Logistics Manager

1004 Gourmet General Trading L.L.C., a leading importer, wholesaler, and retailer of premium Asian specialty food and beauty products, is seeking an experienced and highly organized Logistics Manager to oversee all freight forwarding, customs clearance, and municipality-related logistics operations across multiple emirates.

The Logistics Manager will play a critical role in ensuring the timely, compliant, and cost-effective movement of inventory throughout our supply chain. This position requires strong relationship management skills, deep knowledge of UAE customs and regulatory procedures, and proven expertise in logistics cost optimization.

About 1004 Gourmet

1004 Gourmet is a fast-growing Asian specialty food and beauty products distributor operating multiple retail locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, complemented by a dedicated B2B division. We specialize in premium imported products and maintain the highest standards of quality, compliance, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Freight Forwarding \& Vendor Negotiations

• Maintain strategic relationships with freight forwarders and negotiate favourable freight rates and competitive service terms
• Manage inbound shipment logistics from suppliers (Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and other sources)
• Coordinate freight consolidations and schedule shipment pickups to optimize costs and delivery timelines
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities in freight and logistics operations

Shipment Coordination \& Timely Clearance

• Ensure timely arrival and clearance of all shipments through ports and airports in the UAE
• Track shipments end-to-end from origin through customs clearance to final delivery at warehouse or retail locations
• Coordinate with suppliers regarding cargo readiness, shipping schedules, and documentation requirements
• Monitor clearance progress and proactively address delays or other issues
• Review and manage all required shipping documentation (bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin)

Customs \& Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain strong professional relationships with customs agents and brokers
• Manage the customs clearance process and ensure full compliance with all UAE import regulations and requirements
• Obtain and verify all required health, food safety, and regulatory certificates
• Coordinate with customs agents to resolve issues, answer regulatory questions, and facilitate smooth clearance

Municipality \& Regulatory Affairs

• Build and maintain strong relationships with municipality officers across all emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, and others)
• Register products in municipality databases and maintain current registration status across all emirates
• Prepare for and manage municipality audits and inspections; provide required documentation and arrange facility access
• Ensure ongoing compliance with municipal health, food safety, labelling, and product-specific requirements
• Handle municipality correspondence, submit required reports, and track compliance renewal deadlines

Cost Tracking \& Landed Cost Management

• Track and document all costs associated with shipments including freight, duties, taxes, broker fees, and clearance charges
• Calculate and finalize landed cost for each shipment; provide cost analysis to management
• Reconcile freight invoices and ensure accurate cost allocation to shipments and products
• Analyse logistics expenses and recommend opportunities for cost optimization and process improvement

Offloading \& Labor Management

• Schedule labour and equipment (forklifts, trucks, etc.) for receiving and offloading shipments at warehouse facilities
• Track labour hours and equipment usage for accurate cost tracking and billing
• Coordinate with warehouse team to optimize offloading timelines and minimize operational delays

Vehicle \& License Compliance

• Maintain comprehensive tracking of vehicle licenses and municipality registration details for all company delivery vehicles
• Coordinate with PRO (Public Relations Officer) on vehicle registration renewals and municipality permit requirements
• Ensure all vehicles remain compliant with emirate-specific regulations and inspection requirements

Reporting \& Performance Management

• Prepare regular logistics and cost reports for management review and decision-making
• Track and report on key performance metrics (on-time delivery, freight costs, clearance efficiency, landed costs)
• Provide shipment summaries, cost analysis, and recommendations to senior management and stakeholders

Required Qualifications \& Experience

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in freight forwarding, customs clearance, or logistics operations in the UAE
• Deep knowledge of UAE customs procedures, import/export regulations, and HS coding systems
• Proven familiarity with municipality requirements and compliance processes across multiple emirates
• Demonstrated experience negotiating freight rates and managing vendor relationships successfully
• Strong background in landed cost calculation and freight cost analysis
• Expert proficiency in MS Excel for tracking, analysis, and reporting
• Excellent organizational and time management capabilities; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to meet tight deadlines and work effectively under pressure

Preferred Qualifications

• Specific experience with food, FMCG, or specialty food imports and corresponding regulatory requirements
• Background in health, food safety compliance, and municipality food safety audits
• Fluency in Arabic language
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Customs Brokerage, Business Administration, or related field

Core Competencies

• Relationship Management: Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships with customs agents, municipality officers, freight forwarders, and suppliers
• Regulatory Expertise: In-depth understanding of UAE customs, import regulations, and municipal compliance requirements
• Cost Management: Proficiency in tracking, analysing, and optimizing logistics costs and landed costs
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous accuracy in documentation, compliance, and record-keeping
• Problem-Solving: Proactive approach to identifying and resolving logistics issues and regulatory challenges
• Reliability: Consistent follow-through on commitments and deadlines
• Professional Demeanour: Discretion, professionalism, and ability to represent the company effectively with external stakeholders

Pay: AED7,000.00 - AED8,000.00 per month

Application Question(s):

• What is your salary expectation?
• How soon can you join?
• Are you fluent in spoken and written English?
• How many years of Odoo experience do you have?
• Can you work 6 days a week at DIP2?

Experience:

• Logistics: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person