Procurement Manager-Ocean

C.H. Robinson is seeking an Ocean Procurement Manager to join our Global Forwarding division. In the role, you will coordinate with various teams to support ocean freight services and products, ensuring they meet customer needs. This role involves working alongside a team to liaise with ocean carriers for procuring rates and space for specific trade lanes. You will analyze market trends, prepare reports, and participate in customer presentations to help grow the business.

At C.H. Robinson, we believe that in-person collaboration is key to driving innovation and achieving success. In this role, you will work on-site with your peers five days a week, fostering creativity and producing impactful results through face-to-face interactions. Experience the full benefits of teamwork and immediate collaboration in a vibrant and engaging workplace.

Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of this position consists of, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Strategically oversee and manage expectations and relationships with both internal and external customers, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • Document scope, communications, and expectations comprehensively, providing clear and actionable insights.
  • Work closely with senior leadership, including the Manager of Procurement and key customer stakeholders, to drive success.
  • Provide strategic support to other departments, particularly sales and account management, to enhance overall organizational performance.
  • Conduct advanced benchmarking activities to support and exceed goals, leveraging industry best practices.
  • Maintain and expand a robust internal network of relationships, particularly with subject matter experts, to drive innovation and excellence.
  • Continuously evolve and enhance group methodologies, tools, techniques, infrastructure, and presentations to stay ahead of industry trends.

Ocean Freight Management:

  • Collaborate with commercial teams across regions to support the agreed ocean freight business plan
  • Secure competitive freight rates and ensure sufficient weekly/monthly space on required lanes.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key contacts within shipping lines.
  • Oversee rate contract management and filing processes.
  • Audit BPO team to ensure they do accurate filing of rates into the freight contract management system.
  • Manage weekly/monthly space allocations with shipping lines.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between the company and shipping lines to resolve service issues.
  • Act as the subject matter expert for ocean freight products, supporting commercial teams and participating in joint calls with key accounts.
  • Collaborate with commercial teams to achieve specific volume and AGP targets.
  • Support in regional RFQ teams with buying and sell rates for bids
  • Managing shipping line contract period/annual volume commitments
  • Other duties or responsibilities as assigned according to the team and/or country specific requirements

Required Qualifications:

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 6 years of previous ocean procurement or transportation experience
  • Ability to work flexible schedule on occasion, some night and weekend hours may be required
  • Ability to travel up to 5% (domestically and/or internationally)/Expected travel for 2 events per year

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred:

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite of programs
  • Strong negotiation skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to speak language, eg. Chinese in Asia.
  • Demonstrated evidence of documentation skill
  • Excellent formal and informal presentation skills
  • Embrace teamwork and a team environment
  • Significant experience communicating to C, V and D level customer roles
  • Facilitate meetings with internal and external C, V and D level roles
  • Demonstrated ability to lead by influence and expertise
  • Demonstrated change management experience
  • Demonstrated quality review experience o Commitment to personal development
  • Demonstrated significant analytical skills
  • Six Sigma, CSCP and process improvement experience
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Values a diverse and inclusive work environment

Equal Opportunity

C.H. Robinson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a workplace and performance culture that reflects the strengths of our worldwide marketplace. We value unique experiences and diverse backgrounds of our people within our company, our business relationships, and our communities. We’re committed to providing an inclusive environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees feel welcomed, valued and respected.

Your Health, Wealth and Self
Your total wellbeing is the foundation of our business, and our benefits support your financial, family and personal goals. We provide additional company benefits plan that matter to you most, including life and medical insurance/ Critical illness, accident death and disability Insurance, Paid time off (PTO), Paid Sick Leave, Holiday Allowance and among others, the opportunity to prosper in a Fortune 500 company.