Head of Logistics – Rate Procurement & Operations

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing logistics technology company, is looking for a Head of Logistics / Rate Procurement & Operations to take ownership of the supply side of the business.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an experienced ocean freight professional who can combine rate procurement, carrier/NVOCC relationships and operational execution with the ability to help shape a technology-driven logistics platform.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own end-to-end ocean freight rate procurement across the India-UAE FCL corridor and future markets.
• Build and manage relationships with NVOCCs, regional carriers and other rate sources.
• Negotiate competitive spot rates, contracts, special agreements and surcharges.
• Monitor market pricing, capacity, transit times and carrier activity.
• Lead the rate procurement and operations desk and build the team as the business scales.
• Act as the senior escalation point for operational and customer issues.
• Work closely with Product & Technology to improve the AI-powered quoting and booking platform.
• Validate automated quotes against live market conditions and provide industry insight to improve the platform.
• Support commercial growth and key accounts during the company’s early-stage expansion.

Ideal Profile:

• 5+ years of hands-on ocean freight/FCL experience within forwarding, NVOCC or carrier environments.
• Strong knowledge of the India-UAE trade lane.
• Established relationships with NVOCCs and regional carriers across India and/or the UAE/GCC.
• Proven experience personally sourcing and negotiating ocean freight rates.
• Strong understanding of spot vs. contract rates, surcharges, allocations and transit times.
• Experience running a freight desk, branch or similar operation independently.
• Strong commercial judgement combined with detailed operational knowledge.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and remaining hands-on.
• Experience with CargoWise, Freightos or similar platforms is an advantage.
• Hindi or Arabic is a plus.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join an early-stage logistics technology business and play a key role in building its rate procurement and operational capabilities.

You will work directly with the CEO/founders and Product & Technology teams, helping shape how AI and real-world freight expertise come together to improve pricing, booking and customer experience.

Start: ASAP
Compensation: Competitive base + KPI-based bonus

Salt is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.