The Sr. Category Specialist – Air Freight supports the global logistics sourcing strategy with full responsibility for the Air Freight category. The role leads complex tender events, delivers robust analytics, and enables consistent, data‑driven decision‑making across global air freight sourcing activities. It drives cost optimization, transparency, and process standardization through close collaboration with internal stakeholders, air freight suppliers, and 4PL partners.
What You’ll Do
Lead Air Freight Tender & Sourcing Activities
- Own end‑to‑end management of Air Freight sourcing and tender events, including preparation, data validation, vendor engagement, bid consolidation, and negotiation scenario modelling.
- Operate and maintain the tender management tool for air freight events, ensuring accurate data uploads, rate structures, and templates.
- Analyze and present air freight tender outcomes and negotiation scenarios using clear, visual dashboards to support fact‑based decision‑making.
Drive Analytics & Air Freight Market Insights
- Ensure data integrity and analytical rigor across all Air Freight sourcing activities.
- Develop benchmarking reports, rate comparisons, and market intelligence analyses focused on global air freight trends and cost developments.
- Identify cost‑saving opportunities, capacity risks, and process improvement initiatives within the air freight category through structured analytics.
Enable Operational Excellence in Air Freight
- Standardize air freight rate cards, routing guides, and tender documentation to improve consistency, transparency, and compliance.
- Coordinate and manage air freight spot requests in collaboration with internal stakeholders and 4PL partners.
- Release air freight awards and ensure alignment with contractual terms, operational requirements, and compliance standards.
Contribute to Continuous Improvement
- Support automation and simplification initiatives related to air freight reporting, tender analytics, and governance processes.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally to strengthen air freight sourcing governance, improve supplier performance, and enhance category competitiveness.
- Take on additional operational or analytical tasks as required to support evolving business priorities within the Air Freight category.
What You’ll Need
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications are a plus.
- Several years of experience in logistics sourcing, procurement, or category management with a strong focus on Air Freight.
- Proven experience managing complex air freight tenders and working with airlines, freight forwarders, and/or 4PL providers.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical skills with experience in rate analysis, scenario modelling, and benchmarking.
- Proficiency in Excel, Power BI, sourcing or tendering tools, and data visualization platforms.
- Solid understanding of global air freight markets, rate structures, capacity dynamics, and industry trends.
- Ability to translate data into clear insights and recommendations for stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills within global, cross‑functional teams.
- High attention to detail, process discipline, and commitment to data accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, international environment.
Additional Information
- This role has global responsibility for the Air Freight category only.
- Close collaboration with internal teams, air freight suppliers, and 4PL partners across regions is required.
- The position may include additional responsibilities aligned with continuous improvement initiatives and changing business needs.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
