Route Development Manager Reports to: Head of Ocean Freight DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is a leader in managing the flow of goods and information across global supply chains, utilizing air, ocean, and ground transportation, customs brokerage services, and dedicated warehousing and distribution centers. As part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading logistics provider with operations in over 220 countries, we are committed to excellence and growth.

Route Development Manager DHL Group ! In this pivotal role, you will Lead and execute Ocean Freight Route Development strategies, plans, and initiatives to drive profitable growth, optimize trade lane performance, and enhance network competitiveness across country, regional, or global scope. The role combines strategic route portfolio leadership with deep analytical expertise in trade lane development, route economics, market intelligence, and commercial-operational alignment.

The position acts as the primary focal point for identifying, evaluating, prioritizing, and implementing route opportunities while ensuring alignment between Sales, Pricing, Carrier Management, Gateway Operations, Product, and Customer Operations teams. The role is responsible for governing route development activities, driving execution of strategic initiatives, and enabling data-driven decision making that supports revenue growth, service excellence, and margin protection.

Route Development Strategy & Governance Lead the Route Development Management (RDM) agenda for assigned regions, countries, or trade lanes.

Translate regional and global route development priorities into actionable execution plans with explicit ownership, governance, milestones, and performance metrics.

Support regional and global route governance forums through data-based recommendations and decision-ready business cases.





Benchmark route development performance and implement scalable best practices across countries and teams.

Trade Lane Analysis & Route Economics Conduct advanced trade lane analysis utilizing market intelligence, customer demand trends, route economics, carrier capacity, gateway capabilities, and competitive benchmarks.

Analyze route performance indicators including: Paid-out quality

Service performance

Identify opportunities for network optimization, route redesign, consolidation improvement, and margin enhancement.

Develop and maintain route development dashboards, databases, scorecards, and performance reporting tools.

Commercial & RFQ Support Lead route development support for strategic RFQs, tenders, sector opportunities, and major customer pursuits.

Market demand analysis

Historical performance

Gross profit analysis

Provide route development expertise supporting customer value propositions and growth strategies.

Customer Operations and Control Towers

Business Intelligence and Finance teams

Implementation and Project Management teams Ensure route opportunities are operationally executable and aligned with network strategy and carrier capabilities.

Drive resolution of recurring route issues where commercial commitments, capacity, pricing, operational readiness, or customer requirements are misaligned.

Performance Improvement & Capability Building Low conversion performance

Poor service performance

Data quality issues Escalate structural issues affecting route performance, such as system gaps,



network bottlenecks, capacity shortages, or conflicting customer commitments.

Support capability development across Route Development Management teams through coaching, analytical standards, governance processes, and digital-first working methods.

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to route development specialists and cross-functional stakeholders.

Regional and Country Air Freight Leadership

Sales and Commercial Leadership

Customer Operations and Control Towers

Finance and Business Intelligence Teams

Implementation Teams

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Economics, Transportation, or related field.

6+ years of experience in Ocean Freight, Network Design, Route Development, Trade Lane Management, Pricing, Carrier Management, or related logistics functions.

Demonstrated experience managing complex route development initiatives and cross-functional projects.

Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across commercial and operational organizations.

Self-starter with excellent planning and organizing skills who is willing to share knowledge and expertise.

Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies.

Knowledge of Word, Excel, and Power Point

Fluent in English; knowledge of other languages is a definite plus.

Salary Range: CAD $90-110k base salary +15% Bonus + full benefits.

DHL Global Forwarding is committed to equal employment opportunities, evaluating all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Use of Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) is not used in the screening, evaluation, or selection of candidates for this position.

📌 Head of Acquisitions & Development (Mississauga)
🏢 DHL Global Forwarding
📍 Mississauga