Commercial Director Air & Ocean Freight

About the role

Our client, a globally established freight forwarding and logistics business, is expanding its presence in the Middle East. They are seeking a Commercial Director to lead the Air and Ocean Freight business in Dubai, with full commercial ownership and responsibility for revenue growth and customer relationships.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute the commercial strategy for Air and Ocean Freight across the UAE and the 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 and maintain strong relationships with regional and global customers, including multinational accounts.
• Own pricing strategy, tenders and contract negotiations for air and ocean freight solutions.
• Partner with operations, product and finance teams to deliver customer‑centric, competitive solutions.
• Monitor market trends, customer demands and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Represent the business with key stakeholders, partners and at industry events.

Required profile

• Senior commercial leadership experience within air and ocean freight forwarding.
• Proven track record of driving growth in international logistics markets, preferably in 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 ability.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, performance‑driven environment.

Required skills