Air Logistics Export Operational Care Supervisor

Kuehne+Nagel; Bensenville (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k plan

Tuition reimbursement

Incentive compensation

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel is seeking a Freight Logistics and Operations leader to supervise the Export Operational Care center and drive optimization across shipment processes. You will liaise on pricing, coordinate with airfreight teams, and push for KPI-driven improvements.

Ideal candidates bring multi‑year experience in air import/export, strong carrier relationships, and proven leadership. The role emphasizes collaboration with Sales and Customer Service in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years leadership/supervisory experience within Freight Forwarding.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Export Operational Care center team.
• Ensure operational excellence through high‑quality shipment/process management.
• Support the development of pricing strategies (liaise on pricing / RFQ preparation).
• Ensure close cooperation with National Airfreight Managers of the Customer Care teams and Systems & Processes teams for optimized operations.
• Actively manage interfaces and information / knowledge exchange between Kuehne+Nagel teams.
• Contribute as process owner to continuous improvements of processes and controls for lean and cost‑efficient processes.
• Optimize proceedings to ensure development of Airfreight operational KPIs and highest productivity within the organization.
• Support Airfreight procurement and carrier relationship management.
• Ensure a high level of quality of export/import services.
• Collaborate closely with Sales on strategic accounts as needed.
• Collaborate closely with Customer Service to gain specialized customer‑specific knowledge and to receive first‑hand feedback about operational execution.
• Support the development of new or existing customer targets.

Skills

Leadership

Air Logistics

Air Export Ops

Air Import

Freight Forwarding

Project Management

Carrier Relationships

MS Office

Kuehne+Nagel systems

Communication Skills

Detail Oriented

Strategic Collaboration

Tools

MS Office

Kuehne+Nagel systems

Job description

Overview

As a member of the Freight Forwarding team at Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimizing processes, and fulfilling our customers' promises. By transporting medicines, toys, and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods—you are making moments possible for people all around the world.

Operations

When you work in Freight Logistics and Operations at Kuehne+Nagel, you play a key role in optimizing processes and ensuring that inventory and shipments move efficiently. Your work also helps ensure that vital medicines reach patients on time and supports other essential deliveries, from wind turbines to semiconductors.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Export Operational Care center team.
• Ensure operational excellence through high‑quality shipment/process management.
• Support the development of pricing strategies (liaise on pricing / RFQ preparation).
• Ensure close cooperation with National Airfreight Managers of the Customer Care teams and Systems & Processes teams for optimized operations.
• Actively manage interfaces and information / knowledge exchange between Kuehne+Nagel teams.
• Contribute as process owner to continuous improvements of processes and controls for lean and cost‑efficient processes.
• Optimize proceedings to ensure development of Airfreight operational KPIs and highest productivity within the organization.
• Support Airfreight procurement and carrier relationship management.
• Ensure a high level of quality of export/import services.
• Collaborate closely with Sales on strategic accounts as needed.
• Collaborate closely with Customer Service to gain specialized customer‑specific knowledge and to receive first‑hand feedback about operational execution.
• Support the development of new or existing customer targets.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of leadership/supervisory experience within Freight Forwarding.
• 2+ years of experience in Air Logistics.
• 2+ years of experience in Air Export Operations.
• 5+ years of Air import experience.
• 2+ years of freight forwarding industry experience.
• Project management and international experience (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of freight forwarding, airfreight operations, and import/export regulations.
• Understanding of Kuehne+Nagel products, services, and processes.
• Good market knowledge and strong carrier relationship management capability.
• Proficiency in Kuehne+Nagel systems and Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated leadership with strong communication skills.
• High attention to detail and sound decision‑making ability.
• Commercially minded and performance driven.
• Strong planning, organizing, and time‑management skills.
• Flexible, able to work well under pressure, and open to change.
• Continuous improvement mindset with willingness to drive improvements.

Benefits

The hourly wage range for this position is between $80,000 and $90,000 annually. Base wage is part of a competitive total rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and incentive compensation for eligible roles. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, skills, job location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. Kuehne+Nagel reviews pay ranges regularly to ensure competitive and fair pay based on industry market data.

Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in specific process steps (e.g., screening applications, interview scheduling). These tools analyze information to support decision‑making, but final decisions are made by human reviewers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kuehne+Nagel is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful retaliation. Kuehne+Nagel strictly prohibits all discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religious creed or belief, physical or mental disability, marital or familial status, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sexual orientation, citizenship status, protected activity (such as opposition to or reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment). Kuehne+Nagel will also make reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and employees, including accommodations for pregnancy and childbirth, and for the sincerely held religious beliefs of applicants and employees depending upon individual circumstances unless such accommodation would create an undue hardship on Kuehne+Nagel.