Route Development Manager – DHL Global Forwarding – Mississauga, ON
Location: Mississauga, ON | Company: DHL
DHL Global Forwarding is seeking a strategic and analytically driven Route Development Manager to join their team in Mississauga, Ontario. As part of Deutsche Post DHL — the world’s leading logistics provider operating in over 220 countries — this is a high-impact role for a seasoned logistics professional ready to shape Ocean Freight trade lane strategy at a global scale.
This position sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, network optimization, and cross-functional leadership. You’ll drive profitable growth by identifying and executing route opportunities, aligning Sales, Pricing, Carrier Management, and Gateway Operations teams around data-driven decisions that protect margins and elevate service performance.
About the Role: Route Development Manager
As the Route Development Manager, you’ll lead the Route Development Management (RDM) agenda for assigned regions, countries, or trade lanes. Your primary mandate is to define and execute trade lane strategies — from opportunity identification to performance governance — ensuring every route decision is backed by robust analytics and aligned with business objectives. This is a pivotal role that requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution capability.
The role demands close cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Pricing, Supplier and Carrier Management, Gateway Operations, and Business Intelligence teams. You’ll serve as the primary point of contact for strategic RFQs, tenders, and major customer pursuits, while also mentoring route development specialists and championing digital-first working methods across the organization.
Benefits and Salary
DHL Global Forwarding offers a competitive compensation package for this role. The base salary ranges from CAD $90,000 to $110,000, complemented by a 15% performance bonus and a comprehensive full benefits package. This reflects the seniority and strategic importance of the position within the organization.
Job Details
📌 Job Type: Full-Time
🏢 Company: DHL Global Forwarding
📍 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (YYZ)
💰 Pay: CAD $90,000–$110,000 base salary + 15% Bonus + Full Benefits
Responsibilities
The Route Development Manager carries a broad mandate across strategy, analytics, commercial support, and stakeholder alignment. Day-to-day, you’ll be balancing trade lane analysis with governance reporting, RFQ support, and capability building — all while ensuring that route strategies translate into measurable revenue growth and margin protection.
- Lead the RDM agenda for assigned regions and trade lanes, defining route opportunity roadmaps and portfolio strategies aligned with business objectives
- Conduct advanced trade lane analysis using market intelligence, customer demand trends, carrier capacity, gateway capabilities, and competitive benchmarks
- Analyze route performance indicators including conversion rates, gross profit per file, capacity utilization, consolidation ratios, and transit time reliability
- Support strategic RFQs and tenders by preparing comprehensive lane opportunity assessments covering market demand, carrier dependencies, GP analysis, and service feasibility
- Develop and maintain route development dashboards, scorecards, databases, and performance reporting tools
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Pricing, Carrier Management, Gateway Operations, Product, Finance, and Customer Operations teams to ensure operational alignment
- Identify and escalate structural route issues such as margin erosion, capacity constraints, routing instability, and system gaps
- Mentor and coach route development specialists and cross-functional stakeholders to build analytical capability across the team
- Build stakeholder partnerships with regional and global leadership, influencing decisions through fact-based analysis and well-constructed business cases
Requirements / Skills
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in Ocean Freight and trade lane management, combined with strong analytical skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across commercial and operational functions. DHL is looking for someone who is a self-starter, culturally aware, and comfortable driving complex, cross-functional initiatives in a global environment.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Economics, Transportation, or a related field; advanced qualifications are an asset
- 6+ years of experience in Ocean Freight, Network Design, Route Development, Trade Lane Management, Pricing, Carrier Management, or related logistics functions
- Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional route development projects and influencing senior stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience building dashboards and performance reporting tools is highly valued
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; fluency in additional languages is a definite advantage
- Well-developed interpersonal skills including conflict management, negotiation, and cross-cultural competence
- Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and a digital-first mindset
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 tailored to highlight your Ocean Freight and route development experience before submitting.
Share This Opportunity
Know someone who might be interested? Share this job posting and help them join DHL Global Forwarding in Mississauga.
Job Summary & Tips for Applying
Quick Summary & What to Highlight: This Route Development Manager role at DHL Global Forwarding in Mississauga is perfect for candidates who excel in Ocean Freight trade lane strategy, route economics analysis, and cross-functional stakeholder management. On your resume, emphasize any experience with trade lane development, RFQ support, and network optimization, attention to detail in performance reporting, and your ability to drive decisions in a fast-paced logistics environment. If you’ve previously worked in Ocean Freight, Carrier Management, or Supply Chain Strategy, make sure to highlight specific achievements and responsibilities that align with this position.
Resume & Application Tips: Before applying, tailor your resume to match the job description. Include keywords like Route Development Management, trade lane analysis, and gross profit optimization that appear in the posting. Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., “improved consolidation ratios by 15% across key Asia-Canada trade lanes” or “led RFQ support for $5M+ in annual ocean freight revenue”). Write a brief cover letter expressing your genuine interest in DHL Global Forwarding and why you’re well-suited for this strategic role in Mississauga. Double-check your application for spelling errors and ensure your contact information is current.
Interview Preparation: If selected for an interview, research DHL Global Forwarding‘s global network, Ocean Freight products, and supply chain strategy beforehand. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate your trade lane analysis and stakeholder influence skills. Common questions may include scenarios about managing underperforming routes, navigating competing priorities across Sales and Operations, or supporting high-value RFQs under tight timelines. Dress appropriately for a corporate logistics environment, arrive 10–15 minutes early, and bring copies of your resume. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team structure, and global growth priorities. After the interview, send a thank-you email within 24 hours reiterating your interest in the position.
Recommended Job Offers
More DHL openings near Mississauga, ON
