Global Head of Freight Strategy & Development
Description
The Role
Working for the Commodity COOs and working cross functionally with trading, commercial and logistics teams, the Global Head of Freight Strategy & Development (GHFS) will work to develop ECOM’s global freight and warehousing strategy across Coffee, Cocoa and Cotton, encompassing container shipping, bulk shipping and vessel chartering. The role will be responsible for leveraging the Group’s volumes, market knowledge and industry relationships to improve competitiveness, reliability, access to capacity and freight risk management.
We are looking for a senior freight professional who combines deep ocean-shipping expertise, strong commercial capabilities, market intelligence and established industry relationships.
Key Responsibilities
Build ECOM’s Global Freight Strategy by developing a clear view of ECOM’s major freight flows across Coffee, Cocoa and Cotton
Identify where coordination across commodities and regions can strengthen ECOM’s position and create value
Build a strong understanding of global container markets and provide ECOM with actionable and forward-looking freight intelligence
Using ECOM’s combined commodities footprint to build and strengthen relationships with major ocean carriers and key logistics providers at regional and global levels
Identify opportunities where Coffee, Cocoa and Cotton can work together to create greater scale and leverage to work towards a One ECOM approach
Analysis of overlapping trade lanes, carriers, origins and destinations and determine where greater coordination can improve purchasing power, service or access to capacity.
Develop Freight as a Commercial Capability
Develop a global view of ECOM’s warehousing footprint and identify where storage can improve competitiveness, flexibility and customer service
Develop a strategic view of bulk and breakbulk shipping opportunities across ECOM’s commodities, identifying where vessel chartering can improve freight competitiveness and create commercial value.
Provide expertise and guidance on charter-party negotiations, freight hedging strategies, and demurrage and detention exposure, ensuring ECOM effectively manages freight-related costs and risks.
Leverage existing in-house capabilities while identifying opportunities for greater coordination, market intelligence and commercial leverage across the Group, particularly if these activities become more centralized.
Skills & Experience
Significant experience in the ocean container shipping industry within a similar role, ideally including experience within a major shipping line or in a senior freight commercial role.
A strong network and established relationships with major ocean carriers and key decisionmakers across relevant trade lanes.
Deep understanding of carrier economics, capacity management, equipment flows, service networks and freight pricing dynamics.
A proven ability to read and anticipate freight-market developments and translate them into commercial and strategic actions
Understanding of global warehousing and distribution networks and how inventory positioning can support freight and commercial strategy.
A commercial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities beyond traditional freight procurement and create measurable value for the business.
Experience working across multiple geographies, trade lanes and, ideally, commodity or agricultural supply chains.
Ability to connect Group-wide volumes and requirements across Coffee, Cocoa and Cotton and identify opportunities that may not be visible within individual businesses.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and negotiate with both internal teams and external partners
An entrepreneurial and pragmatic mindset, comfortable building a capability that can evolve
As an equal opportunities’ employer, the ECOM Group is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.