Senior Manager Solution Design – Semicon & Data Centre Logistics

Senior Manager Product Solution Design (Global Airfreight) – Semicon & Data Centre Logistics
Job Grade: H
Function: Global Airfreight Product Management / Sector Solutions
Location: Global / Regional hub (with frequent travel as required)
Reporting Line
Reports to: Head of Global Airfreight Solutions Design / Global Sector Product Lead
Matrix: Global Airfreight Operations, Trade Lane Management, Procurement/Carrier, Commercial & Key Account Management, Finance/Controlling
Role Purpose
Design, industrialize, cost and price airfreight‑led sector solutions for Semiconductors and Data Centre Logistics, translating customer requirements into standardized, sellable, risk‑controlled and margin‑accretive products.
The role owns solution architecture and pricing logic end‑to‑end, ensuring solutions are operationally executable across trade lanes and origin/destination nodes while delivering competitive value propositions, protected margins, and scalable commercial growth with strategic global accounts.
Key Accountabilities
1. Sector Solution Architecture & Productization
Lead end‑to‑end solution architecture and commercial design for Semicon & DCL airfreight offerings.
Convert bespoke customer requirements into modular solution components (service tiers, add‑ons, SOPs, handling specs, contingencies, pricing levers).
Build repeatable solution playbooks covering lane design, cut‑off strategies, capacity models, exception handling and cost drivers.
2. Pricing, Costing & Commercial Ownership (Expanded)
Own solution costing models including operational costs, capacity premiums, security measures, investments, overheads, and risk buffers.
Define and maintain pricing structures (rate cards, lane‑based pricing, priority tiers, surcharges, minimums, indexation mechanisms).
Ensure pricing meets gross profit, yield, and risk‑return targets while remaining market‑competitive.
Partner with Finance/Controlling to validate cost assumptions, profitability, ROI and long‑term margin sustainability.
Clearly articulate pricing logic, assumptions, and value drivers in RFQs, customer discussions, and governance forums.
3. Operational Feasibility & Industrialization
Validate operational feasibility with gateways, stations, carriers, and partners; ensure cost assumptions reflect real execution complexity.
Define standard work, SOPs, training, and readiness checklists to enable repeatable execution at the priced cost level.
Ensure solutions achieve required service, safety, and regulatory standards for high‑value and sensitive cargo.
4. Customer Value Proposition & Commercial Enablement
Partner with Sales and Global Account teams to build value‑based solution narratives linked directly to pricing differentiation.
Support RFQs with executive‑ready solution and pricing proposals, including assumptions, constraints, and commercial T&Cs.
Develop sector go‑to‑market kits: solution one‑pagers, pricing logic explanations, lane economics, and operational proof points.
5. Quality, Performance & Margin Protection
Own solution KPIs across service quality and commercial performance.
Monitor solution profitability vs. design assumptions; trigger corrective actions where cost‑to‑serve deviates.
Lead root‑cause analysis on service or margin erosion and implement design, routing, pricing, or partner changes.
6. Risk, Resilience & Security‑by‑Design
Embed resilience through alternate routings, capacity buffers, and emergency playbooks with explicit cost and pricing implications defined.
Define security standards and ensure cost recovery through pricing for high‑value movements.
Ensure compliance with trade regulations, export controls, and customer‑specific requirements.
7. Stakeholder & Partner Management
Align with Procurement and Carrier Management on capacity strategy, premium costs, and performance vs. pricing commitments.
Act as sector solution & pricing SME in global governance, RFQ boards, and customer reviews.
Collaborate with IT/Visibility teams to ensure solutions support exception management at the assumed cost‑to‑serve.
Skills & Competencies (Knowledge and skills required)
Strong expertise in Global Airfreight product and solution design, including lane engineering, capacity concepts, and end‑to‑end service architecture
Proven sector knowledge in Semiconductors and Data Centre Logistics, including high‑value, fragile, ESD‑sensitive, temperature‑controlled, time‑critical, and mission‑critical cargo
Demonstrated ability to translate complex customer requirements into standardized, scalable, and industrialized solutions aligned to Global Forwarding operating models
Advanced capability in solution costing, pricing logic, yield management, and gross profit protection across global trade lanes
Deep understanding of airfreight cost drivers, carrier agreements, premium capacity, accessorials, and cost‑to‑serve dynamics
Strong experience validating operational feasibility with stations, gateways, carriers, and partners, ensuring pricing reflects true execution complexity
Ability to design solutions with risk, security, resilience, and compliance embedded by design, including contingency and recovery models
Solid working knowledge of trade compliance, export control, security programs, and customer‑specific regulatory requirements for high‑tech cargo
Proven track record supporting complex RFQs, tenders, and strategic global accounts with executive‑ready solution and pricing proposals
Strong analytical skills with the ability to build and interpret lane economics, business cases, profitability models, and KPI dashboards
Ability to balance customer value propositions with internal margin, risk thresholds, and governance requirements
Strong matrix leadership and influencing skills across Sales, Operations, Procurement, Finance, IT, and Trade Lane Management
High level of commercial judgment and decision‑making in a fast‑paced, global, and high‑ambiguity environment
Executive‑level communication skills with credibility toward senior customers and DHL leadership
Change‑oriented mindset, driving standardization, productization, and scalable growth across regions
Willingness to travel globally and operate effectively across regions and cultures
University degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or relevant experience