Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Shipping & Logistics

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be a key member of the executive leadership team and will have overall responsibility for driving operational performance, service excellence, productivity, efficiency and sustainable growth across the logistics operations.The COO will provide strategic and operational leadership across the company's integrated logistics platform, covering Freight Forwarding – Sea, Air and Land, Procurement, Customs Clearance, Yard Management, Land Transportation and Fleet, Service Centers, Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), Warehousing and Contract Logistics.Working closely with the CEO and other members of the leadership team, the COO will translate the company's strategy into effective operating plans, establish consistent operating standards, strengthen cross-functional integration and ensure that the organization is positioned for scalable and profitable growth.The role carries significant responsibility for operational and financial performance, with partial P&L accountability, while maintaining a strong focus on customer retention, operational excellence, digital transformation, business expansion and organizational capability.The successful candidate will be expected to build a high-performance operating culture, improve utilization of people and assets, enhance customer experience, strengthen governance and controls, and continuously identify opportunities to improve the company's competitive position.

Key Responsibilities

Overall Operations Leadership: Lead and oversee all UAE operational activities across Sea, Air and Land Freight Forwarding, Procurement, Customs Clearance, Yard Management, Land Transportation & Fleet, Service Centers, PDI, Warehousing and Contract Logistics.Operational Strategy: Develop and execute the UAE operations strategy in alignment with the company's overall business objectives and growth plans.Operational Excellence: Drive continuous improvement, standardization, productivity, efficiency and cost optimization across all operational functions.Integrated Operations: Ensure seamless coordination and integration between freight forwarding, customs, transportation, fleet, yards, warehouses, PDI and contract logistics to deliver end-to-end logistics solutions.Financial Performance: Take partial P&L responsibility for operations, with accountability for operating costs, productivity, margins, budgets and efficient utilization of resources and assets.Customer Retention & Service Excellence: Drive operational service quality and customer retention by ensuring consistent service delivery, timely resolution of operational issues and strong performance against customer commitments.Business Transformation: Lead operational transformation initiatives, including process re-engineering, automation, digitalization and data-driven performance management.Growth & Expansion: Support the CEO in identifying and implementing opportunities for business expansion, new services, capacity development, strategic partnerships and operational investments.Fleet & Asset Optimization: Maximize utilization and productivity of fleet, equipment, facilities, yards, warehouses and other operational assets while maintaining appropriate maintenance and safety standards.Procurement & Supplier Management: Provide strategic oversight of operational procurement and supplier performance, ensuring competitive sourcing, cost efficiency, service quality and strong supplier governance.Performance Management: Establish and monitor operational KPIs, dashboards and performance-management routines, ensuring clear accountability and timely corrective action across all operational departments.Risk, Compliance & HSE: Ensure operations comply with applicable UAE regulations, customer requirements and company policies, with strong focus on safety, security, risk management and business continuity.People & Leadership: Lead, coach and develop the operational leadership team, building a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, customer service and continuous improvement.Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with the CEO, Finance, Commercial, HR, IT and other functions to ensure effective execution of the company's strategic and operational priorities.Executive Reporting: Provide the CEO and executive leadership team with regular reporting and insights on operational performance, financial results, customer issues, risks, opportunities and strategic initiatives.

Key Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Maritime Studies, Operations Management, or a related discipline.Minimum 15 to 25 Years Experience in Supply Chain Management.Executive leadership certifications and professional memberships are advantageous.Experience managing large-scale, multi-site, or multi-country operations is highly desirable.GCC/UAE experience preferred.Personal Attributes:Visionary and entrepreneurial leader.Results-oriented with a strong commercial mindset.Highly proactive and resilient.Strong executive presence and communication skills.Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder management capabilities.Able to lead through change and drive business transformation.High integrity, professionalism, and accountability.