Country Ocean Freight Pricing & Yield Manager

Our client is looking for a proactive and ambitious Pricing and Yield Manager to oversee and develop the pricing department within Sea Logistics Japan. This is a high-impact role where you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop pricing strategies, optimize yields, and manage carrier allocation. You will be responsible for driving volume growth while ensuring profitability and enhancing the customer and employee experiences. Strong negotiation skills, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and a results-oriented mindset are key for success in this position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee Gross Profit, yield management, and allocation for Sea Logistics in Japan, ensuring optimal pricing strategies are executed.
• Work closely with Trade Managers to optimize carrier allocation based on area demand and business needs.
• Develop and implement pricing strategies at trade-lane, client, and area levels to enhance profitability.
• Support Sales teams in client meetings, assisting in pricing decisions, SME RFQ preparation, and strategic development.
• Align and execute pricing strategies for both new and existing customers to maximize profitability.
• Identify low-yield accounts, sell value-added services, and implement seasonal pricing strategies to optimize yield.
• Manage local/regional RFQs and spot pricing requests, ensuring accurate and timely responses.
• Regularly review and analyze pricing pipelines with the Sales team, offering training and expert guidance in sea logistics.
• Drive fast response times from internal teams and overseas pricing units, ensuring prompt pricing and space allocation.
• Actively escalate pricing or space issues when necessary, ensuring swift resolutions.
• Negotiate with carriers to secure the best pricing and capacity terms.

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in business, Marketing, Finance, Sales, Management, or a related field, or relevant work experience.
• Sales experience is highly beneficial.
• Experience in ocean forwarding, shipping lines, or logistics pricing is essential.
• Previous experience in pricing, yield management, and allocation within sea logistics is preferred.
• Understanding of key carriers such as ONE, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA, Expeditors, and Schenker is advantageous.
• Fluency in Japanese and English with strong cultural understanding of both Western and Japanese business environments.
• Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to secure competitive pricing and space allocations.
• Proactive and aggressive approach to problem-solving, with the ability to drive results without needing instructions.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable escalating issues and fighting for the best possible outcomes for the company and customers.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Win ratio for tenders.
• Volume of controlled business won.
• Volume and Gross Profit (GP) for uncontrolled business.
• Responsiveness and timeliness in pricing submissions.
• Attitude and proactive approach to business development.

Personal Attributes:

• Highly ambitious, results-driven, and focused on achieving business goals.
• Strong communicator who thrives in conflict and pushes for quick decisions.
• Able to negotiate assertively and take risks to win business.
• Comfortable with escalations and resolving issues swiftly.