About Ascent
Ascent Global Logistics, headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, is a leading global provider of expedited, time-critical logistics solutions and other direct transportation services. The company connects customers to its extensive carrier network, internal ground fleet and airline via its proprietary, digital PEAK freight marketplace, which provides robust carrier capacity and transparent pricing, backed by 24/7/365 logistics experts. Ascent’s offerings include air charter and ground expedited solutions as well as truckload, less-than-truckload, global forwarding, brokerage, and managed transportation services. The experienced Ascent team solves customers’ most challenging logistics needs by providing industry-leading service and top-tier satisfaction.
Our Guiding Principles
At the core of Ascent's culture is a strong commitment to excellence, driven by the passion and dedication of every team member. We're equally dedicated to going above and beyond for our customers, ensuring this commitment extends beyond our team and brings exceptional value to those we serve. We aim for perfect execution in everything we do and ‘play hard’ by creating an environment where tasks are performed with a can-do attitude from start to finish. We ‘play smart’ by delivering on our commitments in an honest, fair and ethical manner. We treat every person with whom we interface with the utmost dignity and respect. We understand that our teammates are our most valuable assets, so we ‘play together’ by making every effort to provide a professional and enjoyable experience, enabling careers to flourish and personal growth to be achieved.
What You’ll Do
The primary responsibility of the Air Freight Product Manager will be to help AF Product Director lead our Global Air Freight Product efforts including Procurement, Capacity Management and Performance Management to drive new revenue and support the company’s strategic plans. The Air Freight Product Manager will be responsible for and develop partner and carrier relationships to ensure best possible service level, rate, and transit time. Position requires excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills, combined with strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Further develop our air freight product, including trade lane management, procurement strategies, opening new markets, carrier relations and performance management
- Conduct air freight market analysis to seize opportunities and stay up to date with market developments (including customer analysis).
- Attend customer meetings when necessary to support the sales team and drive growth
- Create a business plan to strategically grow a network of partners and carriers to achieve and exceed targets and help close potential business
- Resolve issues with partner and carriers.
- Have a solid understanding of top 10 air freight customers and collaborate with leadership team to ensure customer needs are met
- Proactively provide pricing alternatives and routing solutions to clients
- Identify, formulate and develop key trade lanes
- Implement a strategy for business development to maintain profitable air freight
- Ensure compliance with International and U.S. laws related to air freight regulations.
- Respond to requests for proposals and quotes timely with market competitive pricing
- Work with partners and carrier representatives - both in the US and internationally - to minimize costs through effective procurement, cargo mixing and prioritizing sales opportunities accordingly.
- Develop and maintain air freight sales tools for use in promoting targeting trade lanes including route plans, transit times, suggested sell rates and comprehensive database of origin and destination charges.
- Create visibility of all rates and ensure timely and effective air freight pricing for large and medium size customers
- Collaborate with pricing/trade team to ensure timely and effective air freight pricing
- Drive best practices for process management
- Identify, lead, train and develop up-and-coming talent to meet overall air freight strategic goals.
- Other tasks and responsibilities as directed by AF Product Director.
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university.
- Proven sales experience: Work with sales team & clients to grow AF product line.
- Airfreight product experience: Minimum 2 years
- Proven AF solution design & quoting ability
- Ability to identify, evaluate and negotiate solutions with carriers and overseas partners
- Cargowise experience preferred
- Strong understanding of applicable laws, regulations and other government requirements
- Ability to evaluate and negotiate service contracts, incentive programs and capacity management for air freight
- In depth knowledge of the global air freight industry
- Experience in the creation of strategic planning initiatives
- Previous experience managing an air freight team and/or program
- Strong computer skills in Microsoft Windows, Word, Outlook and Excel preferred.
- Detailed organizational skills.
- Solid communication skills – both verbal and written.
- Must be able to think and react quickly with a sense of urgency to time-sensitive problem situations.
- Must be able to remain calm during adverse conditions.
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Must be able to type a minimum of 30 w.p.m.
Ascent’s Competitive Benefits
- 401(k) and employer matching
- Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Short- & Long-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Wellness Program
- Employee Recognition Programs
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Overtime, Differential & Bonus Pay
Additional Considerations
Involves a high degree of responsibility for working with, safeguarding, and controlling highly restricted information, knowledge, or important confidences and criterion-related to research and development of customer data, future plans, policies, business prospects, finances, etc. the release of which could have a detrimental effect and impact on the company’s affairs or undermine its competitive position. Must be self-motivated, able to maintain confidentiality, honest, friendly, punctual, and organized, have a positive attitude and be able to work unsupervised.