Ocean Freight Pricing Manager
Posted
Job Purpose
As the Pricing Manager for Ocean Freight Forwarding, you will lead a team of pricing professionals and oversee the development, execution, and governance of pricing in a country, from spot quoting to tender reply. You will be responsible for ensuring pricing competitiveness, profitability, and alignment with global trade and commercial objectives. Your leadership and market expertise will play a critical role in driving business growth, securing high-value tenders, and enabling commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Pricing Management
- Define and execute local and regional pricing strategies in coordination with Regional Trade Management
- Set pricing frameworks and margin guidance to support customer acquisition and retention
- Analyze trade lane performance and customer profitability to optimize pricing models
Tender & Bid Management
- Oversee the pricing function for global, regional, and key local tenders, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and competitiveness
- Collaborate with Sales and Tender Management to win strategic business while maintaining healthy margins
- Review and approve complex pricing structures for high-value RFQs and long-term contracts
Cost Management
- Drive cost of sales reductions by optimizing buying conditions of all local charges incl. but not limited to origin/destination handling charges, pickup and delivery fees as well as demurrage, detention and storage in collaboration with Trade Management, Procurement and ICC (if applicable)
- Ensure local buying conditions are mapped in line with the global charge code guidance
- Oversee and support service delivery in the timely resolution of cost disputes
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Collaborate with Sales, Trade Lane Managers, Carrier Management, and Product teams to align pricing with commercial goals
- Act as a key pricing advisor to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external suppliers and carriers to support pricing negotiations
Data Governance and Compliance
- Ensure accurate, timely and complete maintenance of tariffs, surcharge tables, and pricing data in relevant systems (e.g., MTS, QuoteShop, CW1 DDS, RMS)
- Ensure local quotations are in line with global charge code guidance
- Support service delivery in the timely resolution of rate disputes
- Ensure FMC compliance through timely and accurate NRA issuance and acceptanceDrive process improvement initiatives to enhance pricing workflows and automation
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of pricing specialists, fostering a high-performance culture
- Allocate resources and set priorities to support pricing requests, tenders, and strategic projects
- Provide coaching and career development support to ensure team growth and operational excellence
Stakeholders
- Sales & Commercial Leadership
- Global Tender Management
- Trade Lane Development Teams
- Carrier & Procurement Teams
- Regional & Global Pricing Offices
Management Responsibility
- Individual contributor who may manage two or fewer employees
- May direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs
- Coach, review and delegate work to lower level professionals
Or in case of a larger team
- Supervise professional level employees (typically entry or experienced level) and may also supervise some non professional employees
Skills
- Proven leadership and people management abilities in a cross-functional, multicultural environment
- Deep understanding of ocean freight markets, trade dynamics, and carrier pricing structures
- Strong analytical and commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data and translate into actionable strategies
- Advanced proficiency in pricing systems, Excel, and data tools
- Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
- Capable of managing complexity, prioritizing under pressure, and driving decisions
Qualifications & Key Requirements
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