Manager – Airfreight Procurement, SEAO

KLN LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT (ASIA) PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

KLN Logistics Management (Asia) PTE. LTD. is seeking an experienced Senior Airfreight Procurement lead to drive regional carrier sourcing and strategic procurement across South and Southeast Asia and Oceania.

You will manage RFQs, negotiate rates and contracts, and align procurement with business objectives while ensuring governance and cost efficiency. The role requires a deep understanding of airfreight markets, strong negotiation and analytics skills, and willingness to travel regionally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Aviation or related field.
• 10+ years of airfreight procurement or aviation commercial experience.
• Proven airline negotiations, carrier sourcing and RFQ management.
• Strong understanding of airfreight market dynamics and pricing.
• Track record in cost optimisation and supplier management.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with procurement reporting tools and dashboards.
• Willingness to travel regionally as required.
• Fluent in English; additional regional languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop regional airfreight procurement strategies across SE Asia and Oceania.
• Build and maintain relationships with airlines, GSAs and carrier partners.
• Lead RFQs, negotiations and annual rate reviews.
• Secure competitive rates, space commitments and capacity allocations.
• Negotiate long-term agreements such as BSA and CPA.
• Monitor market developments, pricing, and airline networks.
• Analyse capacity supply and demand to refine procurement tactics.
• Develop contingency plans for peak seasons and disruptions.
• Ensure compliance with procurement governance and performance targets.
• Collaborate with country teams on budgeting and global procurement initiatives.

Skills

Airfreight procurement

Carrier negotiations

RFQ management

Contract management

Pricing strategy

Analytics

Stakeholder management

Regional travel readiness

Data analysis tools

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics or related field

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement regional airfreight procurement strategies aligned with business objectives across South and Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO).

• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key airlines, General Sales Agents (GSAs) and other carrier partners.

• Lead regional carrier procurement exercises, RFQs, contract negotiations and annual rate reviews.

• Secure competitive rates, space commitments and strategic capacity allocations across key trade lanes.

• Negotiate long-term agreements, Block Space Agreements (BSA), Capacity Purchase Agreements (CPA), 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, yield, margins, carrier utilisation and market competitiveness.

• Establish procurement governance standards and consistent procurement 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 follow up on performance improvement actions.

• Support major customer tenders and commercial opportunities by securing competitive and reliable carrier solutions.

• Collaborate with country airfreight teams, overseas offices, gateway operations, Finance and Management on procurement planning, budgeting and regional or global initiatives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Aviation Management or a related discipline.

• Minimum 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 procurement cost optimisation, supplier management and securing competitive rates and capacity.

• Strong commercial acumen and strategic mindset, with advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Proficiency in data analysis, procurement reporting tools and performance-dashboard preparation.

• Excellent negotiation, influencing, communication and presentation skills.

• Strong stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to collaborate across countries, functions and seniority levels.

• Results-oriented, self-driven and able to manage competing priorities under pressure, with willingness to travel regionally as required.