DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is the world leader in air freight services and one of the leading providers of ocean freight services. Around 30,000 employees work to ensure we transport our customers of shipments by air or sea. DGF's logistics solutions span the entire supply chain, from the factory to the shop floor. This also includes special transport-related services.
As the experts in freight forwarding, we deliver 100% assurance to our customers via a mindset that’s always looking ahead to the next commercial opportunity, predicting the next potential issue, anticipating the next global trend.
Because at DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, we’re not simply about freight forwarding. We’re about forward-thinking ways to connect people – and improve their lives.
Job purpose
Set the strategic direction for Ocean Freight and translate Strategy 2030 into an executable, value?creating roadmap. Lead the Strategy Office and governance; steward the Ocean Freight strategic narrative internally (employees, Corporate Board) and externally (customers, media, investors); sponsor high?impact growth and transformation initiatives—including M&A, operating?model design, and portfolio integrations—to accelerate sustainable growth and resilience.
Scope & Decision Rights:
- Enterprise strategy owner for Ocean Freight (3–5?year horizon); chairs strategy governance (Strategy Council; quarterly portfolio reviews).
- Investment gatekeeping for strategic initiatives/business cases above agreed thresholds (jointly with EVP OFR and CFO); sets divisional KPIs for strategic programs and monitors delivery.
- M&A leadership: Owns OFR deal thesis and screening; co?leads diligence with Corporate M&A; recommends go/no?go; co?chairs Integration/Transformation SteerCos and sets value?realization targets
- Narrative ownership: Editorial control of Ocean Freight’s strategic narrative and executive communications; alignment with Group Strategy 2030 and external stakeholder expectations.
Principal accountabilities
1) Enterprise Strategy Development & Execution
- Lead the development and refresh of Ocean Freight Strategy 2030 (choices on markets, solutions, customer segments, and capability bets); translate into a prioritized initiative portfolio with clear value cases
- Institutionalize an outside?in insights engine (market structure, competitor moves, customer needs, regulatory shifts, sustainability) and scenario planning
- Set division?wide KPIs; run quarterly strategy reviews, resolve roadblocks, and reallocate resources to winning bets
2) Strategic Narrative & Stakeholder Communications
- Own the Ocean Freight narrative and storylines for employees, Corporate Board, customers, media, and investors; ensure message discipline across all channels.
- Partner with Divisional and Group Communications/IR to prepare leadership for Board updates, earnings, customer summits, and media engagements; curate thought leadership consistent with OFR priorities.
3) Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Partnerships
- Build and manage the OFR M&A/partnership pipeline aligned to strategy; develop deal theses and screening criteria.
- Co?lead due diligence with Corporate M&A; shape synergy and integration theses; present investment cases to Divisional and Corporate Board
- Design and govern post?deal integration with accountable business owners; track synergy realization and mitigate risks early
4) Operating Model & Transformation
- Architect Target Operating Models for new or revitalized products/solutions, secure Board endorsement, and enable controlled launch
- Stand up cross?functional transformations with clear benefits, timelines, and change?management plans; ensure adoption across Regions/Countries.
5) Portfolio Integration Leadership
- Direct strategic integrations to realize customer, operational, and financial synergies without service disruption.
- Establish integration governance (SteerCo, workstreams), Day?1/Day?100 plans, and synergy/continuity KPIs
6) Portfolio Strategy & Performance Management
- Shape product/solution portfolio decisions (build/partner/exit) and resource allocation; recommend capital deployment to strategic priorities.
- Run quarterly portfolio reviews to rebalance initiatives and sunset low?value activities.
7) Talent & Capability Building
- Sponsor the Ocean Freight Young International Forwarder (YIF) Trainee Program and leadership pipelines; mentor high?potential talent.
- Recruit, lead, and develop a high?performing Strategy Office
8) Risk, Sustainability & Resilience
- Embed risk sensing and scenario planning (trade, geopolitics, supply disruptions) into the strategy cadence.
- Partner with Sustainability to advance the Group’s “Green Logistics of Choice” ambitions within Ocean Freight and ensure strategy?to?execution on decarbonization pathways.
9) Customer & Market Engagement
- Engage top global customers in strategic dialogues and co?creation; support strategic bids with differentiated value propositions.
- Represent Ocean Freight in industry forums and media to position DGF as a thought leader.
Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, Education and Experience
- 15+ years in strategy/corporate development/product strategy/GM roles with impact in global B2B (logistics/forwarding or adjacent)
- Proven leadership of enterprise strategy cycles, large?scale transformations, and end?to?end M&A (origination ? integration)
- Strong external orientation and executive presence; strategic storytelling to Boards, customers, media, investors
- Advanced degree (MBA/Masters) preferred; forwarding domain expertise a strong advantage
- Strategic thinking & pattern recognition
- Influence without authority
- C?suite stakeholdering
- Change leadership & communication
- Analytical rigor & data?driven decisions
- Entrepreneurial bias for action
- Cross?cultural collaboration
- Talent development
Location
Bonn and flexible Europe
RCS Grading
F
Your benefits
We offer excellent employee benefits, a competitive salary package and great development opportunities.
- Positive work environment: Our TOP EMPLOYER prestigious certification attests to our best-in-class efforts to attract and retain talent by fostering a positive work environment and encouraging personal and professional development among employees
- Comprehensive Benefits Package: We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, social counseling, generous corporate discount programs and other employee wellbeing programs.
- Global Exposure: Joining DHL Global Forwarding means being part of a truly global organization, providing you with the opportunity to work with diverse teams and gain exposure to international markets and practices.
- Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and we strive to provide a flexible work environment.
- Continuous Learning and Development: We invest in our employees' growth by offering training programs, coaching, workshops, and resources to enhance your skills and knowledge.
- Onboarding: Individual onboarding, training on the job, networking, a dedicated certified program.
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