Manzur Ahmed Chowdhury
Dhaka
Summary
Results-oriented Freight Forwarding Professional with over 16 years of experience in customer service, sales, operations, pricing, and process implementation. Expertise in designing and implementing operational infrastructures that meet customer needs in both single and multi-agent environments. Capable of translating business requirements into logistical services that align with company objectives and enhance all phases of logistics management.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Country Sea Freight Manager
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics GmbH & Co. KG
07.2014 - Current
- Development of the Sea Freight Product
- Collaborated with the CM and the RSFM to manage a joint P&L for the country.
- The CSFM has the authority up to defined levels to agree local Carrier Contracts and pricing to major clients. Such pricing decisions to be informed and discussed with local RSFM, CM, and overseas partners. Support Global Carrier strategy as laid down by theGSFM.
- Together with the CM/BM support Sales and development of major accounts within the Country.
- Cultivated strong relationships with carriers to secure optimal market conditions that support client needs and trade growth.
- Ensure adherence to Tier 1 Carrier policy and monitor Carrier Budget agreements.
- Create strong awareness of market and trade developments within the country and inform CM's accordingly.
- Participated fully in the annual budget process and monitored performance, setting volume targets, trade initiatives, SF investments, and new activities.
- Collaborated with the CM/BM to establish strong operational setups in the country and its branches.
- Promoted training initiatives to enhance operational expertise and ensure compliance with regulatory bodies and HWL SF operating directives.
- Ensure that local SF Management is aware of HWL product solutions andIT developments and initiatives.
- Coordinated with local management to maximize advantageous credit terms from carriers.
- Developed strategies for land transport and contract logistics to align with overall business objectives.
- Ensure strong bilateral relations both within the region and to other regions.
- Direct Reporting : Chief Operating Officer (BD) Managing Director (BD) Dotted Reporting: Regional Vice President Sea freight
- Hellmann Worldwide Logistics GmbH & Co. KG is a logistics services company with its head office in Osanbrück, Germany. In 2000 the company had 300 offices located on five of the six inhabited continents. It is a family-owned company. The company's European office is in Osanbrück
Sales Manager
APL Logistics (Bangladesh) Pvt. Ltd.
03.2014 - 07.2014
- Transferred to sales department to enhance local and VL sales strategies.
- Reported operational progress and challenges to logistics director to align on solutions.
- APL Logistics one of world leading Logistics Company offers a full range of supply chain services (3PL) that reduce costs and increase profit potential. APL Logistics bundle and integrate comprehensive services to meet customer's unique requirements.
Customer Service Manager
APL Logistics (Bangladesh) Pvt. Ltd.
11.2011 - 03.2014
- Customer service consistency: Motivated and monitored customer service team activities alongside service integrity team to reduce operational failures and claims, ensuring consistent output to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Staff management and development: Cultivated strong relationships with teammates, provided support during crises, and fostered a collaborative environment to enhance employee retention and facilitate effective job delegation.
- Developed succession plans to ensure employee growth and retention.
- Strategic initiatives: Identified and implemented new initiatives to motivate staff and launched business strategies that contributed to increased revenue.
- Collaborated with the development and service integrity team to identify alternative options and implement new methods for achieving local cost savings.
- Risk Mitigation Plan: Review the Organizational and Operational Risk regularly and ensure all smoothly runs under effective corporate governance. Follow up with the respective team to keep the country outstanding and claim settled within corporate guideline.
- Effective Corporate Governance: It is important to go through and have a sound knowledge on corporate compliance or study if there is any changes or implementation. Accordingly guide team to be in line with Compliance with financial, regulatory and legal requirements per Corporate Policies.
- Reorganized and restructured the Vendor Logistics department to meet the Country VL sales budget revenue and enhance the Country sales budget contribution.
- Maintained strong relationships with all relevant factory personnel and assisted in the smooth execution of shipments to explore new business opportunities and strengthen the country local business budget.
- Review CFS Plan and Dhaka Console Option: Maintaining the operational consistency as per the customer's requirement is one of vital areas to focus, any irregularity or exception noticed that need to be rectify with priority so that it will not impact on the day to day operation. In line with increase of volume setting up alternate CFS at Chittagong is also in my KPI.
- Reporting: Logistics Director
Unit Head – Customer Service & Operation
SDV Bangladesh Pvt. Ltd
12.2009 - 10.2011
- Setup overall process and design to have effective CustomerService, obtain customer's satisfaction with better service in local import market.
- Coordinated collaboration between operations and customer service teams to achieve service excellence.
- Close communication with the off-dock operators to implement seamless operation maintaining different SOP.
- Monitored overall operations in the Sea Freight Department according to the effective process outlined by the SDV Head Quarter in France.
- Exercise in minimizing the cost in export operation, import documentation issue to increase the gross margin.
- Cost and revenue analysis for Project Cargo and prepare the invoice accordingly to achieve maximum gross margin.
- Monitored import, export, and customs clearance costs and revenues to ensure budget compliance each month.
- Developed and executed regular visit plans to co-loaders, shipping lines, shippers, and buying offices to gather market information, strategise for future initiatives, and negotiate competitive rates for both export and import to support the sales team in securing new business.
- Maintain the tender desk to assist local sales and overseas sales team on timely manner and help them to procure new biz.
- SDV (Currently known as Bollore Logistics) is worldwide- know-and-leading group specialized in international freight forwarding transportation and logistics of French origin and now operating in 106 countries which belongs to Bollore' Group. Specialists in all areas of transportation and logistics provides customized solutions using most advanced technologies. SDV expertise lies on in-house built-in efficient IT systems, a reactive and reliable international network and close relationship with the major operators of international transportation.
