Air Freight Perishables Operation Director

DHL Global Forwarding; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary + incentives

401(k) Match

Stock Purchase Plan

Medical insurance

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Paid Time Off

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding is seeking an Air Freight Perishables Operation Director at ORD, Chicago, to oversee end-to-end perishables airfreight operations, drive profitability, and optimize service delivery. This senior role requires deep airfreight expertise and hands-on leadership to align with regional strategies and customer requirements.

The role collaborates with DHL Air Freight networks, manages key stakeholder expectations, and drives continuous improvements while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• 10+ years in freight forwarding airfreight operations (handling, docs, clearance)
• 5+ years of leadership/management experience
• Experience using CargoWise software preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management abilities
• People management and development skills

Responsibilities

• Drive airfreight perishables operation and profitability at station level
• Monitor KPIs and collaborate with DHL teams to optimize service
• Act as point of contact for OPS and service quality issues
• Support training and ensure compliance with global procedures and policies
• Develop airline relationships and negotiate local rates
• Contribute to country airfreight strategy and growth initiatives

Skills

Airfreight operations

Leadership/management

CargoWise

MS Excel

Project management

Analytical skills

People management

Tools

CargoWise

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Air Freight Perishables Operation Director

Job Location: Chicago, Illinois

DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) manages the flow of goods and information across a customer's global supply chain utilizing air/ocean/ground transportation, customs brokerage services, and dedicated warehousing/distribution centers. We are part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world's leading logistics provider with operations in over 220 countries. Visit our career site on the web at https://www.logistics.dhl/us-en/home/careers.html

The Air Freight Perishables Operation Director, ORD supports the execution of the air freight strategy, provides airfreight expertise and monitors and develops all air freight perishables operation related activities performed at station level to effectively manage the end-to-end airfreight process. This role also ensures optimization of air freight perishables operations in line with customer requirements to deliver a cost/effective execution.

Key Activities

• Ensure and develop customer satisfaction
• Ensure and develop employee engagement
• Manage and improve air freight perishables operation and profitability
• Manage and improve KPIs together with the internal and external DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) teams
• Work closely together with DGF Air Freight network colleagues
• Point of contact for OPS and Service Quality related issues (e.g. customer complaints / escalations, exception management, shipment irregularities, service recovery, etc.)
• Supports local process enhancements and ensures compliance of global improvement initiatives and standard procedures.
• Contributes to country air freight product agenda and projects/initiatives.
• Supports execution of Gross Profit Improvement Program in country.
• Communicate implications of regional and country airfreight policies/guidelines and support training with stations and gateways
• Support customer and business development and tactical opportunity conversion by providing operational expertise and ensuring operational customer requirements are met
• Support development and drive implementation of new solutions/services incl. sector specific solutions
• Supports Spot Quote Pricing strategy
• Support and drive compliance to KPIs, with special focus on timely response to requests
• Supports and drives adherence to usage of tools and sources as defined by Pricing group
• Drive cargo optimization in air/cartage vendors
• Develop and maintain airline relationships and local rate negotiation
• Contribute to ensure achievement of business growth, revenue & profitability.
• Ensure compliance of stations & gateways with customer SOPs and global and regional airfreight policies and guidelines.
• Ability to influence decisions/actions by providing value-added feedback into the organization/function and country management.

Required Skills/Knowledge

• 10+ years professional experience in freight forwarding airfreight operations (i.e. handling, documentation, clearance) required
• 5+ years of leadership/management experience required
• Experience using CargoWise software preferred
• Computer skills (i.e. Microsoft Office tools, intermediate level in Excel)
• Highly organized, project management tools and expertise
• Analytical skills, detailed oriented
• People management and development skills

Pay Range: $130,011.75 - $173,349.00+ (Based on Experience)

Benefits (All Non-Union Employees)

• Compensation: Competitive base salary plus role dependent performance-based incentives.
• 401(k) Match: $1-for-$1 match up to 4% quarterly + 2% annual base contribution.
• Stock Purchase Plan: Ability to purchase Deutsche Post AG shares at a discounted rate.
• Medical: Comprehensive plans covering preventive care, inpatient/outpatient services, and prescriptions.
• Vision: Optional coverage for exams, frames, and contacts.
• Dental: Optional coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
• Paid Time Off: 7 major holidays, 8 floating holidays, and accrued vacation/sick days.

Why Join DHL Global Forwarding?

At DHL Global Forwarding, we invest in our employees' growth, providing training, guidance, and career advancement opportunities. We believe in building careers, not just jobs, and empowering our team to develop skills and achieve long-term success.

Be part of DHL Group, the world's leading logistics provider, operating in 220+ countries. DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is a global leader in air and ocean freight, with 30,000+ employees ensuring seamless transport and supply chain solutions. Explore careers with us: DHL Careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DHL Global Forwarding is committed to equal employment opportunities, evaluating all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

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