develop carrier selection and volume-allocation strategies across key international trade lanes.
• Monitor freight rates, capacity and market conditions to support commercial decision-making.
• Balance cost, service reliability, capacity availability and supply-chain risk.
• Manage carrier and logistics-provider performance through KPIs, scorecards and regular business reviews.
• Track service levels, schedule reliability, capacity utilisation and operational performance.
• Lead escalation and service-recovery discussions with external partners when required.
• Identify potential disruptions and develop appropriate contingency plans.
• Manage ocean freight budgets, forecasts and cost-performance analysis.
• Monitor freight spend and explain key variances and market developments to senior stakeholders.
• Develop reporting and performance metrics across cost, capacity and service.
• Use data to identify potential issues early and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead and develop a Singapore-based ocean freight team.
• Remain close to day-to-day operations while providing strategic direction.
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Planning, Finance and other international stakeholders.
• Improve processes, reporting and freight-management tools.
• Support digitalisation and automation initiatives across the logistics function.

Skills

Ocean freight management

Carrier negotiations

Contract management

Freight budgeting

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Data analytics

Strategic planning

Job description

ryan owen associates (roa) in Singapore is seeking a Senior Ocean Freight Leader to own international freight strategy, procurement, and cost optimisation across a complex supply chain. You will lead carrier negotiations, tenders and contract management at a senior level.

You will also build and manage a Singapore-based team, collaborate with Supply Chain, Planning and Finance, and drive improved service levels, capacity planning and performance metrics in a fast-moving consumer environment.