Managing Director - Temperature Controlled Logistics (m/w/d)
Managing Director - Temperature Controlled Logistics (m/w/d)
Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
Sector: Cold-Chain Logistics / Temperature-Controlled Transport
The Opportunity:
We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Managing Director to lead a well-established, medium-sized logistics business specialising in temperature-controlled transport and end-to-end cold-chain solutions.
Based in Düsseldorf, you will assume full leadership of a growing operation of 70-80 FTEs, with responsibility for driving operational excellence, commercial performance, and strategic growth across Germany and broader European markets.
This is a high-impact leadership role offering full autonomy and end-to-end P&L responsibility, ideal for a senior leader with deep expertise in reefer logistics and food supply chains.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Strategy
- Provide strong, visible leadership to a team of 70-80 employees across operations, commercial, and support functions
- Define and execute the strategic direction of the business in Germany
- Drive continuous improvement and scale operations in line with growth ambitions
Commercial & Client Management
- Own and manage full P&L responsibility, ensuring sustainable profitability
- Maintain and develop key client relationships, acting as a senior point of contact at both operational and commercial levels
- Identify and deliver business development opportunities, expanding the company's footprint within core sectors
Operations
- Oversee daily logistics operations with a focus on efficiency, service quality, and compliance
- Ensure excellence across road freight operations (FTL & LTL), with an understanding of multi-modal solutions
- Drive best practices in temperature-controlled transport, ensuring product integrity across the cold chain
Growth & Development
- Support expansion into new markets, customers, and service lines
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders to deliver long-term business objectives
- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability and results
Candidate Profile:
Essential Experience
- Proven leadership experience as a Managing Director, General Manager, or Senior Operations/Commercial Leader within logistics
- Strong background in temperature-controlled / cold-chain logistics, with food logistics experience essential
- Demonstrable expertise in reefer transport operations
- Deep understanding of road freight operations (FTL / LTL)
Desirable Experience
- Exposure to air and/or ocean freight
- Experience working with pharmaceutical logistics (nice to have, but not essential)
Skills & Attributes
- Highly commercial mindset with ability to balance growth and operational delivery
- Strong client-facing capabilities, managing key accounts at a strategic level
- Proven track record of delivering P&L performance and business expansion
- Hands-on leader with excellent operational insight and decision-making ability
- Fluent German and strong English skills preferred
Why Join
- Lead a dynamic and growing business in a critical and resilient industry
- Take full ownership of operations and commercial strategy within Germany
- Opportunity to shape the future of a specialised cold-chain logistics provider
- Work from a key European logistics hub in Düsseldorf
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