General Manager

Roles & Responsibilities

The General Manager – Fleet Operations will lead the commercial strategy and overall performance of designated shipping trades. The position involves assessing market trends, formulating pricing and capacity plans, and maintaining strong partnerships with key customers and business stakeholders. The role is also accountable for developing new business opportunities, improving revenue and profitability, and coordinating the effective implementation of trade and service-development plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the commercial direction and overall performance of assigned trade lanes, ensuring alignment with the company’s business objectives.
• Develop and manage strategic shipping programmers for key corporate accounts to strengthen customer engagement and improve commercial results.
• Identify potential business opportunities through market research, demand analysis, volume forecasting and commercial-feasibility studies.
• Lead the design, launch and subsequent review of new shipping services and trade-development initiatives.
• Oversee the progress of commercial projects, address operational or business gaps and coordinate the timely resolution of escalated matters.
• Establish sustainable growth strategies focused on customer retention, market expansion and new-business acquisition.
• Direct pricing, freight-rate and space-allocation strategies to maximise vessel utilisation, revenue and trade profitability.
• Partner with Commercial, Operations, Marketing and Agency teams to develop suitable service structures, trade plans and logistics solutions.
• Maintain close coordination with overseas offices and appointed agents to align pricing, respond promptly to freight enquiries and deliver consistent customer support.
• Analyse cargo volumes, revenue results, utilisation levels, competitor activity and market movements, and present clear trade-performance reports to management.
• Track market trends and customer demand to produce reliable forecasts and support management’s strategic decision-making.
• Build productive long-term relationships with customers, business partners and internal stakeholders.
• Assist management with annual planning, budgeting and regular business-performance reviews.
• Carry out additional responsibilities and special assignments as directed by Management.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Possess a recognized bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a comparable field.
• Bring at least 10 years of relevant experience in liner shipping, with a strong track record in trade management, pricing and capacity or space planning.
• Have practical knowledge and experience managing the Asia–Europe–Mediterranean trade or other major international shipping routes.
• Demonstrate success in developing commercial and pricing strategies, optimising vessel capacity and achieving trade-performance targets.
• Possess a solid understanding of liner operations, freight markets, pricing mechanisms and commercial negotiations.
• Able to analyse market information, forecast demand and translate data into practical business strategies and recommendations.
• Strong commercial awareness, problem-solving ability and confidence in making well-informed decisions.
• Effective communicator and presenter with strong negotiation and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Proven ability to establish lasting relationships with customers and collaborate successfully with regional offices, overseas agents and international partners.
• Highly organised and able to plan effectively, manage time and handle several priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• Results-driven, accountable and professional, with a high level of integrity and a collaborative leadership style.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with shipping-management or ERP systems would be beneficial.
• Able to communicate effectively in both English and Mandarin, verbally and in writing, to support dealings with English- and Chinese-speaking customers, overseas offices and business partners.