Logistics Manager External

RESPONSIBILITIES & AUTHORITIES Take overall responsibility for all external logistics activities, including imports, exports, re-exports, and cross-trade by air, sea, and road, customs clearance, freight forwarding, and local deliveries, in line with IMSP-30 External Logistics Procedure and JAFZA regulations. • Lead, guide, and supervise the Logistics Coordinator and Logistics Assistant Coordinator; assign daily priorities and monitor performance. • Supervise and monitor the day-to-day tasks carried out by the Logistics Assistant Coordinator to ensure they are completed accurately and on time, as listed below: Driver scheduling, material passes, belt applications, MOFAIC attestations, Zajel customs declaration submissions, BOE submissions, and Dubai Trade customs reports. Air shipment bookings with couriers and freight forwarders, and timely international shipment status updates on the tracking board. Courier and freight forwarder billing for both AIF and AIHT, including export bills, checked against shipments and SAP TM records before processing. Marine insurance for import and export shipments for both AIF and AIHT. Vendor credit applications (CAF) with forwarders and logistics service providers. Petty cash handling and the uploading of invoices and petty cash on Alaan, ensuring receipts are complete, approved, and reconciled. • Identify and recommend new freight forwarders based on market assessment; coordinate with Procurement for registration in the Approved Forwarder List, and evaluate forwarder performance periodically. • Decide the mode of shipment (air, sea, or road) in consultation with Procurement and Project Managers based on urgency, cost, and volume, and award shipments to approved forwarders based on best rates, schedules, and service capability. • Authorise forwarder bookings by email and ensure booking instructions, AWB/B/L details, and shipment documents are accurate and complete. • Negotiate rates and develop strategies with forwarders, shipping lines, airlines, and transporters to streamline processes and reduce freight and logistics costs. • Oversee customs documentation for import, export, re-export, and cross-trade from/to Jebel Ali Free Zone, ensuring compliance with JAFZA, Dubai Customs, and destination-country requirements. • Handle export documentation procedures according to the client's region and destination-country requirements, including commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin; process certificates of origin and document attestation through the Dubai Chamber, preferential certificates of origin (e.g. GCC, GAFTA, CEPA) through the Ministry of Economy, SEPA requirements where applicable, and legalisation through MOFAIC and the relevant embassies or consulates. • Oversee Dubai Trade applications, including Bill of Entry/Exit, Local Goods Entry Pass (LGP), DP World and JAFZA/PCFC gate passes, Out Gate Passes, and exit forms for duty/tax claims. • Own the SAP S/4HANA Transportation Management (TM) process for all incoming shipments: Create Inbound → Create Freight Unit → Create Freight Order → Create Freight Settlement → Create PO, ensuring shipping and freight costs are captured accurately and the total landed cost is calculated for every shipment. • Ensure freight orders and freight settlement documents in SAP TM are created on time and match forwarders' final invoices; resolve cost variances with Accounts before MIGO and MIRO are processed. • Coordinate with Internal Logistics/Stores on shipment arrival, document handover, material inspection, and return of documents for SAP MIGO/MIRO processing. • Track purchase orders and sales orders to plan inbound and outbound freight, meeting the purchasing budget and customer lead times. • Monitor all shipments end to end and provide timely status updates to Procurement, Project Managers, Sales, and customers. • Ensure correct application of Incoterms in purchase and sales orders, and arrange marine/cargo insurance as applicable. JOB SPECIFICATIONS (Requirements) Our operations use SAP S/4HANA as the standard ERP system, with SAP Transportation Management (TM) used to plan and settle freight, capture shipping costs, and calculate the landed cost of incoming shipments. • Strong hands-on knowledge of SAP S/4HANA TM (freight units, freight orders, freight settlement, charge calculation, landed cost) and its integration with SAP MM (PO, MIGO, MIRO). • In-depth knowledge of JAFZA, Dubai Customs, and Dubai Trade procedures, HS code classification, Incoterms 2020, and import/export documentation. • Proven experience managing freight forwarders, 3PL providers, shipping lines, and transporters, with strong negotiation skills. • Good knowledge of air, sea (FCL/LCL), and road freight operations, including dangerous goods and project/oversized cargo. • Financial understanding of logistics budgets, cost control, freight invoice verification, and landed cost analysis. • Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements for loading, transport, and delivery of heavy industrial goods. • Ability to lead a team, work systematically under tight deadlines, and write accurate reports for senior management. • Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. QUALIFICATION Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. • SAP TM / SAP S/4HANA logistics training or certification is an added advantage. • Professional certification in logistics or supply chain (e.g. CILT, CSCP, FIATA Diploma) is an advantage. • Valid UAE driving licence preferred. JOB SPECIFICATIONS (Requirements) Our operations use SAP S/4HANA as the standard ERP system, with SAP Transportation Management (TM) used to plan and settle freight, capture shipping costs, and calculate the landed cost of incoming shipments. Strong hands-on knowledge of SAP S/4HANA TM (freight units, freight orders, freight settlement, charge calculation, landed cost) and its integration with SAP MM (PO, MIGO, MIRO). In-depth knowledge of JAFZA, Dubai Customs, and Dubai Trade procedures, HS code classification, Incoterms 2020, and import/export documentation. Proven experience managing freight forwarders, 3PL providers, shipping lines, and transporters, with strong negotiation skills. Good knowledge of air, sea (FCL/LCL), and road freight operations, including dangerous goods and project/oversized cargo. Financial understanding of logistics budgets, cost control, freight invoice verification, and landed cost analysis. Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements for loading, transport, and delivery of heavy industrial goods. Ability to lead a team, work systematically under tight deadlines, and write accurate reports for senior management. Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. QUALIFICATION Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. SAP TM / SAP S/4HANA logistics training or certification is an added advantage. Professional certification in logistics or supply chain (e.g. CILT, CSCP, FIATA Diploma) is an advantage. Valid UAE driving licence preferred. EXPERIENCE Minimum 5 years of experience in freight forwarding, import/export, or external logistics, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role in the UAE. Hands-on experience with JAFZA free zone customs procedures and Dubai Trade is required. Hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA TM or other SAP logistics modules is preferred. Experience in intralogistics, industrial equipment, engineering, or project cargo is preferred. Experience in a manufacturing company is an advantage.