Country Airfreight Product Leader - France

The Country Airfreight Product Manager holds end-to-end responsibility for directing, coordinating, and operating the entire air freight product portfolio across the country. This role ensures operational efficiency, service excellence, continuous profitability optimization, and strategic alignment between commercial targets and execution.

The position leads through guidance, structured personnel development, and open communication to drive best-in-class operational performance, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the overarching air freight product strategy for the target country market.
• Drive procurement excellence and manage service providers to ensure top-tier service delivery.
• Oversee high-quality, competitive responses to RFQs and RFIs.
• Ensure fully compliant operations across all product lines.

Operations & Execution

• Develop, execute, and regularly update the tactical business and operational plans to hit country business objectives.
• Drive operational efficiency, continuous process improvements, and process re-engineering to boost performance and yield.
• Support and guide local sales and operations teams, optimizing cooperation with key origins and major gateway hubs.
• Build and nurture strong local relationships with air carriers, key vendors, and local authorities.
• Monitor departmental productivity metrics, track data integrity KPIs, and manage exceptional operational incidents with root-cause investigation and corrective actions.
• Champion digitalization initiatives, trade knowledge acquisition, and modern technology integration to streamline workflow processes.

Commercial & Customer Centricity

• Actively partner with sales teams to support customer acquisition and account retention strategies.
• Conduct 8-10 dedicated sales or retention client meetings per month.
• Serve as the primary executive sponsor for at least 2 key customer accounts to expand multi-product opportunities.
• Proactively provide market-competitive pricing strategies, alternate routing options, and technical air freight solutions.

Financial and P&L Oversight

• Conduct monthly reviews of the regional air freight P&L, yield results, and financial productivity metrics.
• Ensure achievement of planned product net revenue and financial targets.
• Guide operational and sales teams in developing aligned, cost-effective tactical plans.

People Management & Team Development

• Identify, coach, and develop team members, ensuring clear role descriptions, performance expectations, and structured development plans.
• Deliver relevant market, operational, and product training to sales and operations staff.
• Lead annual performance appraisals and foster a culture of integrity, transparent communication, and high engagement.

Compliance, Systems & Culture

• Model strict adherence to all organizational standards, statutory requirements, and ethical guidelines.
• Proactively communicate compliance updates and lead regular training initiatives.
• Lead the implementation of new systems, digital tools, and software enhancements within the air freight division.
• Generic Standards: Detail-oriented, results-driven, highly customer-centric, and self-motivated with a proactive approach. Strong interpersonal skills, high integrity, ability to perform under pressure, and effective cross-cultural collaboration.
• Functional Standards: Strong analytical and organizational capabilities, expert shipment prioritization skills, proficiency in computer systems and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.), and fluent written and spoken English.

Performance Indicators (KPIs) & Key Interfaces

Key Performance Indicators:

• On-Time In-Full (OTIF) execution across customs and air freight operations.
• Timeliness and competitiveness of customer rate proposals.
• On-time and accurate customer updates and invoicing cycles.
• Departmental productivity, data integrity KPIs, and net revenue/yield achievements.

Key Interfaces:

• Internal: Airfreight Operations, Product Owners, Sales, Finance/Accounting, Legal & Compliance, Customs Operations.
• External: Customers, Ground Handling Agents (GHAs), Air Carriers/Airlines, Customs & Regulatory Authorities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or an equivalent field. IATA / FIATA introductory certification is preferred.
• Professional Experience: Minimum 8 years of deep expertise in the air freight sector, combining strong operational knowledge with commercial capability.
• Leadership Experience: 3 to 5 years of proven leadership or managerial experience.
• Market Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the European air freight landscape (specifically French market).
• Languages: Full professional fluency in English (verbal and written).