Ocean Freight Business Manager

Noatum; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent Contract

Flexible Benefits

Birthday leave

Holidays and leave policy

Flexible work schedules

Professional Growth

International Environment

Corporate University

Job summary

Noatum Logistics in Chicago is seeking an Ocean Freight Business Manager to lead the ocean team and own revenue, gross profit, and P&L across import/export operations. You will steer end-to-end ocean freight activities within an NVOCC setting, driving strategy, execution, and regulatory compliance.

You will guide cross-functional teams, optimize pricing, and build strong relationships with carriers and customers while advancing growth in a dynamic, global logistics network.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in ocean freight forwarding, NVOCC, ocean carrier management, or international logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop a skilled Import/Export team.
• Proven experience owning or managing a P&L, business unit, branch, or trade lane.
• Experience working with customers and sales teams.
• Experience leading revenue, margins, and growth initiatives.
• Understanding of Ocean Freight Pricing and carrier contracts.
• Leadership and relationship-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage Ocean Product P&L, revenue growth, GP optimization, and cost management.
• Develop and execute ocean freight product strategies aligned to growth.
• Manage carrier procurement, contracts, and strategic partnerships.
• Analyze market trends and pricing to maximize profitability.
• Lead pricing activities: RFPs, RFQs, negotiations, and rate management.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Key Accounts to tailor solutions.
• Improve product performance via KPI analysis and business reviews.
• Drive new business growth while maintaining carrier relationships.
• Provide leadership on market conditions and trade lane opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with international trade, FMC, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

P&L management

Ocean freight

NVOCC

Pricing strategy

Carrier management

Customer management

Contract negotiations

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

CargoWise

CargoSphere

Power BI

Job description

As a global client-centered logistics operator, Noatum Logistics provides integrated value-added solutions for the supply chain of all our clients. With a vast network of offices in 27 different countries, Noatum Logistics has onsite experts to develop and execute logistics solutions tailored to meet our client’s needs.

Renowned for its excellent service and specialized staff, the company has positioned itself as an industry leader, offering solutions to meet the needs of clients across various sectors. Our services include Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Road & Rail Freight, Customs Brokerage, Warehousing & Distribution, and Value Supply Chain services. The solutions offered are Integrated Supply Chain Solutions, 3PL for eCommerce business (eSolutions), Reefer/Cold Chain Logistics, and Project Cargo.

Noatum Logistics responds to different industry needs with in-depth knowledge and experience in defined industries, including Fashion & Retail, Industrial & Construction, High Tech & Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Food & Consumer Goods, Mining, Energy and Oil & Gas, Defense & Aerospace, and Pharma & Healthcare.

About The Role

We are looking for an Ocean Freight Business Manager to lead the ocean team in Chicago branch. This position requires direct ownership of revenue, gross profit, and P&L performance within a freight forwarding, ocean product, trade lane, or branch environment. In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of ocean import and export operations within an NVOCC environment, responsible for the strategic direction, operational execution, and regulatory compliance of all ocean freight service (FCL, LCL, import/export). This role oversees the full life cycle of ocean shipments and leads cross-functional teams to deliver efficient, cost-effective, and customer-focused logistics solutions. The position serves as the subject matter expert in ocean freight operations, with accountability for driving performance, improving processes, and maintaining strong carrier and customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage the Ocean Product P&L, including revenue growth, gross profit optimization, cost management, and overall financial performance.
• Develop and execute ocean freight product strategies that align with company growth objectives.
• Manage carrier procurement, contract negotiations, allocation strategies, and strategic partnerships with ocean carriers.
• Analyze market trends, trade lane performance, and pricing dynamics to maximize profitability and competitive positioning.
• Lead customer and carrier pricing strategies, including RFPs, RFQs, contract negotiations, bid responses, and rate management.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Branch Leadership, and Key Account teams to develop customized solutions for customers.
• Monitor and improve product performance through KPI analysis, forecasting, margin management, and business reviews.
• Drive new business growth while maintaining strong relationships with existing customers and carriers.
• Provide leadership and guidance on ocean freight market conditions, trade lane developments, and product opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable international trade, customs, FMC, and regulatory requirements.

What We Are Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in ocean freight forwarding, NVOCC, ocean carrier management, or international logistics.
• Proven ability to mentor, train and develop successful team of skilled Import and Export Specialists.
• Demonstrated experience owning or directly managing a P&L, business unit, branch, product line, or trade lane.
• Previous experience working directly with customers and sales team.
• Experience managing revenue, margins, while successfully managing business growth initiatives.
• Proven success managing revenue, gross profit, margins, and business growth initiatives.
• Understanding of Ocean Freight Pricing
• Strong understanding of ocean carrier contracts, pricing structures, surcharges, service offerings, and procurement strategies.
• Experience leading customer pricing activities, including RFPs, RFQs, and contract negotiations.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance customer requirements and profitability objectives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing Transpacific, Transatlantic, and/or LATAM trade lanes.
• Background in ocean procurement, product management, carrier management, or branch management within a freight forwarding organization.
• CargoWise, CargoSphere, and Power BI experience.
• Experience developing and executing strategic growth plans for a freight forwarding business segment.
• Strong understanding of ocean carrier contracts, pricing structures, surcharges, service offerings, and procurement staregies

Physical Requirements

• Noatum is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Noatum will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.
• The job is performed indoors in a traditional office setting. Activities include extended periods of sitting while working at a computer and occasional fast-paced operations and events.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to communicate orally with customers, vendors, management, and co-workers. Regular use of the telephone, virtual meetings, and e-mail for communication. Hearing, vision, and speaking within normal ranges are essential for normal conversations, to receive ordinary information, and to prepare or inspect documents.
• Good manual dexterity for the use of common office equipment such as computers, calculators, and copiers.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, handle, use hands to grasp, or feel and operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone keypad.

What We Offer

• Permanent Contract – Enjoy stability and long-term career opportunities.
• Flexible Benefits Plan – Choose what suits you best: Health, Dental, Vision, 401K Plan with company match.
• Celebrate Your Birthday – Take a day off to make your special day even better.
• 11 paid Holidays and 5 floating holidays.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Professional Growth – Access continuous learning and development opportunities to boost your career.
• Collaborative & International Environment – Work with diverse teams and be part of a global network.
• Corporate University – Benefit from ongoing training programs designed to keep you ahead.

At Noatum Logistics, we guarantee equal opportunities and non-discrimination based on sex, gender, race, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation in our selection processes. Our goal is to maximize people’s talents in all their diversity while eliminating any form of discrimination.

JOB#4767 #Noatum Logistics