Team Lead Trade Analytics & Market Intelligence (f/m/d)

Overview

What if your work could drive change in a globally established industry, shaping processes that touch every corner of the world? At Forto, we are at the forefront of change, harnessing the power of AI to revolutionise logistics. We want to reinvent digital supply chains to be transparent, frictionless and sustainable. From day one, our mission has been to simplify global trade – creating a seamless and efficient logistics process.

This is a hybrid role. You will spend a significant portion of your time hands-on in the code—building complex data models, writing high-performance queries, and designing algorithms. You will also lead and develop a small, agile team consisting of a seasoned Analyst and a Market Intelligence Specialist.

Role

Team Lead for Trade Analytics & Market Intelligence acts as the Ted Lasso of our data analytics team. Reporting directly to the Director of Trade Management, you will own the architectural backbone of our trade management decision-making. You will be the bridge between raw data and high-level strategy, directly influencing how we handle Procurement, Pricing, and Forecasting.

This role is focused on mentoring and leading a team while contributing technically with data modeling, coding, and algorithm design.

Responsibilities

• Lead Technical Strategy & Analytics
• Own the Data Architecture: Architect and maintain the data pipelines and models that drive our GP reporting, demand forecasting, and yield management engines.
• Hands-On Development: personally write and optimize complex code (SQL, Python/R, C++) to solve our hardest analytical problems. You are the technical escalation point for the team.
• Forecasting & Modeling: Build robust predictive models to anticipate market demand and capacity constraints, allowing the Procurement team to buy smarter and the Pricing team to sell more effectively.
• Visualization: Design comprehensive dashboards (Looker/Tableau/PowerBI) that translate complex data sets into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.

Market Intelligence & Insight Generation

• Synthesize Data: Oversee the gathering of external market data (indices, competitor behavior, macro-trends) and merge it with our internal performance data.
• Strategic Guidance: Provide specific, data-backed recommendations to Trade Managers regarding trade lane strategy, carrier negotiations, and risk management.

People Management & Development

• Build the Team: Manage, mentor, and develop two direct reports (a Market Intelligence Specialist and an Analyst).
• Set the Standard: Establish best practices for coding, data hygiene, and reporting standards within the Trade team.

Resource Management: Prioritize the team’s backlog to ensure we are solving the most critical business problems first.

Required Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in advanced analytics, data science, or quantitative modeling, with at least 1-2 years experience mentoring or leading junior analysts.
• Technical Mastery:
• Expert-level proficiency in SQL (complex joins, window functions, query optimization).
• Strong programming skills in Python or R for statistical modeling.
• Working knowledge of C++ for high-performance data processing or system integration.
• Deep understanding of commercial levers (Pricing, Gross Profit, Yield, Procurement).
• A proven ability to explain technical concepts to business stakeholders and a passion for helping team members grow their skills.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience specifically within Freight Forwarding, Container Shipping, or Global Logistics.
• Experience with Yield Management or Revenue Management algorithms.
• Familiarity with financial hedging strategies or risk modeling.

Don’t fit all of our criteria? That’s okay! We know that you might be hesitant to apply if you don’t meet all our requirements, but here at Forto, we pride ourselves on embracing diverse perspectives and celebrating potential. If you are passionate about this position and the Forto values, please apply anyway. There could be a place for you in this role – or another one that’s a perfect fit!

Why work with us? Our team is hard-working, constantly seeking to maximise the impact of their work, but we put our people first, always winning with care. We value efficient systems and swift, direct communication. We want everyone to have their time to speak, so that we can embrace diverse perspectives to help drive towards solutions always.