Freight & Logistics Controller

Job description:

Purpose of the Job

The Senior Freight & Logistics Controller is responsible for driving financial performance across Freight and Logistics operations across KSA through effective revenue control, cost management, budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis. The role acts as a strategic business partner to commercial and operational teams, providing financial insights and recommendations that support informed decision-making, margin improvement, and sustainable business growth.

Job Description

1. Revenue Recognition & Validation
• Lead and oversee timely and accurate revenue recognition across Freight and Logistics operations, ensuring compliance with corporate policies, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Drive the review and validation of accruals, billing accuracy, revenue assurance processes, and identification of potential revenue leakages.
• Partner with operational leadership to ensure completeness, accuracy, and integrity of shipment data, revenue estimates, and financial reporting inputs.
• Establish and continuously improve revenue control mechanisms to enhance financial accuracy and minimize commercial risks.
2. Cost & Margin Controlling
• Lead comprehensive cost and profitability analysis across freight and logistics activities, including supplier invoices, outsourced services, agent expenses, and overhead allocations.
• Monitor and challenge margin performance across products, customers, trade lanes, and service offerings, providing actionable recommendations to improve profitability.
• Identify and drive margin enhancement initiatives through cost optimization, productivity improvements, pricing support, and commercial performance reviews.
• Provide strategic insights into cost drivers and profitability trends to support informed business decisions.
3. Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting
• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes for Freight and Logistics operations.
• Develop and present monthly performance reports, financial dashboards, KPIs, and variance analysis to senior management and regional leadership teams.
• Proactively identify financial risks, opportunities, and emerging business trends, providing recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecasting accuracy, financial visibility, and performance management processes.
4. Business Partnering
• Act as a trusted Finance Business Partner to Freight, Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Commercial leadership teams.
• Provide financial leadership and analytical support for pricing strategies, customer tenders, network optimization initiatives, routing decisions, and supplier negotiations.
• Influence commercial and operational decision-making through data-driven insights, profitability analysis, and strategic recommendations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment between financial objectives and business growth initiatives.

Job Requirements - Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Logistics, or related field.

• Professional certification (CMA, ACCA, CPA) is a plus.

• 8 years of Experience in finance, ideally in freight/logistics operations.

• At least 3 years in a controlling or FP&A role.

• Strong knowledge of freight/logistics costing models.

• Solid understanding of revenue recognition principles and IFRS.

• Excellent analytical and financial modeling capabilities.

• Experience with cost allocation, route costing, and yield analysis.

• Advanced Excel, ERP systems (SAP/CW), and BI tools.

Leadership Behaviors Building Outstanding Teams Setting a clear direction Simplification Collaborate & break silos Execution & Accountability Growth mindset Innovation Inclusion External focus Skills Attention To Details Communication Skills Critical Thinking Data Analysis Decision Making Financial Acumen Financial Analysis Problem Solving Stakeholder Management Strategic Thinking Team Leadership