Ocean Freight Pricing Manager

Job Purpose

As the Pricing Manager for Ocean Freight Forwarding, you will lead a team of pricing professionals and oversee the development, execution, and governance of pricing in a country, from spot quoting to tender rep ly. You will be responsible for ensuring pricing competitiveness, profitability, and alignment with global trade and commercial objectives. Your leadership and market expertise will play a critical role in driving business growth, securing high-value tenders, and enabling commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Pricing Management

• Define and execute local and regional pricing strategies in coordination with Regional Trade Management
• Set pricing frameworks and margin guidance to support customer acquisition and retention
• Analyze trade lane performance and customer profitability to optimize pricing models

Tender & Bid Management

• Oversee the pricing function for global, regional, and key local tenders, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and competitiveness
• Collaborate with Sales and Tender Management to win strategic business while maintaining healthy margins
• Review and approve complex pricing structures for high-value RFQs and long-term contracts

Cost Management

• Drive cost of sales reductions by optimizing buying conditions of all local charges incl. but not limited to origin/destination handling charges, pickup and delivery fees as well as demurrage, detention and storage in collaboration with Trade Management, Procurement and ICC (if applicable)
• Ensure local buying conditions are mapped in line with the global charge code guidance
• Oversee and support service delivery in the timely resolution of cost disputes

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Collaborate with Sales, Trade Lane Managers, Carrier Management, and Product teams to align pricing with commercial goals
• Act as a key pricing advisor to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external suppliers and carriers to support pricing negotiations

Data Governance and Compliance

• Ensure accurate, timely and complete maintenance of tariffs, surcharge tables, and pricing data in relevant systems (e.g., MTS, QuoteShop, CW1 DDS, RMS)
• Ensure local quotations are in line with global charge code guidance
• Support service delivery in the timely resolution of rate disputes
• Ensure FMC compliance through timely and accurate NRA issuance and acceptanceDrive process improvement initiatives to enhance pricing workflows and automation

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of pricing specialists, fostering a high-performance culture
• Allocate resources and set priorities to support pricing requests, tenders, and strategic projects
• Provide coaching and career development support to ensure team growth and operational excellence

Stakeholders

• Sales & Commercial Leadership
• Global Tender Management
• Trade Lane Development Teams
• Carrier & Procurement Teams
• Regional & Global Pricing Offices

Management Responsibility

• Individual contributor who may manage two or fewer employees

• May direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs
• Coach, review and delegate work to lower level professionals

Or in case of a larger team

• Supervise professional level employees (typically entry or experienced level) and may also supervise some non professional employees

Skills

• Proven leadership and people management abilities in a cross-functional, multicultural environment
• Deep understanding of ocean freight markets, trade dynamics, and carrier pricing structures
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data and translate into actionable strategies
• Advanced proficiency in pricing systems, Excel, and data tools
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Capable of managing complexity, prioritizing under pressure, and driving decisions

Qualifications & Key Requirements