Head of Air Freight – North America
Head of Air Freight – North America
Permanent
Air & Ocean
+1 (905) 6719858
Your Benefits
Air & Ocean
+1 (905) 6719858
Job Description
What you can expect
Air Product Strategy & Performance
- Define and execute the North America air freight strategy in line with global objectives and market conditions
- Driving volume growth, yield improvement, and overall profitability
- Lead capacity planning across gateways and trade lanes, including consolidations and airline agreements
- Build and develop a high-performing Air Product team with a strong focus on accountability and results.
Airline & Procurement Management
- Establish and manage strategic relationships with key airline partners at regional and global levels
- Drive competitive pricing, capacity agreements, and procurement strategies across the region
- Implement structured carrier performance management, including KPIs and regular reviews
- Act as the senior escalation point for airline-related operational and commercial issues.
Commercial Enablement & Growth
- Partner closely with Sales and Key Account teams to support strategic customers, tenders, and growth initiatives
- Contribute to commercial strategy through targeted trade lane focus, product positioning, and solution development
- Support customer engagement at senior levels to strengthen relationships and win new business.
Operations & Execution Support
- Align with country and regional leadership to ensure consistent execution across operations and product teams
- Support resolution of complex operational challenges impacting service, cost, or performance.
Leadership & Governance
- Serve as a key member of the regional leadership team, providing strategic direction and market insight
- Monitor performance across volume, yield, and service quality to ensure sustainable growth
- Ensure alignment with global air freight policies, standards, and best practices.
What you bring
- 15+ years of experience in air freight forwarding, including at least 8–10 years in an air product leadership role with exposure to both operations and commercial strategy
- Proven leadership track record, including building and developing high-performing teams, driving accountability, and managing across multiple locations
- Deep understanding of air freight market dynamics, including capacity constraints, airline networks, pricing volatility, and gateway operations
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance yield, volume, and service performance in a competitive market
- Customer-focused mindset with experience supporting strategic accounts and aligning product strategy to client needs
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, volatile environment, adapting quickly to market shifts and capacity changes
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, airline partners, and key customers
- Advanced analytical and negotiation skills, particularly in high-value and capacity-constrained environments
- Results-driven, with a track record of delivering growth, improving margins, and strengthening product performance
- Fluent in English, both written and verbal; additional languages are an asset
- Willingness to travel as required to support regional operations, customers, and airline partners.
Business Unit
Air & Ocean
Regardless of whether it is a long-distance shipment or a particularly time-critical shipment, we at Rhenus make everything possible for our customers and partners to get the goods to their destination safely and on time. Our particular strength lies in our global network, which is constantly being maintained and expanded. As part of Rhenus Air & Ocean you can, therefore, expect to find a whole host of exciting tasks all over the world, a wide range of opportunities for personal development, and the chance to take on responsibility in an international working environment.
Welcome to Rhenus
Where our journey of growth connects with yours.
We are a global powerhouse on a mission to be pioneers in everything we do. United, we make an impact and dare to redefine what's possible. Ready to unlock untapped potential. We are on the fast track. At Rhenus, we thrive on collaboration. Every voice is heard, and every idea is valued. We stand as one global team. Where everyone contributes to our success. Together, we shape the future of logistics and beyond. Empowered by you.