Air Freight Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Area Air Logistics Gateway Operations Manager
It's more than a job
As a member of the Freight Forwarding team Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling our customers' promises. And by transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine.
The Area Air Logistics Gateway Operations Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational performance, and growth of the gateway network within the assigned area. This role oversees gateway operations, carrier management, capacity planning, consolidation strategies, financial performance, and team development to ensure the efficient movement of air freight while meeting customer expectations and company objectives.
The Manager serves as a key liaison between gateway operations, branch leadership, airlines, transportation providers, and regional stakeholders to drive operational excellence, service reliability, profitability, and continuous improvement across the air logistics network.
How you create impact

• Lead and manage all gateway operations activities, including air export, import support, consolidations, and transshipment movements.
• Take full ownership of gateway operational performance, productivity, service quality, and compliance.
• Develop and execute gateway strategies that support network growth, service excellence, and profitability.
• Manage capacity planning and consolidation programs to maximize efficiency, service reliability, and transportation cost optimization.
• Ensure achievement of gateway KPIs, SLA commitments, and financial objectives.
• Lead operational process improvement initiatives and drive standardization across gateway operations.
• Act as the senior escalation point for operational disruptions, service failures, and capacity challenges.
• Develop strong partnerships with airlines, GSAs, transportation providers, and internal stakeholders to secure required capacity and service levels.
• Negotiate carrier agreements, space allocations, and transportation solutions that support business objectives.
• Oversee gateway financial activities, reporting, cost management, and profitability performance.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Gateway Supervisors and Operations Specialists.
• Ensure compliance with aviation security requirements, customs regulations, healthcare guidelines, quality standards, and company policies.
• Support specialized products, including SecureChain, healthcare, and semiconductor logistics solutions.
• Collaborate with regional, national, and global Air Logistics teams to implement strategic initiatives and drive operational excellence.

What we would like you to bring

• 7+ years of experience in Air Export, Air Import, Gateway Operations, Air Freight Operations, or Freight Forwarding.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing gateway, transportation, or logistics operations teams.
• Strong expertise in international air freight operations, gateway management, airline operations, cargo handling, and freight forwarding processes.
• Proven experience managing airline relationships, carrier procurement, capacity planning, and consolidation strategies.
• Demonstrated success leading large-volume, fast-paced operational environments while maintaining service quality and profitability.
• Strong understanding of gateway financial management, productivity metrics, budgeting, and cost control.
• Proven ability to drive operational improvements, enhance service performance, and achieve productivity goals.
• Experience managing and developing supervisors and operational teams through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders, carriers, branch operations, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to make effective decisions under pressure.
• Ability to identify market trends, operational opportunities, and service improvements that drive business growth.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, reporting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
• Proficient in Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), freight forwarding software, cargo management platforms, and operational reporting tools.
• Accountable for achieving key performance metrics including:
  • On-time departure and arrival performance
  • Gateway productivity and throughput
  • Capacity utilization and consolidation effectiveness
  • Carrier performance and service reliability
  • Operational cost management and profitability
  • SLA and KPI achievement
  • Customer satisfaction and issue resolution
  • Compliance and quality standards
  • Employee engagement, retention, and team development

What's in it for you
At Kuehne+Nagel we strive daily to inspire, empower, and deliver not only to our customers, but also to our colleagues. We offer a dynamic global work environment with opportunities for excellent training programs and career mobility. The hourly wage for this role is between 120,000 and 135,000. Base wage is part of a competitive total rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and incentive compensation for eligible roles. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, skills, job location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. Kuehne+Nagel reviews pay ranges regularly to ensure competitive and fair pay based on industry market data. #LI-SB1
Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in specific process [e.g., screening applications, interview scheduling]. These tools analyze information to support decision-making, but final decisions are made by human reviewers.
Who we are
Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.
As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.
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