Neptune Pacific Direct Line (NPDL) is experiencing a period of significant transformation. Formed in 2020, Neptune Pacific Line acquired Pacific Direct Line, bringing together two of the South Pacific’s top shipping and logistics companies to support the full supply chain of our customers in the region. NPDL is part of The Wonderful Company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Its other companies include FIJI Water, Justin and Landmark Vineyards, Vintage Nurseries, Wonderful Citrus, Wonderful Pistachios, Teleflora, POM Wonderful and Suterra.

We have an exciting opportunity for a General Manager – Group Trade, who represents a pinnacle of leadership at NPDL Group. You'll shape Liner division's EBITDA performance with strategic pricing, closely collaborating with Sales, Operations, and Logistics. You will optimize yields and pursue market share while maintaining paramount customer relationships. Your role also includes monitoring quarterly market intelligence KPIs, managing capacity decisions, and ensuring vessel utilization. You'll support the General Manager, Liner Division in stakeholder relations, uphold obligations, and lead international trade teams, fostering unwavering accountability.

What you will be doing:

Pricing & Yield and Growth

• Driving yield optimization through strategic pricing, balancing contracts and spot rates to target high-value cargo and customer segments.
• Proposing innovative tactics for boosting market share and enhancing shipping product yields and leveraging expert commercial acumen for timely decision-making.
• Supporting the sales team with research and analysis to aid negotiations, collaborating closely with General Manager, Group Sales.
• Ensuring efficient management of contracts, tenders, and tariffs, in alignment with GM Group Sales.
• Managing tariff maintenance, statutory filings, and FMC compliance requirements.

Trade and Product

• Analyzing competitor actions, vessel deployments, and trade capacities to uncover opportunities for maximizing our competitive edge.
• Regularly updating and maintaining accurate competitor capacity and activity data.
• Driving trade optimization, cross-trades, and market share enhancement.
• Negotiating slot purchases with third-party carriers and managing capacity agreements.
• Leading cargo routing decisions, balancing customer interests and cost-effectiveness through operational planning and the maintenance of comprehensive vessel and trade utilization data.
• Creating and updating communication for website publication and tender submissions.
• Overseeing container demand forecasting and ensure timely accuracy for optimal logistics inventory management and imbalance resolution.
• Staying updated on industry trends, the competitive landscape, and client needs, actively representing NPDL at industry conferences and networking events.
• Fostering and managing long-term strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including supporting the GM Liner in network management planning.
• Developing and implementing growth strategies, including the exploration of new trade routes and markets.

Budgets

• Driving trade budget formulation and performance evaluations.
• Quantifying budgeted risks and uncovering opportunities.
• Conducting regular performance reviews, comparing actual results with the budget and initiating reforecasts.
• Promoting a culture of continuous improvement in budget performance, encouraging proactive solutions.

Leadership duties and responsibilities

• Inspiring, mentoring and nurturing the team's growth, fostering vision, direction, and accountability.
• Elevating performance standards and drive continuous improvement in Liner Division's KPIs.
• Cultivating effective leadership, emphasizing ongoing learning and a culture of personal development.
• Recruit top talent, offer growth opportunities, and provide coaching to employees.

This role is a pivotal one – it is a fulltime, permanent role based in our Parnell office.  Whilst this role is based in Auckland, we would also welcome applications from Australia. There will be regular travel to the Pacific Islands and Singapore. As you have worked in shipping in the past, you will know a level of flexibility is required at times to work extended hours including weekends, afterhours and public holidays as needed to meet business needs. We are looking for someone to own the role and really take control of our continued growth in this area. 

Here’s what you’ll bring to the table:

• A sound understanding of shipping/logistics price dynamics (shipping experience is essential).
• Over a decade of senior-level trade management experience and leadership experience.
• Experience in Trans-Tasman and/or USA trades would be advantageous.
• Experience with Cargowise is essential.
• A current, valid clean Full Drivers licence.
• Highly proficient in analytics and in Microsoft Office suite (especially Excel and PowerPoint).
• International mindset with a track record of cross-cultural work, particularly in the Pacific Islands.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent senior-level business experience required.
• Capability to work strategically and tactically to fulfill organizational needs.
• Outstanding negotiation, networking, and influencing abilities.

We are looking for a highly emotionally intelligent leader with exceptional interpersonal skills.  You will possess advanced business acumen encompassing people, relationship, and financial management. In addition, you will be an excellent verbal and written communicator with an ability to present persuasively to all levels of the organization.

You will have the right to live and work in New Zealand at the time of applying. The successful candidate may be subject to undergo a Police Check and/or Pre-Employment Drug Test.

Our NPDL Contribution:

• Competitive benefits package (salary plus bonus)
• Hybrid working model
• Opportunity for development and internal mobility
• Wonderful Giving (wonderfulgiving.com) - allowing you to donate company money to a cause of your choice
• Project Wonderful - Staff spend a day in the community helping with various projects
• Company focused on wellness and health

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for the shipping industry and a track record of success, then apply now!

#LI-LM1 #LI-Hybrid

EEO is the law - click here for more information