Head of Transformation, Air & Ocean Freight (APAC)

CEVA ASIA PACIFIC HOLDINGS COMPANY PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company in Singapore is seeking a Head of Transformation for the APAC region. The ideal candidate will have 7 to 10 years of experience in freight forwarding and logistics, with a strong background in air and ocean freight operations. Responsibilities include defining the transformation roadmap across various pillars, ensuring alignment with global strategies, and driving productivity and cost optimization initiatives. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management and demonstrate strong project management and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• 7 to 10 years in freight forwarding/logistics, with at least 5 years in air and ocean freight operations.
• Proven experience leading transformation and process improvement.
• Strong knowledge of air and ocean freight products and operations.

Responsibilities

• Define and structure the APAC Transformation roadmap across all pillars.
• Review APAC operating models to improve productivity.
• Work closely with IT, Data, and GBS to accelerate tool adoption.
• Support commercial teams on performance discipline and value creation.
• Establish and run transformation cadence and governance.
• Lead through expertise and foster a culture of accountability.

Skills

Process mapping

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Project management

Clear communication

Change agent mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Freight forwarding systems/TMS

Digital tools

Job description

YOUR ROLE

The Head of Transformation (APAC) is responsible for designing, driving, and executing the APAC Transformation agenda. With a clear mandate to optimize the organization, reduce costs, and accelerate business performance in coordination with all divisions, agencies, countries and support functions, and in strong alignment with the Global Transformation Office (GHO).

Transformation Pillars

1. Organization (Lean & accountability mindset)
2. Productivity & Cost-to-Serve (Cost, service & asset optimization)
3. Digital & AI Enablement (Integration, harmonization & performance)
4. Commercial (Performance, pricing, sales optimization)

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

1. Transformation Strategy & Prioritization

• Define and structure the APAC Transformation roadmap across the four pillars.
• Translate strategic ambitions into executable initiatives with accountability.
• Ensure alignment with CEVA’s global strategy and the Global Transformation Office.

2. Organization, Productivity & Cost-to-Serve

• Review APAC operating models & Org to reduce complexity & improve productivity.
• Identify and drive sustainable cost‑reduction levers across SG&A & DOE.
• Develop internal & external benchmarks to improve cost and service performance.
• Support APAC countries teams in the execution of efficiency plans.

3. Digital & AI Enablement

• Work closely with IT, Data, and GBS to accelerate tool adoption, process automation, and digitization.
• Identify & prioritize digital and AI use cases with tangible impact on cost, service quality, and performance.

4. Commercial Performance Acceleration

• Support commercial teams on performance discipline, value creation, & execution.
• Contribute to improvements in customer mix, profitability, & effectiveness.
• Define and track clear commercial KPIs aligned with transformation objectives.

5. Performance Management & Governance

• Establish and run transformation cadence (weekly, monthly, executive reviews).
• Define and track clear KPIs, milestones, and financial impacts for each initiative.
• Build & maintain exec dashboards providing visibility on progress, risks, & results.
• Proactively identify gaps & risks and define mitigation plans.

6. Leadership & Change Management

• Act as a trusted transformation partner to APAC leadership & countries.
• Foster a culture of execution discipline, accountability, and improvement.
• Lead through expertise, humility, and impact, ensuring engagement across all stakeholders.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 7 to 10 years in freight forwarding / logistics, with at least 5 years in air and ocean freight operations.
• Proven experience leading transformation, process improvement, or large‑scale operational projects in a regional or multi‑country environment.
• Deep knowledge of air and ocean freight products and operations (FCL/LCL, consolidation, express, charter, special cargo, Incoterms, customs, APAC trade lanes).
• Strong process mapping, optimization, and documentation skills.
• Solid understanding of freight forwarding systems/TMS, visibility platforms, and digital tools.
• Strong analytical skills and business case development.
• Strong project management capabilities; able to manage multiple complex initiatives concurrently.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across different cultures and levels.
• Clear and confident communicator and facilitator, with strong presentation skills.
• Change agent mindset, resilient, and results‑driven; comfortable working in a fast‑paced, multicultural environment.

Desirable:

• Master’s Degree, preferably in Business, Finance and/or Management.
• Strong understanding of financial metrics and statistics to generate KPIs and measure performance.
• Experience in leading virtual and cross‑country teams; coaching and mentoring skills to build local transformation capabilities.
• 12–15+ years of experience in logistics, shipping, freight forwarding, contract logistics, or transportation.
• Proven track record in program management, transformation governance, cost optimization, and performance improvement.
• Experience in matrix organizations and cross‑functional leadership.