Ocean Freight Pricing Specialist

DHL Global Forwarding; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 640,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding is seeking an Ocean Freight Pricing Specialist in Johannesburg to support commercial pricing strategies. You will assist with pricing execution, tender inputs, spot quotes, and market monitoring, collaborating with Sales and OCC to maximize margin and win rates.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and 2+ years in freight/logistics pricing, with fluency in English and the local language.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• More than 2 years in pricing or freight/logistics environment preferred.
• Fluent in English and local language.

Responsibilities

• Pricing Execution: Implement pricing strategies and develop pricing proposals for standard and spot requests.
• Tender Support: Prepare pricing inputs and coordinate with stakeholders for timely submissions.
• Spot Quotes: Respond to spot quote requests ensuring competitiveness and alignment with guidelines.
• Market Monitoring: Track carrier rate changes, capacity, and competitor pricing trends.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Work with Sales, Customer Service, and Service Delivery to support pricing.
• Cost Optimization: Negotiate favorable local terms on charges in collaboration with Trade Management and Procurement.
• Data Maintenance: Keep pricing data in systems up to date (rates, surcharges, DDS).
• Dispute Resolution: Support timely resolution of cost and sell disputes.
• Compliance: Ensure FMC compliance through NRA issuance and acceptance.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor win rates and margin performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Team Collaboration: Share knowledge and best practices with peers.

Skills

Excel

Database tools

Freight forwarding knowledge

Stakeholder management

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

Job description

Would you like to be part of the most international company in the world? A company operating in more than 220 countries worldwide and has been pioneering cross-border express shipping since 1969. Would you like to be part of a business that connects people across the globe and want to make a difference? Then waste no time and join our amazing team at DHL Group. DHL Global Forwarding, Freight (DGFF) is the Group's air, ocean, and road freight specialist. We offer standardized transport as well as highly specialized end-to-end solutions to customers in a wide range of industries globally.

Job Purpose:

To support the commercial organization—including Sales and Route Development Managers—by providing timely, competitive pricing and transit time information for end-to-end ocean freight solutions. You will also contribute to local, regional, and global tender processes in alignment with our pricing strategy and business growth objectives.

DHL Global Forwarding has an opening Ocean Freight Pricing Specialist, Johannesburg, South Africa. Join us in connecting people and improving lives!

In this Ocean Freight Pricing Specialist position

• Pricing Execution: Assist in implementing pricing strategies in alignment with corporate guidelines and trade lane objectives. Support the development of pricing proposals for standard and spot quote requests.
• Tender Support: Contribute to local tender pricing activities by preparing pricing inputs, ensuring data accuracy, and coordinating with relevant stakeholders for timely submissions. Support global tender responses as needed.
• Spot Quotes: Respond promptly to spot quote requests that require manual input, ensuring competitiveness and alignment with pricing guidelines.
• Market Monitoring: Track carrier rate changes, capacity developments, and competitor pricing trends. Share relevant insights with the commercial team to support pricing decisions.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, and Service Delivery teams to provide pricing support and help tailor solutions that enhance competitiveness and margin potential.
• Cost Optimization: Support negotiations of favorable local terms on all local charges, incl. but not limited to origin/destination handling, pickup and delivery fees, demurrage, detention and storage in collaboration with Trade Management, Procurement and ICC (if applicable)
• Data Maintenance: Maintain complete and accurate pricing data in systems (e.g., MTS, RMS, CW1 DDS/DDH), including rates, tariffs, surcharges, DDS free days/rates and transit time. Ensure timely updates and consistency across platforms.
• Dispute Resolution: Support service delivery in the timely resolution of cost and sell related disputes
• Compliance: Ensure FMC compliance through timely and accurate NRA issuance and acceptance
• Performance Tracking: Monitor pricing outcomes such as win rates and margin performance. Support analysis efforts to identify improvement opportunities and ensure compliance with pricing processes.
• Team Collaboration: Share knowledge and best practices with peers. Contribute to a collaborative and quality-focused pricing environment.

Stakeholders

• Trade Teams: Coordinate with Ocean Freight Trade for pricing strategies
• Sales Teams: Partner to develop pricing for client proposals
• Ocean Commercial Center (OCC): Share knowledge, insights, and best practices

Now, here is what we need from you!

• Proficiency in Excel and database tools
• Foundational understanding of freight forwarding and supply chain logistics
• Knowledge of local ocean carriers and transport providers
• Structured, detail-oriented, and service-minded approach to work
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Proactive and collaborative team mindset
• Ability to perform effectively in dynamic, fast-paced environment with occasional high‑pressure situations
• Individual contributor without direct responsibility for leading others
• Fluent in local relevant language as well as fluency in English
• Experience: More than 2 years
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience/qualification

We offer:

• Opportunities in a global company where you can contribute your ideas and skills to move towards our shared goals.
• Possible further career development
• Competitive salary

Why join DHL Global Forwarding?

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

Our TOP EMPLOYER prestigious certification attests to our best-in-class efforts to attract and retain talent by fostering a positive work environment and encouraging personal and professional development among employees. The development of talented women in our organization will be a focus for us and an important part of our DGF Strategy 2025.

We aspire to become the undisputed leader in our industry, when people think of forwarding; we want them to think DGF because we have:

• The largest global network with more than :30,000 passionate employees
• The most efficient processes and fastest response times
• The best solutions and best customer service

Our Vision: The Logistics Company for the World.

Our Mission: Excellence. Simply Delivered.

Our Purpose: Connecting People, improving lives.

Our Values: Respect & Results

Our Goals: Employer, Provider, and Investment of Choice, Living Responsibility

DHL Global Forwarding is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.