Global Logistics Director

Position Summary

The Global Logistics Director is responsible for developing and executing the organization’s global logistics strategy across all business divisions, including international trading, manufacturing, distribution, and project cargo operations. The role provides executive leadership for worldwide transportation, freight management, customs and trade compliance, warehousing, international logistics, and supply chain optimization.

The Director is accountable for establishing world-class logistics capabilities that support business growth while optimizing cost, improving service levels, mitigating supply chain risks, and ensuring compliance with international trade regulations. The position oversees logistics operations across the UAE, GCC, Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America through regional logistics teams, third-party logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and strategic transportation partners.

The Global Logistics Director serves as a strategic advisor to executive management on logistics, international trade, transportation, and supply chain matters and plays a critical role in business expansion, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

1. Global Logistics Strategy

• Develop and implement the company’s global logistics strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives.
• Lead logistics transformation initiatives that improve operational efficiency, customer service, and profitability.
• Design scalable logistics networks supporting global trading, manufacturing, and distribution.
• Establish logistics governance, policies, and operational standards across all business units.
• Advise executive management on logistics risks, costs, and strategic opportunities.

2. Global Transportation & Freight Management

• Lead worldwide transportation operations across sea, air, road, rail, and multimodal freight.
• Develop global freight procurement strategies.
• Negotiate strategic agreements with shipping lines, airlines, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, trucking companies, and logistics providers.
• Optimize transportation costs while maintaining service excellence.
• Build long-term strategic partnerships with global logistics providers.

3. International Shipping & Project Logistics

Provide executive oversight for:

• FCL and LCL shipping
• Breakbulk cargo
• Heavy lift and oversized cargo
• Project logistics
• Vessel chartering
• Cross-trade shipments
• Industrial and manufacturing logistics
• Time-critical and high-value cargo

Ensure regional logistics teams execute projects safely, efficiently, and within budget.

4. Global Customs & Trade Compliance

• Develop corporate customs and international trade compliance strategies.
• Ensure compliance with customs regulations across all operating regions.
• Oversee customs governance, duty optimization, free trade agreements, and duty exemption programs.
• Lead relationships with customs authorities, ministries, ports, and regulatory agencies.
• Minimize customs risks, penalties, and operational delays.

5. Supply Chain Optimization

• Lead initiatives to improve end-to-end supply chain performance.
• Optimize transportation networks and warehouse connectivity.
• Improve inventory flow and distribution efficiency.
• Develop logistics KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Implement continuous improvement and Lean logistics initiatives.

6. Commercial & Financial Management

• Own the global logistics budget and transportation spend.
• Identify and deliver sustainable logistics cost savings.
• Evaluate capital investments in logistics infrastructure and technology.
• Approve major logistics contracts and service agreements.
• Monitor logistics profitability and total landed cost.

7. Risk Management & Business Continuity

• Develop logistics risk management and business continuity plans.
• Ensure supply chain resilience during geopolitical events, port disruptions, natural disasters, and trade restrictions.
• Diversify logistics routes and transportation providers.
• Lead crisis response for critical supply chain disruptions.

8. Digital Logistics & Technology

• Drive digital transformation within logistics operations.
• Champion the implementation and optimization of ERP, TMS, WMS, freight visibility platforms, and logistics analytics.
• Use data-driven insights to improve logistics performance.
• Promote automation, AI, and predictive analytics across the logistics function.

9. Global Vendor & Strategic Partner Management

• Establish executive relationships with global logistics providers.
• Lead strategic negotiations with shipping lines, airlines, charter brokers, ports, and third-party logistics companies.
• Develop supplier performance scorecards and governance frameworks.
• Conduct annual strategic business reviews with key logistics partners.

10. Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead regional logistics managers and country logistics teams.
• Build a high-performing logistics organization.
• Develop succession planning and leadership capability within the logistics function.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Global Logistics Director is accountable for delivering measurable improvements in:

• Logistics cost as a percentage of revenue
• Transportation cost per shipment
• On-time delivery performance
• Perfect order fulfillment
• Customs clearance cycle time
• Freight claims ratio
• Demurrage and detention costs
• Inventory transit days
• Logistics service provider performance
• Working capital optimization
• Customer satisfaction
• Safety and compliance performance

Required Skills & Competencies

Executive Leadership

• Global Logistics Strategy
• Supply Chain Leadership
• Executive Decision Making
• Change Management
• Organizational Development
• Business Transformation

Technical Expertise

• International Freight Management
• Vessel Chartering
• Breakbulk & Project Cargo
• Global Trade Compliance
• Customs & Duty Optimization
• GCC Cross-Border Logistics
• Transportation Management
• Warehouse & Distribution Strategy
• Procurement & Contract Negotiation
• Risk Management
• ERP (SAP S/4HANA preferred), TMS, WMS, Power BI, and logistics analytics platforms

Geographic Scope

The role has executive responsibility for logistics operations across:

• United Arab Emirates
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Bahrain
• Middle East
• Asia
• Europe
• Africa
• North America
• International Shipping & Global Trade Operations

Job Details

Preferred Candidate

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