Logistics Manager - International Freight Forwarding (IFF)

SPIRO · India

Role Profile: Logistics Manager – International Freight Forwarding (IFF)

Location: Pune, India

Reports to: Head – Logistics

About Spiro

SPIRO is a Time 100 Influential Company 2024. Our mission is to accelerate access to affordable, clean energy technology in the mobility sector through excellent customer service and continued agility.

Currently building manufacturing and assembling facilities, SPIRO will be the first company to manufacture e-bikes and batteries in Africa, helping to solve import-export imbalances, unlocking economic growth and sustainable development. SPIRO is the largest EV company in Africa and is uniquely focused on Africa's clean industrialization through e-mobility technologies. Designed around swappable batteries and connected to SPIRO's extensive charging infrastructure, our different motorcycle models deliver clean transport built-for-purpose to address local market challenges.

Role Purpose

The Logistics Manager – International Freight Forwarding (IFF) will lead Spiro's global freight forwarding operations, managing the end-to-end execution of ocean, air, and multimodal shipments from international suppliers to Spiro's manufacturing and assembly facilities across East and West Africa.

The role is responsible for freight procurement, RFQ management, carrier and freight forwarder relationships, shipment execution, freight cost optimization, container demurrage & detention management, logistics compliance, and operational excellence. The incumbent will lead the International Freight Forwarding team while ensuring timely deliveries, cost efficiency, shipment visibility, and continuous process improvement.

Key Accountabilities

International Freight Procurement & Carrier Management

• Lead international freight procurement activities covering ocean, air, road, and multimodal transportation.
• Develop and execute RFQ strategies to ensure competitive pricing and reliable service.
• Evaluate commercial and technical proposals, benchmark freight rates, and recommend carrier selections.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with shipping lines, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, and logistics partners.
• Drive quarterly business reviews and continuous improvement initiatives with logistics partners.

Shipment Planning & Execution

• Manage end-to-end shipment bookings aligned with production schedules and inventory requirements.
• Coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and inspection agencies to ensure seamless cargo movement.
• Ensure timely documentation, booking amendments, cargo loading, vessel departures, and shipment milestone updates.
• Monitor shipment progress from origin through final delivery to manufacturing facilities.

Container Demurrage & Detention Management

• Own the end-to-end monitoring and reduction of demurrage and detention costs across international shipments.
• Maintain daily D&D trackers and proactively manage containers approaching free-time expiry.
• Coordinate with country logistics teams, shipping lines, customs brokers, and transporters to minimize storage-related costs.
• Investigate root causes, validate D&D invoices, and implement preventive actions to eliminate recurring issues.

Freight Cost Management

• Monitor freight spend against budgets and identify cost optimization opportunities.
• Validate freight invoices, resolve billing discrepancies, and support finance during reconciliations.
• Maintain freight savings trackers and analyze logistics cost trends.

Operational Performance & Reporting

• Define, monitor, and improve logistics KPIs including shipment visibility, carrier performance, transit times, customs clearance, and plant deliveries.
• Prepare weekly shipment reports, logistics dashboards, freight spend analysis, RFQ updates, carrier performance reports, and management presentations.
• Drive data-driven decision-making through accurate reporting and operational insights.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with international shipping regulations, Incoterms, customs requirements, dangerous goods regulations (IMDG/IATA), procurement policies, and audit standards.
• Support internal and external logistics audits while maintaining documentation and governance standards.

Process Improvement

• Standardize logistics processes through SOPs, automation initiatives, and workflow optimization.
• Enhance shipment visibility, reporting capabilities, and collaboration with suppliers and logistics partners.
• Drive continuous improvement to improve operational efficiency and reduce logistics costs.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the International Freight Forwarding team.
• Allocate workload, define KPIs, conduct performance reviews, and build succession plans.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence while ensuring business continuity through cross-training.

Experience

• 8–12 years of experience in International Freight Forwarding and Global Logistics.
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing logistics teams.
• Strong expertise in ocean freight operations with exposure to air freight and multimodal transportation.
• Experience managing freight procurement, RFQs, carrier negotiations, and logistics service providers.
• Experience working with shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and international suppliers.
• Experience across East and West African logistics corridors is highly desirable.

Capabilities

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent procurement and negotiation capabilities.
• Strong commercial acumen with focus on logistics cost optimization.
• Expertise in shipment planning, execution, and operational risk management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• High attention to detail with strong execution capabilities.
• Ability to drive process improvements and operational excellence.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, International Business, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CILT, APICS/ASCM, FIATA Diploma , or equivalent will be an added advantage.
• Project Management certification is desirable.

Technical Knowledge

• International Ocean Freight
• Air Freight & Multimodal Transportation
• Freight Procurement & RFQ Management
• Carrier & Freight Forwarder Management
• NVOCC Operations
• Shipping Documentation
• Import & Export Operations
• Incoterms 2020
• Customs Clearance Processes
• Freight Cost Analysis
• Shipment Tracking & Visibility
• ERP/TMS Platforms
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Power BI or similar reporting tools (preferred)