About us

What if your work could drive change in a globally established industry, shaping processes that touch every corner of the world? At Forto, we are at the forefront of change, harnessing the power of AI to revolutionise logistics. We want to reinvent digital supply chains to be transparent, frictionless and sustainable. From day one, our mission has been to simplify global trade – creating a seamless and efficient logistics process.

About the role:

As Head of Sea Freight Inbound (f/m/d) Germany, you will lead the inbound operations team with the goal of creating customer value, delivering service & operational excellence, and ensuring efficient file management.
You will maintain adequate team capacity aligned with volume developments and drive the implementation of operational process improvements and TMS enhancements, acting as a key stakeholder with Tech/Product.
A core part of your role is coaching and developing the team—building capabilities, boosting engagement, and fostering a high-performance culture. You will also engage directly with strategic customers to ensure Operations leadership actively supports their retention and expansion, reinforcing Forto’s market-leading position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coaching and developing the team by building capabilities, boosting engagement and fostering high-performance culture.

• Implement and contribute to comprehensive strategies to optimize Sea Freight operations, drive revenue growth, and expand market share in alignment with overall company objectives while managing team capacities.

• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Sea Freight team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key carriers, clients, and industry and internal stakeholders to enhance Forto’s market presence and achieve favourable commercial outcomes.

• Taking the P&L responsibility of the Sea Freight division, including supporting financial analysis, budgeting, cost optimization and ensuring alignment between operations and commercial goals.

• Contribute to the development and drive the implementation of data-driven processes and systems to improve operational efficiency, enhance visibility, and support informed decision-making.

• Act as an ambassador for Forto in the market, representing the company at industry events and building a strong network of contacts.

• Collaborate closely with other departments, including Sales, Operations, and Finance, to ensure seamless execution of customer solutions and achieve shared business goals.

Required Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in the freight forwarding or logistics industry, with a strong focus on Sea Freight operations.

• Consistently exceeded gross profit targets and drove significant growth by optimizing Sea Freight operations, expertly implementing and overseeing desired strategic outcomes.

• Proven ability to lead projects or mentor team members in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

• Strong understanding of the Sea Freight market, including carrier relationships, pricing strategies, and operational best practices.

• Solid commercial acumen with the ability to connect operational decisions to P&L impacts and contribute to profitability.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, supporting strategic decision-making.

• Fluent in German and proficient in English.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience working with international teams and contributing to cross-border Sea Freight operations.

• Business acumen and commercial understanding.

• Established network of carrier contacts, client relationships, and industry connections in the Sea Freight market.

• Experience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, preferably within a tech-savvy or growth-oriented company.

• Experience in Freight Forwarding or Logistics companies.

Don’t fit all of our criteria? That’s okay! We know that you might be hesitant to apply if you don’t meet all our requirements, but here at Forto, we pride ourselves on embracing diverse perspectives and celebrating potential. If you are passionate about this position and the Forto values, please apply anyway. There could be a place for you in this role – or another one that’s a perfect fit!

Why work with us?

Our team is hard-working, constantly seeking to maximise the impact of their work, but we put our people first, always winning with care. We value efficient systems and swift, direct communication. We want everyone to have their time to speak, so that we can embrace diverse perspectives to help drive towards solutions always.