Group Air Freight Procurement Manager

Group Air Freight Procurement Manager

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Group Air Freight Procurement Manager to lead the development and execution of a global air freight procurement and carrier strategy for an established international logistics business specialising in aviation and aerospace.

Key Responsibilities

Global Procurement Strategy

• Develop and implement a global air freight procurement strategy aligned with commercial and operational objectives.
• Establish and manage a preferred carrier network across key international trade lanes.
• Consolidate global purchasing volumes to strengthen negotiating power and improve commercial terms.
• Introduce consistent procurement processes, governance and best practices across international locations.

Airline & Carrier Management

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with global airlines, cargo sales organisations and specialist freight providers.
• Lead negotiations covering freight rates, capacity allocations, rebates, incentives and service agreements.
• Develop strategic carrier partnerships that deliver competitive pricing, service reliability and capacity security.
• Monitor carrier performance and maintain alternative solutions to minimise operational disruption.

Capacity & Commercial Performance

• Work with regional teams to forecast capacity requirements and secure appropriate airline allocations.
• Identify opportunities to improve buying rates, reduce procurement costs and increase gross profit.
• Benchmark carrier rates against market conditions and negotiate improved commercial arrangements.
• Reduce unnecessary spot buying and maximise the use of negotiated carrier agreements.
• Balance cost competitiveness with service quality, capacity availability and customer requirements.

Tender & Sales Support

• Provide procurement expertise for major customer tenders, RFQs and new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with sales and pricing teams to develop competitive and commercially viable freight solutions.
• Negotiate customer-specific carrier agreements where required.
• Review tender performance to ensure commercial commitments and profitability targets are achieved.

Specialist Aviation & Time-Critical Freight

• Develop procurement solutions for Aircraft on Ground (AOG), time-critical and specialist aerospace shipments.
• Secure priority capacity and escalation arrangements for urgent and mission-critical cargo.
• Support the procurement of charter, part-charter and premium freight solutions.
• Ensure appropriate carrier selection for dangerous goods, aircraft engines, oversized cargo and high-value shipments.

Procurement Governance & Performance

• Monitor global air freight market trends, airline capacity, rate movements and potential disruptions.
• Establish supplier performance measures and procurement reporting.
• Ensure compliance with relevant aviation security, dangerous goods, quality and regulatory requirements.

Essential Experience & Skills

• 10+ years' experience within air freight, freight forwarding, airline procurement or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years' experience in a senior procurement, air freight product or carrier management role with multi-regional responsibility.
• Proven experience negotiating airline rates, capacity agreements, allocations, rebates and strategic commercial contracts.
• Strong knowledge of international air freight markets, airline networks, trade lanes and pricing structures.