Head of Sea Freight Operations

Do you have a passion for leading operational teams in the freight forwarding industry? Are you someone who sets the bar high, keeps calm under pressure, and knows how to build robust origin logistics networks? If you're ready to connect China's key export corridors with Europe's leading digital freight forwarder, you might be exactly who Shypple is looking for.

Read on or apply now to become an integral part of our international growth!

About Shypple

Shypple stands for "Shipping made simple." At Shypple, we want to shake up the traditional logistics industry. With our user-friendly platform and our logistics expertise, we strive to make the entire logistics chain run smoothly. Our platform serves as a central overview where you can track every stage of the supply chain in real time. With a wide range of features — booking, planning, delivery, and communication — we offer an all-in-one solution. Our goal is to reduce the administrative burden and time-consuming tasks within the logistics chain, so we can provide our customers with clarity, convenience, and efficiency.

Your role
Our Operations team is at the heart of what we do: making sure every ocean container moves seamlessly, every supplier and vendor is aligned, and every customer receives high-touch service. As Head of Sea Freight Operations for China, you are the operational cornerstone linking China's origin execution with Shypple's digital platform and global network.

You report directly to the Managing Director and are responsible for our two operations teams in Shenzhen and Shanghai. You lead and coach the Team Leads, while staying close to the wider team on the ground. You own day-to-day origin execution, strengthen our local vendor ecosystem, and ensure smooth collaboration with our European HQ (Rotterdam) and destination teams worldwide.

What you'll do

• Set the operational direction for China — translate Shypple's trade-lane goals into clear team OKRs, KPIs and ways of working across both offices;

• Own day-to-day ocean freight execution (FCL/LCL) across China's main export gateways — Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen/Yantian, Qingdao and beyond — keeping cargo moving and service levels high;

• Build and manage the origin network — carriers, NVOCCs, co-loaders, feeder operators, truckers and customs brokers — and partner with Procurement to secure space, performance and equipment during peak season;

• Be the bridge between China and the rest of Shypple — connecting local origin teams and suppliers with our European HQ (Rotterdam) and destination teams, and driving fast root-cause resolution when disruptions, congestion or customs holds hit;

• Safeguard performance and margin — monitor KPIs, job costing, file profitability and response times, and enforce SOP and compliance in line with ISO/AEO standards;

• Lead, coach and grow the teams — develop your Team Leads, stay close to the specialists on the ground, and drive digital adoption and clean data on Shypple's platform.

Requirements

What you bring

• 10+ years in sea freight forwarding with deep, hands-on expertise in China export operations (FCL/LCL), origin documentation, port procedures, and customs regulations;

• 5+ years leading operational teams and developing Team Leads in a fast-paced environment;

• A demonstrated record of improving operational processes and raising team performance — not just maintaining the status quo;

• An established operational network across the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta — carriers, co-loaders, truckers and shipping agencies;

• Native Mandarin and professional business English (written and spoken), with a proven ability to bridge local Chinese stakeholders and European HQ;

• An adaptable leadership style, calm under pressure, with a hands-on problem-solving mindset.
  

What we offer

• A key leadership role shaping Shypple's operational foundation and origin network in China;

• A collaborative, international, and informal work environment with short communication lines to executive management;

• Competitive package: Highly competitive salary with growth potential;

• Professional growth, including a dedicated annual personal development budget.

• The opportunity to help redefine freight forwarding by combining logistics expertise with modern technology.
  

Interested?

Apply via the button on our website, you'll hear from us within one week. If selected for the first round, we'll walk you through the next steps in our hiring process.

For questions regarding this role, please reach out to Sebastian Stamer via sebastian.stamer@shypple.com.