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.