Job Description

Senior Procurement Officer – Ocean Freight

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Senior Procurement Officer with deep expertise in ocean freight operations to join the procurement team of a global retailer. This role is critical to ensuring reliable and cost-effective carrier capacity across our global network.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing carrier relationships, leading ocean freight tenders, forecasting volume requirements, and driving performance improvements across multiple service providers including direct carriers, NVOCCs, 3PLs, and 4PLs. This individual must have a proven track record in high-volume procurement environments and possess a data-driven mindset to support strategic sourcing decisions.

This position plays a key role in securing carrier space and optimizing procurement strategies to meet business needs while maintaining service excellence.

Responsibilities: 

• Lead the annual ocean freight tender process, including RFP development, carrier evaluation, negotiations, and contract finalization.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, 3PLs/4PLs, and other logistics partners.
• Forecast and manage container volume commitments across trade lanes to ensure optimal carrier capacity utilization.
• Monitor and analyze carrier performance (on-time delivery, transit times, equipment availability, claims handling, etc.) and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (operations, planning, finance) to align procurement strategy with business demand.
• Use data analytics to evaluate cost structures, identify savings opportunities, and optimize carrier mix.
• Ensure compliance with contractual SLAs and drive resolution of service-related issues.
• Stay updated on market dynamics, freight rate trends, regulatory changes, and industry best practices.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in procurement or logistics within the ocean freight industry, preferably with exposure to global supply chains.
• Proven experience working in large-volume procurement environments, ideally from a sizeable corporation or logistics provider (3PL/4PL).
• Strong understanding of ocean freight operations, including FCL/LCL, transshipment, drayage, and customs coordination.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial tender processes, including bid analysis, carrier scoring, and negotiation tactics.
• Demonstrated ability to work with data sets, perform forecasting, and use analytics to drive procurement decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate and influence at all levels.
• Experienced in managing multi-carrier contracts and performance metrics.

Profile we are seeking: 

• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Highly analytical with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Cross-functional team player with excellent stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Suitable applicants should apply now for further details. We regret to inform that only suitable applicants will be invited to interview.