Business Sector Manager - Freight | Al-Futtaim Logistics | Riyadh

Job Requisition ID: 174909 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role:
Manage and drive the growth and profitability of Freight Management across Air, Sea, Multimodal Transport, and Special Logistics, including Aerospace and Food & Beverage, through strong leadership, high employee engagement, and effective key customer interaction across the Kingdom. The role holds full ownership of the operational and financial performance of the region, while also leading the development and expansion of the Oil & Gas vertical within the KSA.

What you will do:

• Be fully accountable for the overall growth, profitability, and P&L performance of the Business Unit.
• Lead and manage all operational processes, assets, risks, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as the primary representative of the BU with customers, government authorities, senior management, and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and expand Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Food & Beverage, and other specialized logistics verticals in KSA.
• Strengthen and grow Al-Futtaim Group business while acquiring new third-party customers across the Kingdom.
• Negotiate rates, SLAs, and contracts within delegated authority and ensure signed customer SLAs are in place.
• Establish bonded transport and cross border logistics platforms between UAE and KSA.
• Own budgeting, cost control, operating plans, and monthly KPI and financial reporting.
• Identify market trends, risks, opportunities, and strategic partnerships to support sustainable growth.
• Ensure compliance with government regulations, customs, port authorities, and international agents.
• Maintain strong customer and supplier relationships through effective Key Account Management.
• Drive operational excellence through SOP development, lean structures, and process optimization.
• Build, lead, and engage high-performing teams with clear performance management and feedback.
• Ensure talent development, succession planning, internal promotions, and training aligned to business needs.
• Foster a productive, compliant, and people-centric work environment to minimize turnover and maximize morale.
• Collaborate closely with UAE Freight Management on HR, operations, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop new business opportunities, projects, and solutions to deliver sustainable revenue and margin growth.
• Act as the single point of contact for BU contracts to ensure seamless end-to-end service delivery.

Required Skills to be successful:

• Proven ability to manage large scale freight operations efficiently.
• Expertise in handling high-value bids, RFQs, and complex commercial negotiations.
• Strong negotiation skills with carriers and agents to drive retention and improve hit ratios.
• In-depth knowledge of Aerospace, Pharma, Food Logistics, and specialized freight solutions.

About the Team:

This role reports to the General Manager – MENA and leads a dedicated team while collaborating closely with senior logistics leadership in a fast paced and dynamic environment.

What equips you for the role:

• Postgraduate degree, preferably in Business Management or Supply Chain Management.
• Minimum 10 years of managerial experience in Freight and Local Services Management within KSA.
• Strong knowledge of GCC road networks, international documentation, freight operations, fleet management, relocations, routing, and scheduling.
• A customer centric mindset with a strong focus on execution excellence, integrity, quality, and compliance.

About Al-Futtaim Automotive
A major division of the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, Al-Futtaim Automotive is an industry leader with presence in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Our core business activities at Al-Futtaim Automotive include distribution, manufacturing, leasing and aftersales, and we are firmly established as the regional representative of some of the world’s most iconic automotive brands: Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Volvo and RAM.
We are driven by a customer-centric approach, constantly pushing the boundaries on innovation, quality standards, and value-added service across our vast universe of customers - right from motoring enthusiasts to fleet operators to contractors. Our mission is to become the leader in custom-made mobility solutions by delivering nothing less than world-class omni-channel experiences. 
We channel our local expertise and global trust to deliver one of the most comprehensive portfolios of mobility products and solutions, from passenger cars to SUVs, electric vehicles to high-performance motorbikes, commercial vehicles to industrial & construction equipment.
What keeps the company moving forward is a 9000-member strong team, with inspiring possibilities for growth, throughout the career path. This is Al-Futtaim Automotive and we empower talent to move forward.