Role Purpose
The Pricing Specialist – Procurement is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and maintaining competitive freight rates and logistics service costs across global carrier and supplier networks. The role supports commercial growth by delivering accurate, timely, and competitive pricing solutions for customer quotations, tenders, and strategic business opportunities.
Working closely with Sales, Operations, Product, and Carrier Management teams, the Pricing Specialist ensures that pricing proposals maximize profitability while meeting customer requirements and maintaining service quality.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Supplier Management
- Source and procure competitive rates from ocean carriers, airlines, haulage providers, warehouses, customs brokers, and other logistics service providers.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with carriers, vendors, and strategic partners.
- Negotiate freight rates, surcharges, service agreements, and contract terms.
- Monitor supplier performance and recommend improvements or alternative sourcing options.
- Support annual carrier and supplier procurement exercises.
Pricing & Quotations
- Prepare accurate and competitive customer quotations for import, export, and cross-trade shipments.
- Calculate complete transportation costs, including freight, local charges, customs fees, warehousing, and value-added services.
- Ensure margin targets are achieved and pricing complies with company profitability requirements.
- Respond to quotation requests within agreed service-level timelines.
- Maintain pricing databases and tariff management systems.
Tender Management
- Support local, regional, and global RFQs, RFPs, and tender submissions.
- Collect and analyse supplier rate information to develop competitive bid responses.
- Coordinate with commercial and operational teams to ensure pricing solutions are commercially viable and operationally executable.
- Prepare pricing models, cost analyses, and tender documentation.
Market Intelligence & Analysis
- Monitor market trends affecting freight rates, carrier capacity, fuel surcharges, and trade lane developments.
- Analyse rate fluctuations and identify opportunities for cost optimisation.
- Provide market insights and pricing guidance to sales and management teams.
- Track competitor pricing trends and industry developments.
Stakeholder Collaboration
- Partner with Sales teams to support customer acquisition and retention activities.
- Work closely with Operations to understand service capabilities and operational costs.
- Collaborate with Finance on profitability analysis and margin management.
- Support regional and global procurement initiatives.
Reporting & Compliance
- Maintain accurate records of supplier rates, contracts, and pricing agreements.
- Produce regular pricing and procurement performance reports.
- Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and commercial governance standards.
- Support audits and internal controls related to procurement and pricing activities.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Quote turnaround time.
- Procurement savings achieved.
- Supplier performance and compliance.
- Accuracy of pricing and cost calculations.
- Rate database maintenance and integrity.
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
- Excellent numerical and analytical abilities.
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Problem-solving and decision-making capability.
- Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
Desirable
- Experience with freight forwarding operating systems and pricing platforms.
- Knowledge of ocean freight, air freight, road freight, short sea, intermodal and customs processes.
- Familiarity with procurement methodologies and contract management.
- Experience supporting global tenders and strategic bids.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum 3 years' experience in freight forwarding, logistics pricing, procurement, or commercial analysis.
- Proven experience obtaining and negotiating logistics supplier rates.
- Strong understanding of international transportation and supply chain operations.
Desirable
- Professional qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, or Business.
- CIPS qualification or equivalent.
- Experience within a multinational freight forwarding environment.
Key Attributes
The successful candidate will be commercially focused, highly analytical, and capable of building strong relationships both internally and externally. They will thrive in a fast-paced freight forwarding environment and demonstrate a proactive approach to securing competitive procurement solutions that drive customer satisfaction and business profitability.
