Head of Freight Forwarding

MXHL PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

uParcel is expanding its logistics services in Singapore by launching a dedicated Freight Forwarding department. The Head of Freight Forwarding will design the operating model, set up processes and a partner network, run day-to-day freight operations, and drive the commercial side by winning clients and cross-selling services.

The role reports to the COO, owns P&L, and leads a growing team. Strong leadership and a track record in freight forwarding are essential for success in this founder-level

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in freight forwarding operations.
• Experience running a branch/department with full P&L ownership.
• Direct client development and relationship management.
• Knowledge of Incoterms, customs procedures, TradeNet and air/sea/road docs.
• Hands-on with freight management systems (CargoWise One, Magaya, Descartes).

Responsibilities

• Design and set up the new freight forwarding department, including org structure, SOPs, systems and partner network.
• Run end-to-end freight forwarding operations: bookings, docs, clearance, tracking and delivery across air/sea/land.
• Build the client book, win new freight forwarding clients, and cross-sell within the uParcel network.
• Own the department P&L: budgeting, pricing, margins and cost control.
• Hire, train and lead the freight forwarding team; establish KPIs and service culture.
• Ensure compliance with Singapore customs, TradeNet, and international regulations.

Skills

Freight forwarding

P&L ownership

Sales & BD

Leadership

Incoterms expertise

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Education

Degree in Logistics / Supply Chain

Tools

CargoWise One

Magaya

Descartes

Job description

uParcel (MXHLPte Ltd) is a Singapore-based e-commerce fulfilment and last-mile delivery 3PL,operating out of Defu Industrial City and serving marketplace sellers onShopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop. We combine in-house warehousing with our own-fleet, same-day delivery network to give sellers an integrated, end-to-end logistics solution. We are now extending that model upstream into freight forwarding, so that our clients can move goods from origin to their door step entirely within the uParcel network.

We are hiring a Head of Freight Forwarding to build and lead this new department from the ground up. This is a founder-level operating role: you will design the operating model, stand up the processes and partner network, run day-to-day freight operations, and personally drive the commercial side – winning new clients and cross-selling freight services into uParcel's existing fulfilment and last-mile customer base. You will own the P&L for the department and report directly to the COO.

1. Set Up the Department

• Design uParcel's freight forwarding operatingmodel end-to-end – org structure, SOPs, systems and workflows – as this is anew department with no existing infrastructure to inherit.
• Define the initial service scope (air, seaand/or road freight; FCL/LCL; customs brokerage) based on client demand anduParcel's existing network.
• Select and implement freight managementsystems (e.g. CargoWise One, Magaya, Descartes) and integrate with Singapore'sTradeNet customs platform.
• Establish the carrier, NVOCC, customs brokerand overseas agent network needed to operate from day one.

2. Run Freight ForwardingOperations

• Own end-to-end operations: bookings, shippingdocumentation, customs clearance, cargo tracking and delivery of shipments byair, sea and land.
• Ensure shipments move in a timely,cost-effective and fully compliant manner in line with international traderegulations.
• Coordinate with uParcel's warehousing andlast-mile teams to offer clients a single, integrated door-to-door solution.
• Monitor and continuously improve on-timeperformance, cost control and service quality.

3. Build the Client Book &Drive Business Development

• Build the freight forwarding client list fromscratch – this is a hands-on sales and relationship-building mandate, not aback-office role.
• Proactively identify, pitch and close newfreight forwarding clients across target verticals.
• Introduce freight forwarding services touParcel's existing fulfilment and last-mile customer base, and cross-sellacross the wider uParcel network.
• Represent uParcel at trade fairs, industryevents and client meetings to establish uParcel's freight forwarding brand inthe market.
• Negotiate rates and contract terms withclients, carriers and partners.

4. Own the P&L

• Take full P&L accountability for thefreight forwarding department – budgeting, pricing strategy, margin managementand cost control.
• Set the quotation framework and pricingguidelines for the team.
• Report department performance – revenue,margin, volume and client acquisition – to the COO and leadership team.

5. Build and Lead the Team

• Hire, train and manage the freight forwardingteam as the department scales beyond its founding headcount.
• Set KPIs, coach team members, and build aservice-oriented, compliance-first team culture.

6. Compliance & RiskManagement

• Ensure full compliance with Singapore customsregulations, TradeNet requirements, and applicable international trade law(Incoterms, FIATA/IATA standards).
• Oversee accuracy and integrity of shippingdocumentation, and manage cargo insurance and liability risk.

WHATWE'RE LOOKING FOR

• At least 8–10 years in freight forwardingoperations, including prior experience running a branch, department or businessunit with full P&L ownership – not only executing shipments within someoneelse's structure.
• A track record of winning and managing freightforwarding clients directly – candidates who already carry a portable networkof client and carrier relationships will be strongly preferred.
• Deep working knowledge of Incoterms, customsprocedures, TradeNet, and air/sea/road freight documentation.
• Hands-on experience with freight managementsystems (CargoWise One, Magaya, Descartes or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to build something fromzero – comfortable operating without an established department, playbook orsupport team behind them.
• Strong leadership, negotiation and stakeholdermanagement skills, and the commercial instinct to sell as well as operate.
• Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business ora related field; a FIATA Diploma or equivalent industry certification is anadvantage.

KEYPERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• New client acquisition and freight forwardingrevenue growth
• Gross margin / department P&L performanceagainst budget
• On-time shipment and customs clearance rate
• Client retention and satisfaction
• Compliance record (documentation accuracy,customs, regulatory)