The Nippon Express Group is one of the leading global logistics service providers, with its Japanese corporation headquartered in Tokyo. We offer a wide range of services including air and ocean freight forwarding, cargo handling, removal services, and warehouse operations. With over 73,000 professionals in 50+ countries and regions, the NX Group is renowned for its global presence.
The main purpose of your role:
As a Tender Manager within our dynamic Ocean Freight division, you'll lead key tender and bid management processes to drive successful, customer-focused proposals while ensuring profitability and competitive advantages in our offerings.
- Lead and coordinate the tender management (TM) process, balancing workloads within the team and acting as the bid manager to deliver high-quality proposals.
- Develop customer-centric, competitive proposals that support profitable business growth.
- Translate corporate strategies into actionable goals within the Ocean division.
- Play a key role in expanding tendered business by increasing both volume and gross profit (GP).
- Prepare accurate and competitive RFQs/RFIs/RFPs in partnership with global and regional priority accounts, while closely collaborating with other Tender Management teams, Bid Owners, and Product and Support functions.
- Oversee reporting, business administration, and the maintenance of tender-related databases.
These are your key tasks:
- Oversee the full tender cycle, from gathering information to pricing and proposal submission.
- Ensure high-quality proposals meet client needs and align with company objectives.
- Coordinate responses with internal teams, handling queries and ensuring timely submissions.
- Design customer-centric solutions in line with corporate goals, using data to recommend optimal business approaches.
- Maintain updated pricing databases for transportation and distribution rates.
- Collect competitor insights on pricing, client base, and services to inform tender strategy.
- Conduct post-bid reviews, sharing insights with stakeholders to refine future proposals.
- Track tender results, documenting wins, retentions, losses, and trade lanes.
- Work closely with IT, Sales, Trade Lane Management, and other teams to deliver customer-driven solutions.
- Support effective resource allocation across regions, enhancing team responsiveness.
Requirements
- Minimum of 7 years' experience in freight forwarding, particularly within the ocean freight sector.
- Proven expertise in managing tender processes and creating competitive proposals that lead to successful business outcomes.
- Strong analytical skill set with a keen attention to detail that ensures accuracy and effectiveness in bid responses.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
- Understanding of market trends, competitor strategies, and supply chain dynamics.
- Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in additional languages is a plus.
- Strong organizational skills, with an ability to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, is required; familiarity with Access is a plus.
- Knowledge of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) like CargoWise or SAP and CRM systems.
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field is preferred.
- Potential location for the first 3-6 months: Antwerp, Belgium
Benefits
- A permanent position within a leading logistics company
- Stimulating tasks within a diverse and international environment
- Great team members who will help you to get onboarded quickly
- Good Work-Life-Balance, possibility to Work From Home (hybrid model)
- Attractive salary
- Various additional benefits
