Area Air Logistics Operations Manager

It's more than a job

As a member of the Freight Forwarding team Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling our customers' promises. And by transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine.

The National Air Logistics Operations Manager is responsible to deliver operational effectiveness and excellence while ensuring compliance with global Air Logistics operations standards and continuously optimizing production costs for the National Air Logistics organization.


How you create impact

The position has direct responsibility for the following national functions:

• Operational Care Center (OCC): Oversight of end-to-end shipment execution, ensuring operational efficiency, network coordination, and service reliability.
• Revenue Care Center (RCC): Accountability for accurate revenue capture, cost control, billing integrity, and financial performance of air logistics operations.
• Air Logistics Operations Optimization: Driving continuous improvement initiatives, process standardization, and operational excellence across the network.
• Air Logistics Implementation Management: Leading the onboarding and deployment of new business, ensuring smooth transitions and operational readiness.
• National Operational Key Account Management (NOKAM): Managing operational relationships with strategic key accounts, ensuring service delivery aligns with contractual obligations and customer expectations.
• Air Logistics Operations Warehousing: Oversight of warehouse operations supporting air freight, ensuring efficiency, safety, and compliance with handling standards.
• Air Logistics Trucking: Management of pre- and on-carriage transportation services, optimizing capacity, routing, and cost efficiency.
• Regulatory & Governance: Ensuring adherence to all relevant regulatory requirements, internal policies, and global standards, including risk management and audit readiness.
• Air Logistics Customs: Supervision of customs clearance activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing across all shipments.
• Air Logistics QSHE (Quality, Safety, Health & Environment): Driving a culture of safety and quality, ensuring compliance with QSHE standards and continuous improvement of operational practices.

What we would like you to bring

• 8+ years of Air Logistics / Freight Forwarding experience
• Proven leadership of multi-functional teams
• Strong operational, financial, and process optimization expertise
• Experience with implementation, change management, and transformation
• Deep understanding of logistics systems and regulatory requirements
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Extensive Air Logistics expertise, with strong knowledge of freight forwarding operations, import/export regulations, and end-to-end supply chain processes
• Proven leadership experience managing large, multi-functional operational teams at a national or regional level
• Strong operational and commercial acumen, with the ability to balance service excellence, cost optimization, and financial performance
• Experience in process improvement and optimization, including process mapping and driving operational efficiency initiatives
• Project and implementation management experience, including onboarding new business and leading operational change
• Solid understanding of systems and tools used in Air Logistics, including internal logistics platforms and Microsoft Office applications
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions (sales, finance, HR) and manage external partners
• Change management mindset, with a track record of driving transformation and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills, with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to perform under pressure
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, including team development, performance management, and fostering collaboration
• International exposure and experience working in complex, matrix organizations preferred
• Advanced English proficiency

What's in it for you

Kuehne+Nagel we strive daily to inspire, empower, and deliver not only to our customers, but also to our colleagues. We offer a dynamic global work environment with opportunities for excellent training programs and career mobility. Hourly wage will be betwen 135,000 and 145,000 annually. Base wage is part of a competitive total rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and incentive compensation for eligible roles. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, skills, job location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. Kuehne+Nagel reviews pay ranges regularly to ensure competitive and fair pay based on industry market data. #LI-SB1

Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employer sponsorship.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.

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