Category Manager, Logistics and Trade

Position Summary

The role is responsible for developing and executing the sourcing and category strategy for logistics, transportation, warehousing, freight forwarding, 3PL/4PL, customs brokerage, and export-import services. The role drives sustainable cost savings, procurement excellence, compliance, innovation, and responsible purchasing practices while ensuring uninterrupted supply chain operations and efficient cross-border trade activities.

The incumbent will lead category management, supplier relationship management, strategic negotiations, risk management, sustainability initiatives, and continuous improvement programs to enhance business competitiveness and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop and implement logistics and export-import purchasing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead strategic sourcing, tendering, and contract negotiations for:
• Domestic transportation
• International freight (sea, air, land)
• Customs brokerage
• Warehousing
• 3PL/4PL
• Import-export managed services
• Logistics digital solutions
• Establish category roadmaps and annual productivity plans.
• Monitor logistics market trends, freight indexes, regulatory changes, and supplier capabilities.

2. Cost Savings & Value Creation

• Deliver annual procurement savings targets through strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations.
• Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization across inbound and outbound logistics.
• Identify opportunities in:
• Freight consolidation
• Network optimization
• Shipment visibility
• Working capital improvement
• Inventory and lead-time reduction
• Develop and implement productivity projects that generate measurable business value.

3. Export Import Governance & Trade Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with customs regulations, trade controls, sanctions requirements, and local import-export laws.
• Establish governance for customs brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers.
• Manage import permits, customs documentation, and trade compliance requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce customs risks, penalties, detention, demurrage, and storage costs.
• Ensure zero ethical, safety, and compliance incidents in logistics and trade activities.

4. Responsible Purchasing & Sustainability

• Lead responsible purchasing implementation within logistics and export-import categories.
• Promote supplier compliance with:
• Business ethics
• Human rights standards
• Environmental requirements
• Anti-corruption policies
• Responsible sourcing principles
• Support supplier sustainability assessment and improvement programs.
• Integrate ESG considerations into sourcing decisions and supplier evaluations.

5. Supplier Relationship Management

• Build long-term strategic partnerships with key logistics suppliers.
• Lead regular business reviews and supplier performance evaluations.
• Develop supplier innovation pipelines and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier risk assessments and business continuity planning.
• Escalate and resolve supplier performance issues effectively.

6. Innovation & Digital Transformation

• Champion logistics innovation and digitalization initiatives.
• Identify opportunities through:
• Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
• Shipment visibility platforms
• Logistics analytics
• AI and automation solutions
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, and IT teams to improve end-to-end processes.
• Lead process simplification and automation projects.

7. Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary procurement business partner for Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and Commercial teams.
• Provide market intelligence and procurement insights to support business decisions.
• Facilitate alignment between operational requirements and procurement strategies.

8. Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, coach, and develop logistics and export-import team member.
• Establish clear objectives and development plans.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Build team capabilities in logistics sourcing, trade compliance, and supplier management.

Job Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Master's Degree is advantageous.
• Sertifikat Kepabeanan is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 8-12 years of purchasing experience.
• Minimum 5 years in Logistics and Export Import procurement.
• Proven experience managing strategic logistics categories and international trade operations.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiations and contract management.

Competencies

• Strategic sourcing
• Category management
• Trade compliance & customs regulations
• Supplier relationship management
• Cost analysis and TCO modeling
• Contract management
• Project management
• Leadership and people development
• Data analytics and problem-solving

Technical Skills

• ERP systems
• Purchasing digital tools
• Microsoft Office
• AI (Copilot)
• Customs and trade documentation knowledge

Expected Leadership Outcomes

• Deliver sustainable annual savings.
• Maintain world-class compliance standards.
• Drive responsible purchasing and ESG objectives.
• Build innovative partnerships with logistics providers.
• Improve service, agility, and resilience of the supply chain.
• Contribute directly to business competitiveness and profitability.