Operations Executive – Logistics & Freight Forwarding

Pacific International Lines (PIL), one of the world's top 12 container shipping lines and the largest home-grown carrier in Southeast Asia, is seeking a driven and experienced Operations Executive to join its Nairobi team. This is a hands-on role at the heart of PIL's East African operations, responsible for coordinating daily logistics activities and ensuring cargo moves efficiently, compliantly, and on time across sea, road, and cross-border corridors.

If you have a solid background in freight forwarding, customs clearance, and East African trade corridors, and you thrive in a fast-paced, client-facing environment, this role offers the opportunity to grow with a globally respected shipping brand that serves over 500 locations worldwide.

• Manage end-to-end shipment processes from booking through to final delivery, ensuring timely execution at every stage.
• Handle sea freight, road freight, and cross-border operations across East and Southern African corridors.
• Liaise effectively with shipping lines, transporters, clearing agents, and clients to coordinate seamless cargo movement.
• Oversee customs clearance procedures for both local and transit cargo, ensuring full regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate warehousing activities including receipt, storage, and dispatch of cargo.
• Prepare, verify, and manage all shipping documentation including bills of lading, manifests, delivery orders, and customs entries.
• Track active shipments in real time and proactively update clients with accurate status reports.
• Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks, delays, and exceptions with urgency and professionalism.
• Monitor KPIs including shipment turnaround times, documentation accuracy, and client satisfaction scores.
• Ensure adherence to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regulations, transit bond procedures, and PIL's internal compliance standards.

• Demonstrate at least 3–5 years of hands-on experience in logistics, freight forwarding, or supply chain operations specifically within the Eastern Africa region.
• Navigate customs clearance processes confidently — both local import/export and transit shipments through Kenya and neighbouring countries.
• Apply working knowledge of East African road and transit corridors, including the Northern and Central corridors serving Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
• Coordinate multiple stakeholders simultaneously — shipping lines, truckers, KRA officials, port operators, and end clients — without losing accuracy or composure.
• Prepare and audit shipping documentation to near-zero error standards, understanding the downstream impact of documentation mistakes on cargo release timelines.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in both English and Swahili, written and spoken.
• Use logistics and shipping software, MS Office tools, and email platforms confidently to manage and report on operations.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

PIL offers a competitive remuneration package aligned with market rates for logistics professionals in Kenya. The estimated monthly gross salary for this role ranges from KES 80,000 to KES 150,000 depending on experience and qualifications. PIL as a global employer typically provides a structured benefits package to its staff.

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Exposure to international shipping operations across a global network
• Professional development within a leading global container line

Ideal candidate: You are a logistics professional with 3–5 years of freight forwarding or operations experience in East Africa. You know the Northern Corridor like the back of your hand, you have dealt with KRA and transit bond procedures, and you are comfortable juggling multiple active shipments without dropping the ball. You are bilingual in English and Swahili, detail-oriented, and client-focused.

Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 3 years of relevant logistics experience, have no exposure to East African cross-border or customs procedures, or are seeking a purely administrative or desk-based role with no operational accountability.

• Prepare an updated CV clearly highlighting your logistics and freight forwarding experience, including specific corridors and cargo types handled.
• Write a brief cover letter (no more than one page) explaining why your background makes you the right fit for this Operations Executive role at PIL.
• Submit your application through the PIL careers portal or the job platform where this posting is listed.
• No payment is required at any stage of the recruitment process. If asked to pay for certificates, assessments, or notarisation, report it immediately.