Tender Desk Manager (f/m/x) Ocean Freight EMEA

Job content

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