Sales & Operations Manager - Freight Forwarding & Logistics

Our client is a privately owned freight forwarding and logistics organisation based in Dubai.

We are hiring a UAE experienced Sales & Operations Manager from the UAE freight forwarding industry to drive profitable revenue growth while maintaining tight operational control across freight forwarding and logistics operations in the UAE and key trade lanes. This role combines commercial leadership, operational accountability, and people management.

Role Overview

• Drive new business and grow key accounts across freight forwarding, logistics, and value-added services, with a clear focus on margin and profit, not volume.
• Own pricing, quotations, tenders, and contract negotiations to protect profitability.
• Build and manage a disciplined sales pipeline with accurate forecasting and performance visibility.
• Oversee end-to-end Air, Sea, and Land freight operations, ensuring compliant, cost-effective, on-time execution.
• Enforce SOPs, service standards, and KPIs to reduce errors, delays, and cost leakage.
• Act as the senior escalation point for operational and customer issues.
• Lead and performance-manage sales and operations teams, setting clear targets, accountability, and achieving results.
• Build a commercially focused, performance-driven team through continuous productivity and process improvement and a results-driven culture.

Mandatory Requirements

• 10+ years’ experience in sales leadership and operational management within a UAE freight forwarding or logistics environment.
• Strong knowledge of UAE customs regulations, trade compliance, and local market dynamics.
• Strong pricing, costing, margin management, and contract negotiation capability with proven ability to grow revenue whilst protecting margins.
• Strong leadership in building and growing cross-functional sales and operations teams.
• Proficient in freight management systems and CRM tools, with a data-driven approach.

Candidate Profile

• Currently based in the UAE - candidates outside the UAE will not be considered.
• Fluent in English and confident managing senior client negotiations and escalations.
• Credible leadership presence — commercially minded, decisive, structured and accountable.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree