Director, Ocean Freight - United States

DP World · Chicago, United States

About the role

We are the leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain & logistics, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. Our comprehensive range of products and services covers every link of the integrated supply chain – from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks as well as technology-driven customer solutions.

The Director, Ocean Freight – U.S. is responsible for leading the strategy, development, commercial performance, and operational alignment of DP World’s Ocean Freight product portfolio across the United States.

This role serves as the senior U.S. product leader for Ocean Freight and is accountable for driving product growth, carrier strategy alignment, solution development, service standardization, and customer-focused innovation across the U.S. Freight Forwarding organization.

The Director will partner closely with commercial, operations, procurement, pricing, and industry vertical leaders to develop scalable Ocean Freight solutions that support revenue growth, profitability, operational excellence, and customer retention within the U.S. market.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

PRODUCT STRATEGY & PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

  • Develop and execute the U.S. Ocean Freight product strategy aligned with DP World Freight Forwarding growth objectives
  • Own and manage the U.S. Ocean Freight product portfolio, including service offerings, trade-lane development, pricing alignment, and profitability optimization
  • Drive product lifecycle management initiatives including product development, standardization, enhancement, and retirement decisions
  • Identify opportunities to improve product competitiveness, customer experience, operational efficiency, and margin performance within the U.S. market
  • Establish standardized Ocean Freight products, SOPs, and service expectations across the U.S. organization
  • Partner with procurement and carrier management teams to support carrier strategy, allocation optimization, and vendor performance initiatives

COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP & CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

  • Serve as the lead Ocean Freight product expert supporting strategic sales opportunities, customer implementations, RFQs, and complex solution design initiatives
  • Support the U.S. commercial organization in developing competitive and scalable Ocean Freight solutions tailored to customer supply chain requirements
  • Drive growth initiatives focused on strategic accounts, targeted trade lanes, and key industry verticals
  • Partner with sales leadership to support pipeline development, customer retention strategies, and revenue growth initiatives
  • Monitor U.S. market conditions, customer trends, carrier developments, and competitive activity to inform product strategy and commercial decision-making

OPERATIONAL ALGINMENT & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

  • Establish KPIs and performance metrics related to product profitability, service execution, carrier performance, and customer satisfaction
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational consistency, service quality, productivity, and process optimization
  • Collaborate with operations leadership to ensure successful execution and delivery of Ocean Freight products across the U.S. network
  • Support implementation and adoption of operational standards, technology enhancements, and process improvements

LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Lead and develop a high-performing U.S. Ocean Freight product management function
  • Foster collaboration across commercial, operations, procurement, pricing, and support teams
  • Provide coaching, mentorship, and strategic direction to product management personnel and key stakeholders
  • Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, customer focus, and continuous improvement

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

  • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Ocean Freight, freight forwarding, logistics, or supply chain management
  • Strong experience within the U.S. freight forwarding and Ocean Freight market
  • Proven success leading product management, commercial strategy, or operational leadership initiatives within a logistics environment
  • Deep understanding of U.S. import/export operations, carrier relationships, trade-lane management, and forwarding operations
  • Demonstrated ability to drive revenue growth, product development, and operational improvements
  • Strong commercial acumen and customer-facing leadership experience
  • Experience supporting strategic accounts, RFQs, and complex customer solution development
  • Proven ability to lead within a matrixed organization and influence cross-functional stakeholders
  • Experience in temperature-controlled shipment procurement would be a plus

Please note: This position does not offer sponsorship for employment visas. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

COMPENSATION

The expected base pay for this role is between $155,000 - $180,000. This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

As part of our comprehensive benefits package, DP World offers a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle and other benefits and perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing.

This position may be eligible for either short-term incentives or sales compensation. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have as you move through the selection process.

ABOUT DP WORLD

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 115,000 employees from 160 nationalities, spanning 78 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimizing disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

DP World is on a mission to transcend boundaries and bridge the gap between all nations and cultures – not just in what we do but also in how we behave.

We are dedicated to creating a culture where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity, drives innovation and growth and helps us connect people, businesses, and societies. Free minds and different perspectives are changing our world, and together we can change what’s possible.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW

TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

DP World is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We strongly believe that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success and we make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or belief.

By submitting your resume and application information, you authorize DP World to transmit and store your information in the world-wide recruitment database, and to circulate that information as necessary for the purpose of evaluating your qualifications for this or other job vacancies.

Apply on DP World’s careers page

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