Manager - Airfreight Procurement, SEAO

kln logistics group; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

kln logistics group is seeking an experienced airfreight procurement professional to lead regional sourcing across SE Asia, South Asia, and Oceania, shaping carrier partnerships and capacity strategies to strengthen service reliability and profitability.

The role requires a track record of negotiating long-term contracts, managing RFQs, and delivering cost improvements, with travel willingness and cross-border collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Aviation Management or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in airfreight procurement, airline management, or aviation commercial functions.
• Proven experience in airline negotiations, carrier sourcing, RFQs and contract management.
• Strong understanding of air cargo market dynamics, pricing, capacity management and networks.
• Track record in optimising procurement costs and securing competitive rates and capacity.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking with analytical problem-solving.
• Proficiency in data analysis, procurement reporting and dashboards.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong stakeholder-management, cross-country collaboration.
• Results-oriented, self-driven with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Willingness to travel regionally when required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement regional airfreight procurement strategies for SEAO.
• Build and maintain relationships with airlines, GSAs and carrier partners.
• Lead carrier-sourcing exercises, RFQs, contract negotiations and rate reviews.
• Secure competitive rates and capacity across key trade lanes.
• Negotiate long-term contracts, BSAs, CPAs and ad hoc rates.
• Monitor market developments, pricing movements and networks.
• Analyse capacity supply and demand across trade lanes and advise strategies.
• Develop contingency procurement and capacity plans for peak seasons.
• Ensure contractual compliance and monitor performance against rates and service levels.
• Drive procurement initiatives to improve cost efficiency and margins.
• Establish regional procurement governance standards and best practices.
• Develop carrier scorecards to monitor savings and performance.
• Conduct regular business reviews with strategic airline partners.
• Support major tenders by securing viable carrier solutions.
• Collaborate with country teams, offices, gateway ops, Finance and Management on planning and budgeting.

Skills

Airfreight procurement

Carrier sourcing

RFQs

Contract negotiations

Data analysis

Procurement reporting

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Aviation Management or related discipline

Job description

We are seeking an experienced airfreight procurement professional to lead regional carrier sourcing and capacity strategies across South and Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO).

The successful candidate will develop strategic airline partnerships, secure competitive rates and capacity, and drive procurement initiatives that strengthen service reliability, profitability and market competitiveness across the region.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement regional airfreight procurement strategies aligned with business objectives across SEAO.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key airlines, General Sales Agents (GSAs) and other carrier partners.
• Lead regional carrier-sourcing exercises, RFQs, contract negotiations and annual rate reviews.
• Secure competitive rates, space commitments and strategic capacity allocations across key trade lanes.
• Negotiate long-term contracts, Block Space Agreements (BSAs), Capacity Purchase Agreements (CPAs), ad hoc rates and tactical procurement arrangements.
• Monitor airfreight market developments, capacity trends, pricing movements and changes in airline networks.
• Analyse capacity supply and demand across major trade lanes and recommend appropriate procurement strategies.
• Develop contingency procurement and capacity plans for peak seasons, market disruptions and urgent business requirements.
• Ensure contractual compliance and monitor airline performance against agreed rates, capacity, service levels and commitments.
• Drive procurement initiatives that improve cost efficiency, margins, carrier utilisation and market competitiveness.
• Establish regional procurement governance standards and promote consistent practices across countries and business units.
• Develop carrier scorecards and KPIs to monitor procurement savings, service quality, capacity utilisation and overall carrier performance.
• Conduct regular business reviews with strategic airline partners and oversee performance-improvement actions.
• Support major customer tenders and commercial opportunities by securing competitive, reliable and commercially viable carrier solutions.
• Collaborate with country airfreight teams, overseas offices, gateway operations, Finance and Management on procurement planning, budgeting, and regional and global initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Aviation Management or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in airfreight procurement, airline management, freight forwarding or aviation commercial functions.
• Demonstrated experience in airline negotiations, carrier sourcing, RFQs and contract management.
• Strong understanding of air cargo market dynamics, pricing structures, capacity management, trade lanes and airline networks.
• Proven track record in optimising procurement costs, managing carrier relationships, and securing competitive rates and capacity.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking, supported by advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis, procurement reporting and the preparation of performance dashboards.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across countries, functions and seniority levels.
• Results-oriented, self-driven and capable of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel regionally when required.