Country Head / GM (Freight Forwarding) Jobs in Chennai Freight Forwarding Company
⚡ Hiring Now🏫 Chennai Freight Forwarding Company Employment Zones
Chennai's private freight forwarding companies manage international cargo, customs clearance, and multimodal logistics for export-import clients from offices in Guindy and Ambattur MIDC, employing Tamil-speaking freight executives, customs brokers, and logistics coordinators.
Freight Forwarding Company employment zones in Chennai include Guindy, Ambattur MIDC, Sholinganallur, Anna Nagar, Nungambakkam, T. Nagar, Adyar, Velachery, Taramani, and Perungudi.
📋 Job Description
Jobzi is sourcing qualified candidates for Country Head / GM (Freight Forwarding) positions in Chennai's private Freight Forwarding Company sector. This is a full-time opportunity with a reputed Freight Forwarding and Customs Broking employer in Chennai offering competitive salary, structured growth, and a professional work environment. Tamil communication skills are preferred alongside English for professional and business interaction in Chennai.
📌 Key Responsibilities
- Own the full India P and L for the private freight forwarding company across all branches, service lines, and trade lanes and deliver annual revenue, margin, and EBITDA targets to the global or regional leadership
- Define and execute the India freight forwarding strategy including trade lane focus, service line expansion, overseas agent network development, and technology investment roadmap
- Build and manage the company's strategic client portfolio at the national level including multinational shipper relationships at the global procurement and supply chain director level
- Lead business development for India's largest freight opportunities including multinational tender responses, project cargo contracts, and large exporter and importer account acquisitions
- Manage principal and overseas agent relationships to ensure competitive rate support, service priority, and network access for India operations
- Ensure regulatory compliance at all India branches for IATA licensing, CHA licensing, GST, Customs Act obligations, foreign exchange management, and staff DGR and CHA certification requirements
- Build and develop the India leadership team including branch managers, operations managers, and business development managers for succession and performance excellence
- Present quarterly and annual P and L, strategic progress, and business development performance to the global or regional board, investor, or principal leadership
🎓 Qualifications and Requirements
- MBA from a premier or recognized institution
- 14 - 25 Years of experience in freight forwarding with at least 6 years in a country head, GM, or national head role with full India P and L ownership
- Demonstrated track record of leading a multi-branch freight forwarding operation in India with revenue of Rs.50 crore or more per annum
- Deep expertise in ocean freight, air freight, customs clearance, project cargo, and trade compliance services across India's major ports and cargo gateways
- Strong global or regional principal and overseas agent relationship management experience to secure network support and competitive market positioning for India operations
- Proven business development capability at the national level including winning multinational tender accounts and securing large exporter and importer volume commitments
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills for engaging with global leadership, India clients, regulatory authorities, and the media
- Good Tamil and English communication skills for team coordination and client interaction in Chennai.
✅ Required Skills
🏆 Certifications and Qualifications
IATA Cargo Agent certification for air freight roles; CHA (Customs House Agent) licence for customs clearance roles; FIATA Diploma for freight forwarding operations roles; Diploma or Graduate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management; knowledge of ICEGATE, ICES, and SEZ customs procedures for customs roles; B/L (Bill of Lading), AWB (Air Waybill), and shipping instruction processing for documentation roles; HS code classification and duty calculation for tariff and customs roles; IncoTerms 2020 knowledge for commercial freight roles; IATA DGR for dangerous goods air cargo roles
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of jobs are available in Chennai's private freight forwarding and customs broking sector?
Chennai's private freight forwarding sector offers roles across documentation, customs clearance, air and ocean freight operations, freight sales, trade compliance, and senior management. Entry-level roles include documentation executive, customs clearance executive, and customer service positions at CHA firms and freight forwarders. Mid-level openings cover air freight operations, ocean freight coordination, pricing and tariff management, and dangerous goods handling. Senior roles include key account manager, operations manager, business development manager, branch manager, and country head at private international freight forwarding companies operating out of Chennai Port Area, Nungambakkam, Guindy, and Teynampet.
