Commercial Director Air & Ocean Freight (m/f/d)
Our client is a globally established freight forwarding and logistics business with a strong international network and a growing presence in the Middle East. As part of an ambitious regional growth strategy, our client is seeking a highly experienced Commercial Director to lead the Air and Ocean Freight business in Dubai.
This is a senior leadership position with full commercial ownership, responsible for driving revenue growth, strengthening customer relationships, and building a high‑performing commercial organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute the commercial strategy for Air and Ocean Freight across the UAE and wider Middle East
- Drive profitable growth through new business development, key account management, and strategic customer partnerships
- Lead, coach, and scale a high‑performing sales and commercial team
- Develop strong relationships with regional and global customers, including multinational accounts
- Own pricing strategy, tenders, and contract negotiations for air and ocean freight solutions
- Partner closely with operations, product, and finance teams to deliver customer‑centric, competitive solutions
- Track market trends, customer demands, and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities
- Represent the business with key stakeholders, partners, and at industry events
Candidate Profile
- Senior commercial leadership experience within Air and Ocean Freight forwarding
- Demonstrated success driving growth in international logistics markets, ideally within the Middle East
- Deep product expertise across air and ocean freight, trade lanes, and carrier management
- Strong people‑leadership capabilities with experience building and motivating commercial teams
- Strategic thinker with hands‑on execution capability
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, performance‑driven environment
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your CV so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with CV and interview preparation. From customised support on how to optimise your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.