Freight Forwarding Operations Manager Jobs in Manvel, TX

Seairod Logistics LLC is a Houston-based international freight forwarding and logistics company developing an integrated U.S. and global logistics platform.

Our capabilities include ocean freight (FCL/LCL), NVOCC services, air freight, project and industrial cargo, trucking and drayage, warehousing and distribution, packing, customs brokerage coordination, and end-to-end supply chain solutions.

As Seairod expands its U.S. operations and international network, we are seeking an experienced logistics executive to help build, lead, and scale our U.S. business.

We are seeking a General Manager – USA with deep experience in international freight forwarding and NVOCC operations.

This is not a traditional Operations Manager position.

The successful candidate will work closely with Seairod's leadership and take significant ownership of the development of our U.S. operation across commercial development, sales, pricing, operations, compliance, vendor management, and organizational growth.

We are particularly interested in a hands-on leader who has previously built, launched, managed, or significantly scaled a freight forwarding/NVOCC operation in the United States.

• Develop and execute Seairod's U.S. commercial growth strategy.
• Build and manage a strong sales pipeline and key customer relationships.
• Develop strategic international trade lanes and new business opportunities.
• Participate directly in major customer presentations and negotiations.
• Maintain commercial discipline across pricing, margins, and profitability.

• Lead U.S. ocean freight operations across FCL and LCL import/export.
• Develop and manage NVOCC operating processes.
• Oversee shipment execution, documentation, service quality, and operational controls.
• Develop relationships with ocean carriers, co-loaders, airlines, overseas agents, and other logistics partners.
• Support development and expansion of Seairod's airfreight capabilities.

• Establish scalable pricing and quotation processes.
• Negotiate competitive buy rates with carriers, co-loaders, truckers, warehouses, and other providers.
• Review strategic RFQs and major commercial opportunities.
• Manage shipment profitability and margin performance.

• Maintain strong working knowledge of FMC/OTI/NVOCC regulatory requirements.
• Support ongoing FMC compliance, tariffs, bonds, documentation, and operating controls.
• Coordinate customs-related activities through appropriately licensed customs brokerage partners.
• Develop appropriate compliance procedures and internal controls.

Current or previous experience as an FMC OTI Qualified Individual (QI), or demonstrable experience that may satisfy FMC QI qualification requirements, is highly preferred. Any QI designation remains subject to FMC requirements and approval.

• Help establish and expand Seairod's warehousing and distribution capabilities.
• Develop trucking and drayage provider networks.
• Evaluate and negotiate warehouse and logistics service agreements.
• Support development of packing, industrial logistics, and project cargo capabilities.
• Evaluate container storage, maintenance/repair, and related logistics opportunities where commercially viable.

• Develop and manage strategic overseas agent relationships.
• Support expansion of international trade lanes.
• Negotiate agency and service-provider arrangements.
• Build reliable operating relationships across key global markets.

• Build scalable SOPs, KPIs, workflows, and operational controls.
• Recruit, develop, and lead future sales, pricing, operations, documentation, and customer-service teams.
• Take ownership of service performance, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and P&L performance.
• Build an organization capable of supporting Seairod's long-term U.S. and international growth.

We are looking for an experienced freight forwarding leader with:

• Approximately 10+ years of international freight forwarding/logistics experience, with substantial U.S. market experience.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of U.S. ocean freight and NVOCC operations.
• Previous leadership experience as a General Manager, Branch Manager, Country Manager, Director, VP, or comparable senior logistics position.
• Demonstrated experience building, launching, or significantly scaling freight forwarding operations.
• Strong commercial, sales, and customer-development capabilities in addition to operational expertise.
• Strong knowledge of pricing, carrier/co-loader negotiations, documentation, and freight profitability.
• Working knowledge of FMC/OTI/NVOCC regulatory requirements.
• Established industry relationships across carriers, co-loaders, trucking, warehousing, and international agents are highly valued.
• Airfreight, project cargo, industrial logistics, warehousing, and drayage experience are strong advantages.
• Houston/Gulf Coast market knowledge is strongly preferred.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving capabilities.

Seairod is looking for a builder, not simply a caretaker of an established operation.

The successful candidate should be comfortable negotiating a carrier rate, reviewing a major quotation, resolving an operational issue, meeting a prospective customer, developing a new vendor, establishing an SOP, and recruiting the team needed to support future growth.

As Seairod expands, this individual will have the opportunity to play a significant leadership role in shaping the company's U.S. organization and long-term development.

Location: Houston, Texas

Employment: Full-time

Workplace: On-site, with travel as required