Freight & Logistics Controller

Job Description:

Purpose of the Job

The Senior Freight & Logistics Controller is responsible for driving financial performance across Freight and Logistics operations across UAE through effective revenue control, cost management, budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis. The role acts as a strategic business partner to commercial and operational teams, providing financial insights and recommendations that support informed decision-making, margin improvement, and sustainable business growth.

Job Description

1. Revenue Recognition & Validation

• Lead and oversee timely and accurate revenue recognition across Freight and Logistics operations, ensuring compliance with corporate policies, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Drive the review and validation of accruals, billing accuracy, revenue assurance processes, and identification of potential revenue leakages.
• Partner with operational leadership to ensure completeness, accuracy, and integrity of shipment data, revenue estimates, and financial reporting inputs.
• Establish and continuously improve revenue control mechanisms to enhance financial accuracy and minimize commercial risks.

2. Cost & Margin Controlling

• Lead comprehensive cost and profitability analysis across freight and logistics activities, including supplier invoices, outsourced services, agent expenses, and overhead allocations.
• Monitor and challenge margin performance across products, customers, trade lanes, and service offerings, providing actionable recommendations to improve profitability.
• Identify and drive margin enhancement initiatives through cost optimization, productivity improvements, pricing support, and commercial performance reviews.
• Provide strategic insights into cost drivers and profitability trends to support informed business decisions.

3. Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting

• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes for Freight and Logistics operations.
• Develop and present monthly performance reports, financial dashboards, KPIs, and variance analysis to senior management and regional leadership teams.
• Proactively identify financial risks, opportunities, and emerging business trends, providing recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecasting accuracy, financial visibility, and performance management processes.

4. Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted Finance Business Partner to Freight, Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Commercial leadership teams.
• Provide financial leadership and analytical support for pricing strategies, customer tenders, network optimization initiatives, routing decisions, and supplier negotiations.
• Influence commercial and operational decision-making through data-driven insights, profitability analysis, and strategic recommendations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment between financial objectives and business growth initiatives.

Job Requirements - Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s level in finance, Accounting, Logistics, or related field.
• Professional certification (CMA, ACCA, CPA) is a plus.
• 8 years of Experience in finance, ideally in freight/logistics operations.
• At least 3 years in a controlling or FP&A role.
• Strong knowledge of freight/logistics costing models.
• Solid understanding of revenue recognition principles and IFRS.
• Excellent analytical and financial modeling capabilities.
• Experience with cost allocation, route costing, and yield analysis.
• Advanced Excel, ERP systems (SAP/CW), and BI tools.

Leadership Behaviors

• Building Outstanding Teams
• Setting a clear direction
• Simplification
• Collaborate & break silos
• Execution & Accountability
• Growth mindset
• Innovation
• Inclusion
• External focus

Skills

• Attention To Details
• Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Data Analysis
• Decision Making
• Financial Acumen
• Problem Solving
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Team Leadership