Manager - Freight

Job Summary

To lead, optimize, and scale the domestic and cross-border road freight operations for our unified logistics network. The role executes a three‑pronged mandate: to direct and grow the freight business, to manage day‑to‑day operations across the UAE and broader GCC, and to support in developing reliable, cost‑effective transportation products and services. It carries full responsibility for maximizing fleet utilization across the company's fleet, managing Full Truckload (FTL) and Less‑Than‑Truckload (LTL) line‑hauls, ensuring strict temperature compliance for cold‑chain goods, and reducing the total cost of regional transit.

• Line‑Haul – GCC Fleet Management

  Plan, schedule, and optimize daily domestic and cross‑border FTL/LTL freight movements across UAE and GCC. Maximize the utilization of a combined fleet of heavy trucks and multi‑temperature trailers, minimizing empty miles and transit bottlenecks. Manage all leased and owned trucks to ensure unhindered operations within the freight department. Manage high‑volume time‑critical distributions ranging from bulk B2B freight to micro‑fulfillment transfers for fast‑moving consumer goods (FMCG) and premium meal plans.

• Documentation & Customs Clearance – Bonded Transport

  Oversee end‑to‑end customs clearance and documentation for inbound and outbound freight, including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, delivery orders, ensuring submissions are accurate and lodged on time to prevent demurrage and border delays. Manage bonded truck movements out of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), ensuring goods move under customs control with valid customs declarations, intact seals and correct bonded‑transit documentation until cleared at the destination customs point.
  
  Coordinate customs brokerage activity in‑house or via appointed brokers, including HS code classification and liaison with UAE Customs and JAFZA authorities. Be accountable for the accuracy and completeness of all bonded and cleared consignment records, ensuring the company can withstand customs audits and is protected against duty penalties and compliance exposure. Audit and streamline cross‑border customs documentation to prevent border delays.

• Vendor Procurement & Cost Control

  Negotiate freight rates, secure lane capacities, and manage relationships with third‑party logistics (3PL) providers and sub‑contractors during peak demand. Partner with the fleet team to translate asset‑performance trends into corrective operational action, escalating systemic issues, recurring downtime, under‑performing lanes rather than owning vehicle‑level maintenance metrics.

• Data Analytics & Tech Integration

  Leverage automated transport management systems (TMS), advanced Excel, and Power BI dashboards to track operational KPIs and deliver performance visibility to executive leadership. Utilize automated routing algorithms to bypass local traffic congestion and optimize terminal turn‑around times.

• People & Capacity Management

  Ensure the department is staffed with the requisite number and caliber of staff and drivers, appraise, develop, motivate and encourage the team to maximize productivity and contribution. Establish strong housekeeping and record‑keeping practices and train staff periodically to ensure compliance with legal, customs, customer and company requirements at all times. Lead and develop the driver workforce, overseeing rostering, conduct and periodic training on road safety, defensive driving, hours‑of‑service compliance and cargo seal handling to sustain service reliability and the department's ZERO‑claims ZERO‑accidents standard.

• 5–8 years of proven experience in road freight management, line‑haul operations, or transport logistics within the GCC region, with at least 3 years in a managerial role.
• In‑depth understanding of UAE road networks, major industrial clusters (JAFZA, DIC, Al Quoz), border checkpoints (Batha, etc.) and GCC transport regulations.
• Highly proficient with telematics, GPS tracking portals, transport management systems (TMS), advanced Excel and Power BI.
• Exceptional driver management skills, vendor negotiation capability, and a track record of handling high‑stress operational issues like breakdowns or border delays calmly and efficiently.