Ocean Service Manager

“We’re not in the shipping business; we’re in the information business” -Peter Rose, Expeditors Founder

Global supply chain management is what we do, but at the heart of Expeditors you will find professionalism, leadership, and a friendly environment, all of which foster an innovative, customer service-based approach to logistics.

• 19,000 trained professionals
• 350+ locations worldwide
• Fortune 500
• Globally unified systems.

The Expeditors MAA branch is a cornerstone district in our network. It is a large branch with consistent growth across all aspects of our business. The MAA branch has a strong history of developing high-performing talent for the organization. MAA was awarded the Global District of the Year in 2015—one of the most prestigious awards in our company. Like every Expeditors office, the MAA branch is people-first, delivers exceptional customer service, and maintains high operational standards. We take care of our employees, and they take care of our customers.

The MAA region covers Tamil Nadu, a high-potential growth market with a wide range of industrial verticals and strong global trade activity. The region’s key strengths include four active ports, a major South India air gateway, and well-connected road networks—enabling a broad range of supply chain solutions to serve customers efficiently.

Our Mission

We recruit, train, and retain the very best logistics and technical experts the world over. We love to promote from within - more than 50 percent of our employees have been at Expeditors for five years or more. Our high retention rate is influenced by a unique compensation program for positions that are more than just jobs - they're chances to grow, do what you love and build a career with us!

Position Overview

We are looking for an Ocean Services Manager to lead and further develop our Ocean product in Chennai. The successful candidate will manage ocean operations, strengthen service execution, develop people, support sales and customer retention, improve financial performance, and promote a strong culture of compliance and operational excellence.

This role requires strong ocean freight knowledge, hands-on leadership, market awareness, customer focus, and the ability to work with carriers, service providers, customers, and internal teams.

Key Responsibilities

People Leadership

• Identify, develop, and mentor the department No. 2 and future leaders.
• Ensure team members have clear job descriptions, expectations, goals, and development plans.
• Complete timely performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Maintain team engagement through goal setting, monitoring, interviews, and monthly department reviews.
• Ensure staff meet company standards and complete required product, leadership, and annual training.

Ocean Operations and Service Execution

• Lead the Ocean product locally with focus on operations, customer service, finance, sales, people, systems, and culture.
• Create and maintain a department structure designed for flexibility and growth.
• Prepare, execute, monitor, and update the department business plan at regular intervals.
• Monitor and improve productivity indicators including SPD, RPD, EPD, RPS, and revenue-to-expense ratio.
• Ensure operational reports are used at the right frequency, including BI reports, Shipment Transit Log, Shipment Summary, and Workflow Monitor.
• Build strong working relationships with shipping lines, trucking companies, consolidators, and other service providers.
• Evaluate vendors at defined intervals, with corrective action plans where needed.

Customer, Sales Support, and Market Development

• Actively support business opportunities through account management and customer retention activities.
• Complete five sales calls per week and ensure they are documented in CRM.
• Ensure customer reviews are completed with regular customers.
• Provide pricing alternatives, routing solutions, and technical assistance to customers and internal sales teams.
• Respond to RFPs, quotations, and customer information requests in a timely and competitive manner.
• Take an active role in new business transition and updates to existing business.

Business and Revenue Stream Development

• Support business development plans and participate in sales calls and strategy discussions with regional and senior teams.
• Engage with the network to support business decisions and strengthen relationships.
• Build carrier relationships for service support, market intelligence, and potential growth opportunities.
• Partner with Pricing Manager, carriers, consolidators, and service providers for pricing decisions.
• Bring ocean market intelligence into sales meetings, team meetings, and customer meetings.

Financial Discipline

• Assist the Branch Manager with the annual department budget.
• Review department P&L, productivity results, and goals every month.
• Understand and improve department freight yields.
• Review Daily Branch Revenue reports and key financial indicators.
• Ensure contracts are reviewed according to company contract policies before signature.
• Follow company CAPEX procedures for department equipment purchases.
• Use Top 20 Accounts reporting to evaluate retention base and balanced revenue distribution.

Compliance, Systems, and Culture

• Promote compliance with company policies, Operational Process Standards, and applicable regulations.
• Maintain positive working relationships with Trade Compliance and support compliance trainings.
• Be open to system changes and enhancements, and suggest process improvements.
• Promote Expeditors cultural attributes including appearance, attitude, confidence, curiosity, excellence, integrity, pride, resolute, sense of humor, and visionary thinking.

• University degree or equivalent business qualification.
• Minimum 7 years of logistics, freight forwarding, or relevant industry experience.
• Minimum 3 years of team management experience.
• Strong ocean freight, market, service provider, and competition knowledge.
• Proven leadership, negotiation, problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Strong customer service mindset and ability to support sales and retention activities.
• Good analytical ability and understanding of operational and financial reports.
• Good computer skills, including MS Excel and MS Word.
• Fluent in English.

Preferred Skills

• Experience managing ocean import operations or an ocean product team.
• Ability to build strong carrier, consolidator, service provider, and customer relationships.
• Experience with business planning, performance reviews, productivity measures, and P&L reviews.
• Strong focus on compliance, operational controls, and process improvement.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop future leaders.
• Experience working in a global logistics environment.

Reporting Structure:

This position reports to

• Branch Manager.

Job Location:Chennai

Expeditors offers excellent benefits:

• Professional and collaborative work environment.
• Training and leadership development opportunities.
• Career growth within a global logistics organization.
• Exposure to international ocean freight, customer solutions, service providers, and global network collaboration.
• Competitive benefits as per company policy.