Ocean Freight Tender Manager

Job Title: Ocean Freight Tender Manager

Job Location: Atlanta, Georgia

The Ocean Freight Tender Manager drives the strategic and operational management of Ocean Freight RFQs as a trusted subject matter expert and consultant to strategic customers in collaboration with the Commercial team. This role ensures competitive, profitable, and timely tender responses by defining bid strategies, steering global and regional stakeholders, and continuously improving pricing and processes. At its core, the position acts as the vital connector-bringing Ocean Freight product experts closer to customers to deliver tailored solutions that secure RFQ success, fuel profitable growth, and strengthen our market leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Customer Engagement & Commercial Enablement
• Act as the Ocean Freight subject matter expert, acting as a connector between product experts and the Commercial Team to drive RFQ processes and customer engagements.
• Collaborate with Commercial Owners to understand requirements and develop winning strategies.
• Bid Strategy & Solution Design
• Define bid strategy for assigned RFQs, including target trade lanes, competitive pricing, solution design, and technical value proposition
• Align strategy with Commercial Owners, Trade managers, LCL, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Tender Steering
• Steer regional Trade, LCL, and Country OCC teams to focus on strategic tenders involving significant lanes, volumes, and complexity.
• Ensure proactive solution development and generation of end-to-end competitive and profitable pricing.
• Pricing Leadership
• Drive competitive pricing aligned with customer targets and market developments.
• Facilitate walk-away pricing decisions with senior decision makers.
• Coach and train regional and country teams on Ocean Freight pricing principles.
• Risk & Competitiveness Analysis
• Summarize competitiveness levels and quantify risk exposures.
• Provide fact-based recommendations to support investment decisions and secure management approval.

Skills / Requirements:

• Collaborative mindset with ability to steer and influence cross-functional teams, 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
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented and capable of delivering under time pressure.
• Action-oriented and results-driven.

Qualifications & Key Requirements:

Experience: Minimum 6 years in Ocean Freight forwarding industry. At least 4 years in tender management or pricing leadership roles.

Technical Skills: Deep understanding of RFQ processes and Ocean Freight end-to-end operations. Advanced analytical and conceptual skills; strong Excel proficiency.

Commercial Acumen: Ability to negotiate and influence internally and externally. Strong stakeholder management and customer engagement capabilities.

Other: Excellent English communication skills (written and oral). Ability to work effectively across cultures and regions. International travel (approx. 20%).

Pay Range: $68,722.50 - $91,630.00+ (Based on Experience)