Manager Global Ocean Freight Operations

Overview

DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is the world leader in air freight services and a leading provider of ocean freight services. Around 30,000 employees work to transport shipments by air or sea. DGF’s logistics solutions span the entire supply chain, from the factory to the shop floor, including special transport-related services. As the experts in freight forwarding, we deliver 100% assurance to our customers through a mindset that looks ahead to the next opportunity, the next potential issue, and the next global trend. At DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, we’re not simply about freight forwarding; we’re about forward-thinking ways to connect people and improve their lives.

Job purpose

As Manager Global Ocean Freight Operations , you are globally responsible for a defined process domain within Ocean Freight operations and lead global process governance and digital enablement to deliver measurable impact on EBIT, operational excellence and customer experience worldwide.

You own the Global Operating Model and champion standardization, data stewardship, automation and compliance-by-design across all workflows within your assigned domain. In addition, you spearhead initiatives that leverage process mining, advanced analytics and technology enhancements to support DHL Global Forwarding’s vision of being the undisputed leader in logistics.

Principal accountabilities

You will take on assigned responsibilities within the team and deliver key initiatives in coordination with your manager, ensuring alignment with global objectives and standards: This role will initially focus on Milestones, Vendor Integration and Process Intelligence.

• You are accountable for establishing transparency across the current ("as‑is") operational, vendor, milestone, and data landscape, including how carrier schedules and vendor‑provided events are translated into milestones that accurately reflect shipment status across the end‑to‑end journey.
• You identify gaps versus global standards and target processes and drive sustainable gap closure through vendor governance and operational data quality.
• You own the end‑to‑end milestone landscape — from carrier schedules to automated and predictive milestones — across external vendors and smart engines, ensuring reliability and fitness for operational, customer, and performance‑management use.
• You own the business implementation of process mining within Ocean Freight Operations, governing use‑case prioritization and execution to ensure measurable value realization through data‑driven process transparency and improvement.

Process Governance, Enablement and Adoption

• Define and own the strategic vision for global operational excellence and digital enablement to improve service delivery, customer satisfaction, production unit costs, profit margins and Operating Cash Flow.
• Optimize EBIT through cost-to-serve reduction programs
• Own the Global Target Operating Model and global Standard Operating Procedures
• Set DHL Service Standards for operational processes and OKRs linking outcomes (efficiency, compliance, CX) to capabilities (automation, usability, scalability).
• Ensure “Right 1st Time” shipment execution and use process mining tools, analytics and First Choice methodologies to identify process inefficiencies, remove waste/variability and automation opportunities to optimize workflows
• Translate customer insights into process improvements and system enhancements.
• Translate standards into configurable rules, data models and integrations with strong data governance
• Govern outsourcing transitions to- and performance of Global Service Centres (GSC)
• Drive global rollout of process and product enhancements ensuring high transaction coverage and adherence
• Develop role-based training paths, enablement content and in-app guidance to accelerate adoption.
• Monitor and improve performance against critical performance metrics

Solution Delivery

• Co-create and implement automation solutions and integrations to reduce cost-to-serve and improve Right 1st Time performance.
• Maintain a prioritized backlog for all process improvements, digital product features, technical enablers and compliance requirements on epic-, feature- and story/task level
• Ensure continuous backlog grooming and priority alignment in collaboration with product owners, process leads and IT/BPO based on business value, technical feasibility and risk
• Perform sprint planning with clearly defined goals and acceptance criteria.
• Drive execution through daily stand-ups, ensuring progress and timely removal of blockers
• Provide end-of-sprint demos to stakeholders, validate KPI impact and identify improvement opportunities for velocity, quality and adoption through the retrospectives

Operational Accounting, GP and Cash Realization

• Optimize EBIT through GP maximization and cash realization initiatives
• Drive operational accounting discipline across auto-rating, auto-costing, billing timeliness/accuracy, accrual timeliness and dispute resolution to improve Operating Cash Flow and reduce DSO.
• Eliminate recurring revenue leakage and unjustified direct variable costs to protect margins.
• Ensure vendor invoices validation before file closure to ensure charges align with agreed rates.
• Monitor profitability by customer and trade lane, addressing low-margin lanes in collaboration with Growth and Trade Management.
• Support Procurement in cost optimization initiatives
• Ensure timely and effective dispute resolution to accelerate cash realization.

Data Governance

• Establish global data standards, controls, and validation rules to ensure completeness, accuracy and timeliness across all domains in collaboration with IT/BPO MDM
• Enforce global data standards and audit trails
• Detect and resolve data integrity issues promptly, providing monthly improvement heatmaps to senior management.
• Collaborate with IT/BPO to optimize policies on data quality, retention, regulatory compliance, integration standards, metadata and lineage.
• Drive accountability through data stewards for master data, rates/contracts, bookings, milestones, operational accounting and compliance.
• Leverage analytics to improve visibility and accuracy across global systems, driving transparency and continuous improvement against DHL Service Standards and operational KPIs.
• Maintain the metadata catalogue and lineage diagrams.

Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with DHL policies and international trade regulations, customs requirements, FMC rules and data privacy standards.
• Operate a proactive risk management and compliance framework covering operational and regulatory risks
• Identify operational and compliance risks across Ocean Freight operations and implement mitigation strategies.
• Implement compliance by design in all processes, systems and workflows

People & Culture

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational agility.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, diverse global team of process excellence and operational accounting experts
• Support and drive initiatives to enhance employee engagement within Global Ocean Freight Operations

Skills

• Ocean Freight Expertise : Deep knowledge of ocean freight related processes and regulations
• Process and Profit Optimization: Expertise in process and (digital) product management, process mining and analytics, cost optimization, margin management and yield improvement.
• Performance Management : Skilled in using data-driven insights for performance management and strategic decision-making.
• Digital Transformation : Advanced proficiency in DHL systems (CW1, RMS, MyFRP) and BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) and track record of leveraging data, automation and AI for operational optimization.
• Enterprise Influence : Proven ability to shape global operations, establish enterprise-wide standards and leading transformation programs
• Stakeholder Engagement : Strong collaboration and influencing skills within complex global networks.

Qualifications & Key Requirements

• 8+ Years in global logistics/supply chain with 3+ years in Ocean Freight operations leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business or Information Systems required.
• Certifications in Lean Six Sigma, Agile, Data Governance, or Compliance desirable.
• Proven track record in global process ownership and digital enablement.
• Demonstrated delivery of EBIT, Operating Cash Flow, NPS and operational performance improvements.
• Experience leading hybrid organizations and enterprise level outsourcing models
• Successful execution of large-scale transformations across multi-region environments.

Location

Strong preference for Bonn but flexible in Europe

RCS Grade

I

Your benefits

• Positive work environment: Our Top EMPLOYER prestigious certification attests to our best-in-class efforts to attract and retain talent by fostering a positive work environment and encouraging personal and professional development among employees
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, social counseling, generous corporate discount programs and other employee wellbeing programs.
• Global Exposure: Joining DHL Global Forwarding means being part of a truly global organization, providing you with the opportunity to work with diverse teams and gain exposure to international markets and practices.
• Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and we strive to provide a flexible work environment.
• Continuous Learning and Development: We invest in our employees' growth by offering training programs, coaching, workshops, and resources to enhance your skills and knowledge.
• Onboarding: Individual onboarding, training on the job, networking, a dedicated certified program.

Interested in this position? Just click on “Apply”!

Are you curious to learn more about us?

Our official website:

Check out our business updates and culture:

We are looking forward to your application.

DGF HR Team