General Manager - UAE Gateway

Job Purpose:

Lead the UAE gateway business and operating platform, with accountability for commercial growth, customer service, regulatory compliance, operational performance, and profitable movement of freight through the UAE network and regional trade lanes.

Key Activities

• Lead and manage the UAE Gateway business, ensuring sustainable commercial growth, operational excellence, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and execute the UAE Gateway strategy, annual operating plans, budgets, and business growth initiatives aligned with the company's regional logistics strategy.
• Take full accountability for the gateway's profit and loss (P&L), revenue generation, EBITDA, gross margins, cost optimization, and overall financial performance.
• Oversee freight forwarding, transportation, warehousing, customs coordination, and logistics operations across the UAE.
• Ensure seamless cross-border logistics operations and service integration between the UAE, KSA, and other regional markets.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities, trade lanes, gateway products, strategic partnerships, and value-added logistics services.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with strategic customers, carriers, agents, ports, airports, customs authorities, and business partners.
• Drive commercial performance through customer acquisition, business development, contract management, and long-term customer relationship management.
• Monitor operational efficiency, shipment performance, capacity utilization, service reliability, and cost per shipment to achieve established business targets.
• Ensure compliance with UAE regulatory requirements, international logistics standards, customs regulations, and applicable safety and security policies.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial, financial, operational, and regulatory risks to ensure business continuity.
• Oversee working capital management, collections, financial reporting, and overall operational cost control.
• Establish performance indicators and regularly report financial, commercial, and operational results to the Managing Director and executive leadership.
• Lead, develop, and manage commercial and operations teams, ensuring clear performance objectives, accountability, and effective collaboration.
• Build organizational capabilities through talent development, succession planning, workforce readiness, and continuous performance improvement.
• Collaborate with regional leadership and cross-functional departments to support strategic initiatives and achieve business objectives.

Job-Related Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in logistics, freight forwarding, transportation, or supply chain operations, including at least 5 years in senior leadership positions within the UAE or GCC.
• Advanced strategic planning and business development capabilities within the logistics and freight forwarding industry.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated expertise in revenue growth, market expansion, and profitability management.
• Proven experience in profit and loss (P&L) management, budgeting, financial planning, and cost optimization.
• Comprehensive knowledge of freight forwarding, transportation, warehousing, customs clearance, and integrated logistics operations.
• Strong understanding of UAE logistics regulations, customs procedures, international trade requirements, and cross-border operations.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, including team development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills with customers, government authorities, and strategic business partners.
• Ability to identify business opportunities, develop commercial strategies, and establish sustainable partnerships.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage complex operational and commercial challenges.
• Expertise in operational performance management, service quality improvement, risk mitigation, and business continuity planning.
• Strong financial management skills, including working capital management, financial reporting, and commercial performance analysis.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence senior management and external stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively in a multicultural, fast-paced, and geographically diverse business environment.
• Relevant professional certifications in logistics, freight forwarding, customs, or supply chain management are preferred.