Business Manager - Freight | Al-Futtaim Logistics

Business Sector Manager - Freight | Al-Futtaim Logistics | Riyadh

Al-Futtaim Group, established in the 1930s, is a diversified, privately‑held regional company headquartered in Dubai, UAE, with more than 35,000 employees across over 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The group operates through five divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare, and partners with over 200 of the world’s most respected brands.

Manage and drive the growth and profitability of Freight Management across Air, Sea, Multimodal Transport, and Special Logistics, including Aerospace and Food & Beverage, through strong leadership, high employee engagement, and effective key customer interaction across the Kingdom. The role holds full ownership of the operational and financial performance of the region, while also leading the development and expansion of the Oil & Gas vertical within the KSA.

• Be fully accountable for the overall growth, profitability, and P&L performance of the Business Unit.
• Lead and manage all operational processes, assets, risks, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as the primary representative of the BU with customers, government authorities, senior management, and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and expand Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Food & Beverage, and other specialized logistics verticals in KSA.
• Strengthen and grow Al‑Futtaim Group business while acquiring new third‑party customers across the Kingdom.
• Negotiate rates, SLAs, and contracts within delegated authority and ensure signed customer SLAs are in place.
• Establish bonded transport and cross‑border logistics platforms between UAE and KSA.
• Own budgeting, cost control, operating plans, and monthly KPI and financial reporting.
• Identify market trends, risks, opportunities, and strategic partnerships to support sustainable growth.
• Ensure compliance with government regulations, customs, port authorities, and international agents.
• Maintain strong customer and supplier relationships through effective Key Account Management.
• Drive operational excellence through SOP development, lean structures, and process optimization.
• Build, lead, and engage high‑performing teams with clear performance management and feedback.
• Ensure talent development, succession planning, internal promotions, and training aligned to business needs.
• Foster a productive, compliant, and people‑centric work environment to minimize turnover and maximize morale.
• Collaborate closely with UAE Freight Management on HR, operations, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop new business opportunities, projects, and solutions to deliver sustainable revenue and margin growth.
• Act as the single point of contact for BU contracts to ensure seamless end‑to‑end service delivery.

• Proven ability to manage large‑scale freight operations efficiently.
• Expertise in handling high‑value bids, RFQs, and complex commercial negotiations.
• Strong negotiation skills with carriers and agents to drive retention and improve hit ratios.
• In‑depth knowledge of Aerospace, Pharma, Food Logistics, and specialized freight solutions.

This role reports to the General Manager – MENA and leads a dedicated team while collaborating closely with senior logistics leadership in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.

• Postgraduate degree, preferably in Business Management or Supply Chain Management.
• Minimum 10 years of managerial experience in Freight and Local Services Management within KSA.
• Strong knowledge of GCC road networks, international documentation, freight operations, fleet management, relocations, routing, and scheduling.
• A customer‑centric mindset with a strong focus on execution excellence, integrity, quality, and compliance.