Operations Manager – Air & Sea Freight

On behalf of one of its clients in the logistics sector, the French Chamber of Commerce is recruiting an Operations Manager – Air & Sea Freight.

Our client, an international freight forwarding company, is establishing its Singapore operations and is seeking a hands-on Operations Manager to oversee and manage daily freight forwarding activities.

This role is strongly operational in nature, with a clear focus on air freight operations and the execution of cargo flows between Batam and Singapore (air and sea). The position is not focused on strategic business development but on operational efficiency, service delivery, and cost control in a lean setup.

Key Responsibilities

-Oversee and manage day-to-day freight forwarding operations, with a strong emphasis on air freight and supporting sea freight activities.

-Coordinate and optimize cargo movements between Batam and Singapore, ensuring smooth execution, timelines, and compliance.

-Set up and manage operational processes, workflows, and SOPs for the Singapore operations.

-Supervise and support a small operations team (2–3 staff initially), with a hands-on management approach.

-Monitor operational costs, margins, and performance indicators, contributing to P&L control from an operational standpoint.

-Ensure compliance with local regulations, customs requirements, and internal procedures.

-Liaise closely with airlines, shipping lines, agents, and service providers to secure reliable operational solutions.

-Work in close coordination with regional teams, particularly in China, to ensure seamless cross-border execution.

-Act as the key operational point of contact for customers, ensuring service quality and issue resolution.

Requirements

-Proven experience in freight forwarding operations, with strong expertise in air freight.

-Solid understanding of Batam–Singapore cargo flows (air and sea).

-Experience in managing operations in a lean or start-up environment.

-Strong hands-on mindset with the ability to manage daily execution as well as team supervision.

-Experience with CargoWise is a strong advantage.

-Fluency in Chinese is a strong plus to liaise with regional teams and partners.