Country Manager

Country Manager – Brazil (Logistics & Supply Chain)

Location:

São Paulo, Brazil (with frequent travel as needed)

About the Role:

We are building our logistics presence in Brazil from the ground up and are looking for a hands-on Country Manager to lead this new chapter. This is not a routine operational role — it is a startup-like, builder role for an experienced logistics professional who knows how to set up local entities, secure key partnerships, and deliver end-to-end freight and supply chain solutions to enterprise customers.

You will be responsible for the full P&L, business development, and operational setup in Brazil, with a clear focus on cross-border freight forwarding, warehousing, and customs clearance, rather than last-mile delivery operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy & Business Planning

Develop and execute the Brazil market entry and growth strategy, aligned with global objectives. Own the local P&L, including revenue, profit, cost, and cash flow targets.

• Market Entry & Local Entity Setup

Lead the end-to-end establishment of our legal entity, including company registration, tax registration, and banking setup. Build the local team from scratch.

• Business Development & Client Acquisition

Identify and acquire key clients, particularly Chinese manufacturing, EV, and cross-border e-commerce companies expanding into Brazil. Lead commercial negotiations and tailor supply chain solutions for high-value B2B clients.

• Customs & Regulatory Compliance

Navigate Brazil’s complex customs and tax environment. Leverage or build strong relationships with licensed customs brokers, regulatory bodies, and government agencies to ensure compliant and efficient import operations.

• Operational Setup & Resource Integration

Set up warehousing and distribution hubs. Identify, vet, and manage local partners including freight forwarders, trucking companies, and customs clearance agents. Build a vendor performance management system.

• Risk Management

Monitor geopolitical, regulatory, and operational risks. Develop contingency plans for strikes, port congestion, and border disruptions.

• Team Leadership

Recruit, train, and lead a multicultural local team. Foster a performance-driven culture while ensuring compliance with local labor and employment laws.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Logistics, Supply Chain, International Trade, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of work experience, with at least 5 years in a senior logistics, freight forwarding, or supply chain management role.
• Proven experience in setting up operations in emerging or complex markets – experience in Brazil or Latin America is highly preferred.
• Deep understanding of international freight forwarding, warehousing, and customs brokerage.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated ability to manage P&L and deliver business results.
• Fluent in English (working language). Proficiency in Portuguese is a strong plus.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication and negotiation skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally and work in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

What We Are NOT Looking For:

This role is not focused on last-mile parcel delivery or consumer courier services. Candidates whose primary expertise is in domestic express delivery / final-mile operations are not a good fit for this position.