Air and Ocean Export Manager

Job Description Ocean Freight Product & Operations Manager Position: Ocean Freight Product & Operations Manager-India Department: Ocean Freight / Operations Location: Mumbai Reporting To: Director/Head of Ocean Freight & Commercial Director Experience: 815 years in freight forwarding / NVOCC / shipping & logistics Employment Type: Full-time 1. Role Purpose The Ocean Freight Product & Operations Manager will be responsible for managing and developing the company's ocean freight product across India, ensuring competitive pricing, strong carrier relationships, operational excellence, and profitable growth. The role will oversee end-to-end ocean freight operations, including import, export, FCL, LCL, carrier management, vendor management, customer service, documentation, and operational performance. The position will work closely with Sales, Pricing, Customer Service, Finance, Customs, Warehousing, and overseas offices/agents to deliver reliable and commercially competitive ocean freight solutions. 2. Key Responsibilities A. Ocean Freight Product Management Develop and manage the company's ocean freight product strategy for India.Build strong relationships with major shipping lines, NVOCCs, co-loaders, consolidators, and overseas agents.Work closely with Pricing team to attain competitive buying rates, service contracts, free days, credit terms, space commitments, and other commercial conditions.Monitor market trends, carrier capacity, blank sailings, GRIs/PSS, congestion, equipment availability, and schedule changes.Develop and maintain competitive trade-lane solutions for key import and export markets.Identify new trade lanes, services, carriers, and consolidation opportunities.Support the sales team with market intelligence, rate guidance, and product solutions.Review profitability by customer, trade lane, carrier, and shipment type.CFS Management,Transportation management B. Ocean Freight Operations Manage the complete operational cycle of ocean freight shipments from booking to final delivery.Ensure timely execution of:Booking and space confirmationShipping instructionsBill of Lading / Sea WaybillVGMDocumentationContainer release and pickupCustoms coordinationGate-in / cut-off managementVessel sailing and arrival monitoringTransshipment managementArrival noticesDelivery order and destination coordinationEnsure smooth handling of both FCL and LCL shipments.Monitor shipment exceptions and proactively resolve operational issues.Establish SOPs and ensure adherence across branches and teams.Ensure accurate and timely system updates for all shipments. C. Carrier & Vendor Management Maintain strong working relationships with shipping lines and NVOCCs.Negotiate and manage annual/quarterly service contracts along with Pricing teams .Track carrier performance on:Space availabilityEquipment availabilityTransit timeSchedule reliabilityDocumentationDetention/demurrageClaims and service issuesDevelop alternate carrier and routing options to mitigate operational risks.Evaluate and manage overseas agents, co-loaders, transporters, CFS/ICD operators, and other service providers. D. Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop the ocean freight operations and product team.Allocate responsibilities and monitor team performance.Establish KPIs and productivity targets.Conduct regular performance reviews and training.Build a strong culture of ownership, customer service, accuracy, and operational discipline. E. Customer Service & Escalation Management Act as the escalation point for critical ocean freight operational issues.Ensure prompt resolution of customer complaints and service failures.Work proactively with customers and internal teams to manage:Vessel delaysRolled cargoPort congestionEquipment shortagesCustoms/documentation issuesDetention/demurrageDamage/claimsDelivery delaysDrive continuous improvement in customer experience. F. Compliance & Risk Management Ensure compliance with applicable Indian customs, shipping, port, DG, and documentation requirements.Ensure proper handling of Dangerous Goods (DG) and other restricted cargo.Monitor documentation accuracy and minimize operational and financial risks.Ensure adherence to company SOPs, compliance policies, and audit requirements. G. MIS, Analytics & Performance Management Prepare and review regular MIS covering: Shipment volumes TEUs / CBMFCL / LCL volumesRevenue and gross profitGP per TEU / shipmentCarrier performanceSpace utilizationOn-time sailing performanceDetention/demurrage exposureShipment exceptionsCustomer profitabilityTrade-lane performanceVendor performanceUse data and market intelligence to identify opportunities for volume growth, cost reduction, margin improvement, and operational efficiency. 3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Ocean freight volume growth TEUs / CBMGross profit and GP/TEURevenue growthCustomer retentionNew customer / trade-lane developmentCarrier buying rate .