What is the salary range for freight forwarding company jobs in Chennai?
Entry-level documentation and customs clearance roles in Chennai's private freight forwarding companies pay Rs.16,000 to Rs.42,000 per month depending on skills and employer size. Mid-level operations, pricing, trade compliance, and customer service roles earn Rs.18,000 to Rs.52,000. Senior roles such as key account manager and operations manager command Rs.45,000 to Rs.1,30,000. Business development manager and branch manager roles earn Rs.50,000 to Rs.1,50,000. Country Head and General Manager positions at private freight forwarding companies earn Rs.1,50,000 to Rs.3,50,000 or more per month based on company scale and portfolio.
What skills and certifications are most valued for freight forwarding jobs in Chennai?
Chennai's private freight forwarding companies most value hands-on knowledge of ICEGATE and ICES customs filing for customs clearance roles, B/L and AWB processing for documentation roles, and FCL and LCL booking coordination for ocean freight roles. IATA Cargo Agent certification is preferred for air freight operations. IATA DGR certification is mandatory for dangerous goods handling roles. Trade compliance roles need HS code classification, duty drawback, and FTA knowledge. Sales and key account roles value IncoTerms 2020 understanding and strong English and Tamil communication. FIATA Diploma holders are preferred for senior operations and management roles.
What does a Country Head or General Manager do at a Chennai or India-based freight forwarding company?
A Country Head or GM at a freight forwarding company owns the India P and L across all branches, defines freight strategy, manages the strategic client portfolio at the global level, leads major business development, governs overseas agent and principal relationships, ensures regulatory compliance at all branches, develops the India leadership team, and reports to global or regional leadership. They are the highest-ranking executive in the India freight forwarding business, accountable for both the financial performance and strategic direction of the company's India operations.
What is the salary for Country Head or GM (Freight Forwarding) in India?
Country Heads and General Managers of private freight forwarding companies in India earn Rs.1,50,000 to Rs.3,50,000 per month in fixed compensation, with additional performance bonuses linked to India P and L achievement, business development milestones, and strategic targets. Total compensation including variable pay and ESOPs at well-capitalized international freight forwarders can significantly exceed the stated fixed range. The salary depends on the company's India revenue scale, number of branches managed, and whether the role is a professional hire by a multinational freight forwarding principal or a leadership appointment at a large privately held Indian freight forwarding company.
What is the difference between a Country Head and a Branch Manager in a multinational freight forwarding company?
In a multinational freight forwarding company operating in India, the Branch Manager is responsible for one city or branch P and L and reports to the Country Head or Regional GM. The Country Head or General Manager owns the entire India P and L across all branches and is the principal interface between the global or regional headquarters and the India operations. The Country Head makes strategic decisions on trade lane focus, service line expansion, principal relationships, and large client acquisitions that affect all Indian branches, while Branch Managers execute those strategies at their respective city or port locations within the parameters set by the Country Head.
What is the salary for Country Head / GM (Freight Forwarding) in Chennai Freight Forwarding Company in
A Country Head / GM (Freight Forwarding) in Chennai earns between Rs.1,51,000 and Rs.3,51,000 per month in July 2026, depending on experience, skills, and employer.
What experience is required for Country Head / GM (Freight Forwarding) jobs in
14 - 25 Years of relevant experience is typically required for Country Head / GM (Freight Forwarding) positions in Chennai's private Freight Forwarding Company sector.
வேலை விவரம் - தமிழில்
Chennai-ல் Country Head / GM (Freight Forwarding) வேலைவாய்ப்பு. மாத சம்பளம் ரூ.1,51,000 முதல் ரூ.3,51,000 வரை. 14 - 25 Years અனுபவம் தேவை. Freight Forwarding Company-ல் Full Time பணி. ஆர்வமுள்ளவர்கள் Jobzi மூலம் விண்ணப்பிக்கலாம்.