Perishables Operational Care Specialist

It's more than a job

As a member of the Freight Forwarding team Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling our customers' promises. And by transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine.

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We are seeking an Air Logistics Perishables Operational Care Specialist to join our team!

As a dedicated Perishables Specialist, you will be a key contact for our perishable customers, who rely on your expertise and experience to get their precious cargo from A to B. From stone fruit to live fish, no two days within the export airfreight team will be the same.

As the successful candidate, you will have a minimum of 2 years export airfreight experience, a can‑do attitude, and a passion for delivering customer excellence.

How you create impact

• Manage and perform all operational activities related to perishable export and import air logistics shipments across various trade lanes, including arranging bookings directly with airlines and suppliers
• Provide perishable customers with regular and accurate updates pertaining to their shipments
• Manage perishable customer feedback, complaints, and escalations with swift resolution to contribute to the overall delivery of customer excellence
• Monitor air logistics shipments, and follow up on all deviations, to ensure accurate and timely updates are visible in KN systems
• Generate and ensure that all documentation is completed as per company processes, customer and regulatory requirements and in a timely manner
• When required, secure buy rates as well as capacity with qualified carriers/partners
• Build relationships with various external parties including airlines, transport providers, and overseas offices/agents
• Ensure strong data quality is available for timely and accurate customer reporting
• Ensure cost awareness and efficiency are achieved during shipment creation, providing cost awareness and ensuring profit maximisation
• Maintain and share operational knowledge within the team where required
• Establish and strengthen operational relationships with customer base
• Monitor operational performance of other partners and escalate/create awareness if performance falls below expectations
• Ensure close collaboration and alignment with internal KN teams like warehouse, customs, CCI and RCC teams
• Support the Perishable Customer Team for most effective process execution and systems setup/automation, ensuring transparency of shipments situation and allocation
• Support the Perishable Customer Team on account implementation ensuring a smooth transition from sales to operations

What we would like you to bring

• Export airfreight experience – Minimum 2 years in airfreight operations, ideally with perishables.
• Customer orientation – Strong communication skills and a passion for delivering customer excellence.
• Problem‑solving ability – Capable of handling complaints, deviations, and escalations swiftly.
• Documentation knowledge – Familiarity with regulatory, customer, and company documentation standards.
• Carrier & supplier coordination – Experience arranging bookings and securing rates/capacity with partners.
• Team collaboration – Ability to work closely with internal teams (warehouse, customs etc)

What's in it for you

With over 82,000 employees at some 1,300 locations in over 100 countries, the Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics companies.

• We are proud to be a company that values the contribution our employees bring, and as such we provide some fantastic employee benefits;
• Flexible working arrangements
• Fully subsidised health insurance for yourself and immediate family
• Confidential EAP services
• Access to training, learning and development opportunities as well as career progression in a successful global organisation
• Social Club, flu vaccinations, birthday cakes, Christmas gift and more!
• Please note - we will only accept applications from those with current NZ working rights.

As an employer, Kuehne + Nagel stands for equal opportunity and we are committed to diversity in our teams. We believe that you can make a valuable contribution to Kuehne + Nagel and look forward to receiving your application.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.

We kindly advise that placement agencies refrain from submitting unsolicited profiles. Any submissions of candidates without prior signed agreement will be considered our property and no fees will be paid.