Group COO - Air & Sea
LEMAN
GROUP COO AIR & SEA
Shape and lead LEMAN’s future global Air, Sea and Express organisation
Air, Sea and Express are strategically prioritised growth areas for LEMAN. To accelerate growth, strengthen profitability and create a more integrated global business, we are establishing a new Group Executive Management position: Group COO Air & Sea.
Based at either our Greve or Taulov office in Denmark and reporting directly to the Group CEO, you will have overall business accountability and share P&L responsibility with local Country CEOs for LEMAN’s global Air, Sea and Express business.
THE ROLE
You will build and lead the future global operating model for Air, Sea and Express operations across LEMAN. Your mandate covers global product management, procurement, allocation management, operational excellence, transformation and performance management, with responsibility for driving revenue, gross profit, margins, productivity and profitable growth.
A central part of the role will be to assess the current organisation and determine where structures, processes, governance, KPIs and ways of working should be strengthened or standardised. You will translate strategy into measurable improvements while preserving the local commercial strength and flexibility required across different markets.
GLOBAL MANDATE AND ORGANISATION
The role has global responsibility for Air, Sea and Express operations across 16 markets in Europe, the UK, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. The direct reporting line for Air & Sea in each country remains with the local Country CEO, while the Air & Sea Product organisation has a strong functional dotted-line relationship to you.
You will set the global Air & Sea strategy, financial targets, performance requirements, product standards, procurement principles and operational priorities. Country CEOs retain responsibility for their local business and statutory P&L, while you share responsibility with them for Air & Sea operational performance.
Success requires the ability to create direction, accountability and results through influence, credibility and close collaboration rather than direct hierarchical authority.
KEY PRIORITIES
During The First 12 Months, You Will Assess The Global Organisation And Define The Future Operating Model. Your Priorities Will Include
- Improving productivity, profitability and margin quality
- Delivering a minimum of 10% annual gross profit growth across Air, Sea and Express
- Establishing common KPIs and consistent performance management
- Strengthening global procurement and allocation management
- Improving profitability at shipment and customer level
- Creating closer collaboration between Procurement, Operations, Product and Sales
- Identifying growth opportunities across customers, trade lanes, products and industries
Global product leadership
Define the global operating model, standards and governance for Air, Sea and Express. Act as a strategic partner to Country CEOs and local Air & Sea organisations, aligning the global agenda with local business priorities.
Financial accountability and performance
Share P&L responsibility with local Country CEOs and drive revenue, gross profit, margins, productivity, cost development and profitable growth. Establish transparency around performance and translate insights into clear actions.
Procurement and allocation management
Set and execute the global procurement strategy, strengthen LEMAN’s position with airlines, shipping lines, NVOCCs, Express partners and other suppliers, and leverage global volumes more effectively.
Transformation, data and technology
Lead global improvement initiatives, standardise processes where relevant and strengthen service quality and productivity. Build a data-driven performance culture and identify opportunities for automation and digitalisation in collaboration with the Group CIO and the wider organisation.
Commercial collaboration
Work closely with the Group Chief Commercial Officer and the global sales organisation to support strategic customer development and ensure that commercial opportunities are backed by competitive solutions, strong execution and sustainable profitability.
YOUR BACKGROUND
We are looking for a senior international freight forwarding executive with substantial leadership experience and deep practical expertise in both air and sea freight. You understand the operational engine of the industry, including customers, trade lanes, pricing, procurement, productivity, margins, processes and execution. Experience with Express and time-critical transport solutions is also relevant.
We Expect That You Have
- Proven senior leadership experience within international air and sea freight forwarding
- Experience leading across countries and in complex matrix organisations
- Documented results in productivity, profitability and operational improvement
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including P&L responsibility
- Experience with procurement, supplier negotiations and organisational transformation
- A strategic, structured, analytical and data-driven mindset
- The ability to build trusted relationships and create commitment without direct authority
- Fluency in spoken and written English and willingness to be based permanently in Greve or Taulov
YOUR LEADERSHIP PROFILE
You combine operational credibility and commercial understanding with a strategic perspective. You move naturally between long-term direction and operational detail while maintaining a clear focus on people, customers and results.
Your leadership style is collaborative and pragmatic. You build trust across countries and cultures, set clear expectations, challenge constructively and hold the organisation accountable for performance and change.
A relevant higher education qualification is preferred, although substantial senior experience from freight forwarding may compensate for the absence of a formal academic qualification.
WHY JOIN LEMAN?
This is a newly established role with the opportunity to shape the mandate, define the future global operating model and build a stronger and more integrated Air, Sea and Express business.
Reporting directly to the Group CEO and serving as a member of Group Executive Management, you will play a central role in executing LEMAN’s growth strategy and influencing the future development of the Group.
About Us
LEMAN is a global company with deep roots and a modern, people-centric approach. We believe in empowering our colleagues and creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to perform at their best. Every day, we provide customised logistics and transport solutions that make a difference for companies and people around the world. We’re large enough to deliver top-quality global supply chain solutions yet small enough to offer truly personal experience – for both our customers and each other.