- Reported directly to Chief Executive Officer: Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh
Senior Executive – Customer Service
Expolanka Bangladesh Pvt. Ltd
10.2006 - 11.2009
- Handled ex works, sea/air, and sea shipments, ensuring timely delivery of services.
- Communicated with customers and suppliers to expedite merchandise movement through supply chain.
- Facilitated collaboration among team members to enhance workflow efficiency.
- Shipment follows up with the operation and ensures space and equipment availability before cargo is loaded.
- Updated daily status reports for customers based on unique requirements.
- Prepared shipment reports based on customer requirements.
- Prepared SOP/LP based on customer requirement.
- Assisted in reporting duties as General Manager of Sea Freight.
- Expolanka Bangladesh a Sri Lanka based a fast-leading NVOCC freight forwarding company (Currently Known as Expo Freight Ltd.) for ocean and air shipment in Bangladesh as well as other 16 countries under own office and operating business globally under agency ship of different freight forwarder.
Customer Service Representative
APL Logistics (Bangladesh) Pvt. Ltd.
11.2002 - 09.2006
- Ensuring the overseas customers and the local vendor to keep them well informed of each shipment and solve if any issues arise.
- Teamed up with vendor and operation team to ensure compliance with customer requirements.
- Coordinated with operations team to oversee specific areas based on customer needs.
- Handled all aspects of LCL shipments for any destination.
- Guided the shipper in document preparation based on customer specifications.
- Provided regular updates to the operation manager on processes and operations.
- Oversaw the implementation and support of APLL's system related issues.
- Prepare the day-to-day report pre-requirement on various dimensions.
Customer Service (Part Time)
AMMS International
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Supported AMMS International, a fast-growing local freight forwarder, in shipping surveys and related transportation activities.
- Followed up on mail correspondence for full-time executive, facilitating issue resolution and managing rate-related matters with carrier/agent.
- Reporting: Operation Manager
Education
M.S.S. - Anthropology
University Of Chittagong
01-2002
B.S.S. (HONOURS) - Anthropology
University Of Chittagong
01-2000
H.S.C. -
Comilla
01-1995
S.S.C -
Comilla
01-1993
Skills
- Sea freight operations
- Freight forwarding
- Customs compliance
- Carrier negotiation
- Supply chain management
- Supply chain coordination
- P&L management
- P&L analysis
- Budget forecasting
- Budget planning
- Rate contracting
- Trade lane analysis
- Market intelligence
- Market development
- Data analytics
- Operational efficiency
- Performance monitoring
- Risk assessment
- Change management
- Department management
- Strategic planning
- Mentoring and coaching
- Customer relationship
- Leadership skills
- Leadership
Accomplishments
- Reduce employee turn over at APLL and in Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
- Acting as head to implement IWAY compliance in 2012 during my APLL time for consolidation point (CFS) and finally got approved with a score of 100 out of 100 during IWAY audit in 2014 conducted by IKEA.
- Launched Ranonc Motorbike (Suzuki) in 2014 and handled first 300 container of Suzuki motorbike in Bangladesh.
- Set up dedicated CFS/off-dock for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics at Chottogram in 2018. All sort of negotiation, contract and office set up conducted my myself with a significant cost saving.
- Again in 2018, in Hellmann Worldwide Logistics heading the IWAY compliance team for IKEA domestic land transport service and secured IWAY approval in 2020 based on IWAY audit in 2019 by IKEA.
Hobby
Building up interpersonal relationships, Maintain and develop relationships with key person in the industry, Gathering market and customer intel
Personal Details
- Father' Name : Late Abdul Hadi Chowdhury
- Mother's Name : Mrs. Mobashewra Akhter Chowdhury
- Place of Birth : Chittagong, Bangladesh
- DOB : Sunday, the 17th of December 1978
- Religion : Islam
- Marital Status : Married
- Present Address : Rakto Korobi, Flat# 9 (I) / 14 (R), Plot# J, Block#J, Mirpur-3, Dhaka -1216
- Permanent Address : 104 Chma Hill R/A, Sholashare East Nasirabad Chittagong-4209.
- Ph: 031-683555
Other Activity
- Executive committee member of student Alumni Department of Anthropology, University of Chittagong.
- Active life member of Dhaka Boat Club, Corporate Executive Club, Purbachal Boat Club, Sylhet Club, Shamshernagar Golf Club.
Custom
Reference: will provided following the requirement.
Timeline
Country Sea Freight Manager
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics GmbH & Co. KG
07.2014 - Current
Sales Manager
APL Logistics (Bangladesh) Pvt. Ltd.
03.2014 - 07.2014
Customer Service Manager
APL Logistics (Bangladesh) Pvt. Ltd.
11.2011 - 03.2014
Unit Head – Customer Service & Operation
SDV Bangladesh Pvt. Ltd
12.2009 - 10.2011
Senior Executive – Customer Service
Expolanka Bangladesh Pvt. Ltd
10.2006 - 11.2009
Customer Service Representative
APL Logistics (Bangladesh) Pvt. Ltd.
11.2002 - 09.2006
Customer Service (Part Time)
AMMS International
01.2000 - 01.2002
M.S.S. - Anthropology
University Of Chittagong
B.S.S. (HONOURS) - Anthropology
University Of Chittagong
H.S.C. -
Comilla
S.S.C -
Comilla