Air Logistics Gateway Operations Specialist

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.

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 Air Logistics Gateway Operations Specialist is responsible for executing the operations of a local gateway. This role involves utilizing procured fixed capacity, optimizing cargo flows, and enhancing the commercial outcomes of gateway activities. Additionally, the position is accountable for meeting agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs), fulfilling customer demands, procuring spot capacity when necessary, and enabling growth.

How you create impact

• Manage daily gateway operations for air import, air export, and transshipment shipments.
• Coordinate cargo movement through gateway facilities while ensuring compliance with company procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Plan, manage, and optimize shipment consolidations to maximize efficiency, service performance, and cost effectiveness.
• Monitor airline capacity and proactively secure space to support customer and operational requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with airline partners and other transportation providers.
• Ensure timely booking, routing, tracking, and exception management of shipments.
• Analyze shipment volumes, capacity utilization, and operational performance to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Resolve operational issues, shipment delays, and service disruptions through effective problem-solving and stakeholder coordination.
• Collaborate with customers, carriers, warehouses, customs brokers, transportation providers, and internal operational teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Monitor and achieve key performance indicators (KPIs), service level agreements (SLAs), and operational excellence targets.
• Maintain accurate shipment records, reports, and documentation.
• Support process improvements and contribute to productivity, quality, and cost-saving initiatives.

What we would like you to bring

• 2-5 years of experience in Air Export, Air Import, or Gateway Operations within the freight forwarding/logistics industry.
• Strong knowledge of carrier management, including airline relationship management, rate negotiations, and performance monitoring.
• Experience with capacity planning, shipment forecasting, and cargo consolidation to maximize efficiency and meet service commitments.
• Proven ability to deliver operational results, achieve KPIs, and drive process improvements in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled at managing high shipment volumes while maintaining accuracy, meeting deadlines, and ensuring service quality.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with airlines, customers, warehouses, transportation providers, and internal teams.
• Effective negotiation and problem-solving abilities to resolve shipment exceptions, capacity constraints, and operational challenges.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and time management skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word, for reporting, analysis, and communication.
• Strong communication skills, customer focus, and ability to work under pressure in time-sensitive logistics operations.

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.

What's in it for you

At 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. The hourly wage for this role is between 27.00 and 31.00. 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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in specific process [e.g., screening applications, interview scheduling]. These tools analyze information to support decision-making, but final decisions are made by human reviewers.

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.

We kindly advise that placement agencies refrain from submitting unsolicited profiles. Any submissions of candidates without prior signed agreement will be considered our property and no fees will be paid.