As the Manager Trade Steering, you will play a pivotal role in driving and executing sales strategies that align with Hapag-Lloyd’s growth objectives in the Area. You will oversee sales performance, coordinate with local and global teams, and ensure that our offerings meet the unique needs of the market. This role requires a forward-thinking individual who can navigate the challenges and opportunities of a diverse and developing market to drive profitability and market share.
- Develop volume/revenue budgets and forecasts; monitor overall performance of accounts.
- Steer sales staff to achieve attractive business based on equipment imbalances and target accounts/commodities.
- Segment market to define the most profitable customer and product mix.
- Support campaign development in alignment with trade management and pricing.
- Identify underperforming areas/customers/commodities and define corrective actions.
- Cross-functional collaboration with Trade Management, Operations, and Equipment teams
- Digital transformation initiatives and system optimization
- Educational Background: A degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, Logistics, or related fields.
- Experience: At least 10-12 years of experience in sales steering, business development, or commercial management within the logistics, shipping, or freight forwarding industries, with a strong focus on Africa.
- Proven leadership skills and experience in managing cross-functional teams.
- Expertise in sales performance analysis and strategic planning.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).
- Ability to navigate complex and diverse African markets, understanding regional variations in business practices and customer expectations.
- Language Skills: Fluency in English is required; knowledge of additional languages (e.g., French, Arabic, Portuguese) would be a plus.
- Cultural Awareness: A deep understanding of African markets, cultures, and business dynamics is essential, with the ability to tailor solutions and strategies to meet regional needs.
- Container shipping industry expertise specific to liner operations
- Advanced analytics and BI tools beyond QlikSense
With a fleet of 313 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 2.5 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies. In the Liner Shipping segment, the Company has around 14,000 employees and 400 offices in 140 countries. Hapag-Lloyd has a container capacity of 3.7 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. A total of 133 liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports on all the continents. In the Terminal & Infrastructure segment, Hapag-Lloyd has equity stakes in 21 terminals in Europe, Latin America, the United States, India and North Africa. Around 3,000 employees are assigned to the Terminal & Infrastructure segment and provide complementary logistics services at selected locations in addition to the terminal activities.
