Ocean Freight Route Development Manager – DHL – Mississauga, ON

DHL Global Forwarding is looking for a seasoned Ocean Freight Route Development Manager to join their team in Mississauga, Ontario. This is a senior commercial role at the heart of DHL’s ocean freight growth strategy, ideal for a driven professional with deep roots in freight forwarding and a track record of turning market opportunity into real volume and revenue.

In this position, you’ll sit at the intersection of trade strategy, commercial development, and carrier relationships — working closely with local sales leadership, regional stakeholders, and global route development counterparts to build and execute plans that move the needle. If you thrive in a complex, cross-functional environment and know how to bring others along with you, this role was built for you.

About the Role: Ocean Freight Route Development Manager

As the Ocean Freight Route Development Manager, you’ll lead the strategic growth across all ocean products — FCL, LCL, Bulk, and Reefer — within your assigned trades. You’ll define the commercial focus areas for local sales teams, develop differentiated go-to-market strategies, and personally engage in high-impact customer opportunities. This is not a back-office role; you’ll be front and centre with customers, carriers, and senior leadership alike.

Beyond the customer-facing work, you’ll own the annual trade development program — from must-win RFQs and investment proposals to performance tracking and cross-functional alignment. You’ll also hold final pricing authority on assigned trades for both local and global tenders, making decisions that balance strategic positioning, profitability, and long-term growth.

Benefits and Salary

This role offers a base salary between CAD $90,000 and $120,000, complemented by an incentive component and full benefits package. DHL Global Forwarding is a globally recognized employer with strong opportunities for career development within an international logistics network.

Responsibilities

The Ocean Freight Route Development Manager carries a broad mandate that spans commercial strategy, pipeline governance, carrier relations, and cross-functional leadership. Every day brings a mix of big-picture planning and hands-on execution — you’ll be as comfortable in a boardroom presenting to executives as you are in the weeds of an RFQ or a carrier negotiation.

• Lead strategic growth across all ocean products (FCL, LCL, Bulk, Reefer) within assigned trades, driving the country ocean growth plan in partnership with local OFR and Sales leadership
• Define commercial focus areas for local sales teams, including target customer profiles, priority commodities, and industry segments
• Develop go-to-market strategies at the country level, ensuring data-driven customer targeting and compelling value propositions
• Own the annual trade development program, including strategic sales campaigns, must-win RFQs, investment proposals, and performance tracking
• Engage directly with key customers, supporting win strategies, pricing approaches, and joint customer meetings with Sales to convert strategic opportunities
• Ensure ship-to-profile realization by tracking customer wins and confirming that secured business translates into actual volumes and revenue
• Maintain deep engagement with Trade Management to understand market shifts, procurement conditions, and pricing competitiveness
• Drive global collaboration with overseas Route Development Managers to ensure cohesive execution of trade plans across priority regions
• Build senior-level carrier relationships and engage in local procurement activities aligned with trade strategy
• Hold final pricing authority on assigned trades for both local and global tenders and quote requests

Requirements / Skills

The ideal candidate brings more than six years of experience in freight forwarding or a related logistics field, with demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and develop trust-based relationships at senior levels. Commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills are as important here as technical product knowledge.

• Ocean freight product knowledge across FCL, LCL, Bulk, and Reefer — hands-on experience is essential
• Market analysis and capacity management skills, with experience in internal rate management, RFQ processes, and purchasing
• Financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and understanding of P&L drivers
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capability for data-driven decision-making and reporting
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills — ability to persuade subject matter experts and senior leaders to adopt new approaches
• Project and change management experience, with a background directing work, managing programs, and coaching professionals
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with fluency in English (plus local language as applicable)

How to Apply

To apply, visit the official DHL Global Forwarding job posting using the link below. Make sure your resume is up to date and reflects your ocean freight and commercial development experience before submitting.

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