Country Manager

Purpose

We are seeking an experienced Country Manager, based in Paris area, to lead our operations across France with two key branch offices located in Paris and Le Havre. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing a team of approximately 13 full-time employees and will hold full P&L accountability for France. This role requires a dynamic leader with a transformational mindset, who can drive our company’s strategic initiatives and ensure operational excellence in a competitive market. France is a strategic focus point for further growth within the region. We are looking for a new Country Head to help us drive the business forward and meet the growth, profitability and cash flow objectives of the country operations.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement effective business strategies that align with the company's overall objectives. Lead the strategic planning and execution to enhance growth, profitability, productivity, and efficiency throughout the company's operations; managing the country level pricing, customer service, and general operations, leading the country management team and dotted line leadership of the support/administrative and commercial functions. Build a strong and constructive working relationship with the country’s works council.
• P&L Management: Oversee the full profit and loss responsibilities for the two branches. Monitor performance and financial objectives, ensuring that activities are aligned with the broader financial goals of the organization.
• Team Management: Lead, motivate, and develop teams and create a high-performance culture. Foster a culture of accountability, DEI, professional growth, and customer-focused innovation. Create an safe and inspiring work environment.
• Operational Excellence: Ensure the efficient and effective management of operations and resources. Streamline processes to maximize quality and efficiency and improve service delivery.
• Commercial drive and Client Relations: Maintain strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders. Act as the face of the company in negotiations and at public events, enhancing the company's presence and reputation. Work with the commercial teams and operations in FedEx Cooperation to support the business strategy and jointly create new solutions to grow FedEx in France.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations.
• Reporting and Analysis: Regularly analyze market trends and provide comprehensive reports on branch performance, market conditions, and challenges, with a strategic plan for growth and improvement

Qualifications, experience and competencies

• Bachelor’s degree/equivalent in Logistics, or related field
• Ten years business experience, preferably in international transportation, commercial air- and/or ocean freight industry, or related area, including management experience
• Understands the role technology, digitalization and AI play in the industry since it is critical to strategic success.
• Strong understanding of French labor law
• Strong Management, human relations and communications skills
• Proficiency in English, additional languages relevant to the location are a plus
• Demonstrate the ability to initiate, adjust and manage changing conditions, processes and other developments that require a shift from previous approaches to new approaches
• Effective manage expectations, communicates in ways that help people to understand short and long term realities;
• Fosters a climate of trust and respect;
• Effective at motivating and inspiring others;
• Shares knowledge and expertise with others;
• Hands on approach which fits to the culture of the organization;
• Demonstrated leadership, people and process management skills;
• Excellent verbal, written and visual/presentation communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a matrix environment – must work well across multiple units across the company;
• Both team builder and team player;
• Proven negotiations skills;
• Excellent planning and organizational skills;
• Familiar with RFP/RFQ processes;
• Fully on board with core company competencies around people focus and ethical working practices.