Trade Manager, Asia/Isc – Mediterranean (Seafreight)

Job Summary The Trade Manager, Asia/ISC – Mediterranean is responsible for driving commercial growth, procurement strategy, carrier management, and product development across the trade lane. This role leads a professional team and collaborates closely with regional and country stakeholders to deliver profitable growth, enhance customer experience, optimize carrier partnerships, and support Kuehne+Nagel's Roadmap 2026 objectives. Key Responsibilities Leadership & People Management Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing professional team through coaching, training, talent development, and succession planning. Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability, and employee engagement. Ensure team alignment with Kuehne+Nagel's Roadmap 2026 strategy, customer excellence principles, and business objectives. Commercial Growth & Market Development Drive trade volume growth (TEU) and profitability (P/NP2 per TEU) across the Asia/ISC – Mediterranean trade lane. Increase profitable market share across countries within the trade scope in line with Roadmap 2026 targets. Support regions and countries in the execution of go-to-market strategies through direct market engagement and field support. Conduct regular reviews of market conditions, customer requirements, competitor activities, and industry trends. Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers through direct client engagement. Procurement & Carrier Management Lead central procurement activities and coordinate subcontracted carrier services across the trade lane. Negotiate sea freight rates and commercial agreements with carriers, focusing on total cost ownership and long-term value creation. Manage carrier allocations and capacity planning in collaboration with carriers and the Kuehne+Nagel operational network. Ensure carrier service quality and proactively address operational and service-related challenges. Implement and maintain Kuehne+Nagel's carrier management and procurement policies in alignment with corporate strategy. Product Management & Trade Development Develop and maintain a competitive, market-leading service portfolio tailored to local customer and market requirements. Optimize carrier selection, allocation strategies, and pricing structures to maximize competitiveness and profitability. Analyze supply and demand dynamics to identify opportunities and risks within the trade lane. Develop innovative procurement methodologies leveraging market intelligence, predictive analytics, and digital capabilities. Strategic Stakeholder Management Act as the central point of contact for all Kuehne+Nagel Seafreight stations in Europe relating to the trade lane. Collaborate closely with Regional Seafreight Managers, National Seafreight Managers, Zone Managers, and local country organizations. Partner with Sales, Key Account Management (KAM), and country leadership teams to drive business growth and enhance customer experience. Lead and support strategic initiatives, including key Roadmap 2026 projects and targeted market development programs such as the Japan/Korea initiative. Digital Transformation & Process Excellence Champion digital ecosystem initiatives to improve process efficiency, productivity, and competitive advantage. Support the implementation of current and future digital go-to-market strategies in alignment with Roadmap 2026. Drive continuous improvement through technology adoption, data analytics, and process optimization. Tender & Key Account Management Lead and manage Request for Quotation (RFQ) processes, ensuring competitive and profitable outcomes. Jointly own and develop selected strategic target accounts in partnership with Sales, Regional Management, and Country Management. Support customer retention and acquisition efforts through effective trade management and customer-centric solutions. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Extensive experience in international sea freight, trade management, carrier procurement, or liner shipping. Proven leadership experience with the ability to develop and inspire high-performing teams. Strong commercial acumen with experience in pricing, procurement, contract negotiation, and market development. Deep understanding of container shipping markets, carrier management, and trade lane dynamics. Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across regional and global stakeholder groups. Strong analytical, s…