Senior Vice President Global Cargo

Job Summary

This role will focus on driving the growth strategy of the Swissport cargo business to become the global leader.

This will be achieved utilizing Swissport’s global network of approx. 50 countries / 300 airports as well as actively pursuing opportunities outside the network through M&A activities. Responsibilities include developing & driving the global cargo strategy, developing the Global commercial pipeline and improve performance of existing portfolio across key KPI’s. The role will be the key point of contact for all commercial matters (Contract completion, pricing discussions), Business development activities (tender activities, negotiations) and M&A activities (acquisitions, JV’s, partnerships) within the Swissport cargo business.

In addition to developing the cargo pipeline to grow the business and driving the performance of the existing estate this role is responsible for the brand positioning strategy of the business.

Job Responsibilities:

• Define and implement the global cargo strategy
• Deliver world class service to airlines and freight forwarders
• Improve commercial performance (revenue and EBITDA)
• Drive global cost efficiencies and reductions
• Leverage synergies and efficiencies with global customers and partners
• Define and deliver digital transformation and industry connected experience
• Manage operational performance and product consistency
• Define new initiatives for market and/or geographical growth
• Position Swissport as an innovative value adding service provider in the air cargo value chain

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. Your key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategies to optimise revenue, reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
• Lead and manage synergies, cross fertilization across multiple regions. Empowering and developing our people to be the best and deliver the best, making the most of your resources and growing talent.
• Drive commercial best practice, maximise on growth opportunities, exercising financial and revenue management. Driving core financial performance metrics and maximising warehouse utilization
• Oversee all business areas with an eye for detail. Ensure brand standards are consistently delivered while utilising customer feedback to increase performance against KPI’s.
• Embrace accountability for supporting regional business plans for new & existing warehouses, supporting and enabling the bigger picture.
• P&L oversight for the global portfolio
• Leading and producing tender submissions for new warehouses and developing new location business cases for investment committee approval, fully supported by regional and global teams and experts.
• Building strong relationships with airport teams, airlines & partners, negotiating contracts & commercial terms.
• Driving and delivering annual strategic objectives & commercial goals (revenue & Ebitda) as well as the global procurement strategy to minimise costs.
• Global strategy development. This includes activities such as developing market knowledge, target setting, planning process, challenging brand strategies and initiatives as well as planning of capital expenditure.
• Prepare and lead business expansion projects and implementation (together with regional teams) including performing thorough market analysis, business case building, preparation of negotiations and contracts and presenting to executive management for sign off.
• Evaluate horizontal opportunities to grow either organically or through M&A activities by detailed market screening of existing opportunities (top down) and based on a strategic roadmap (bottom up)
• Identify key locations / geographies and liaise with regional heads to introduce or expand the cargo business locally
• Maintain and build upon global reputation to ensure Swissport is the market leader within the sector.
• Plan, develop and execute a global events & awards programme to position Swissport as a global leader (consumers, airports, airlines, M&A targets, etc.).
• Provide regular updates to top management on progress of strategy execution and performance

Personal Profile:

• A seasoned cargo professional across all areas: commercial, technology & operations
• Background in airline, handling or freight forwarding
• Leadership experience compulsory
• Demonstrable track record – 7-10+ years in air cargo
• Experience of managing at senior level (Director level DR’s)
• Willingness to be mobile travel (air, train, Car) – preferably based at any Swissport location
• Highly commercial, numerate & dynamic, able to lead a tender process & partner negotiation.
• New warehouse design, construction & implementation experience desirable
• Energetic, inspiring & charismatic leader with the ability to build gravitas at senior level.

Qualifications and competencies

• Self-motivated, autonomous and ambitious character with entrepreneurial mind-set who thrives on standards and success.
• Experience in a multi-cultural, international business environment.
• Proven track record of change management and ability to Interpret business needs that drive success.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Business Development + Minimum 5 years’ industry experience
• Strong analytical implementation and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent commercial acumen with ability to negotiate and influence customers, partners along with other stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Fluent in English (additional languages are beneficial).
• Willingness to travel.

Note: This job description summarises the main aspects of the role, but does not cover all the duties that the job holder may be required to perform. Therefore, the job description is a minimum standard. It is not a statement of all that the job does or may entail and is not intended to restrict the scope of the job but clearly define a starting point and may vary depending on location and local customer requirements.