Logistics Lead (relocate to Vietnam)

Ajax Systems is an international tech company and the largest manufacturer of security systems in Europe, with over 4.5 million end users and 330K PRO users in more than 180 countries worldwide. The company offers end-to-end solutions for protecting homes and businesses оf any scale. To date, Ajax product portfolio includes 280 devices for intrusion protection, video surveillance, fire and life safety, and comfort and automation. The company employs 6,000+ specialists.

The company opened a manufacturing facility in Vietnam in 2025 and continues to expand ever since. We are actively growing both our capabilities and local presence. At the same time, the company's certification according to the ISO 14001 standard ensures a minimal impact of production on the environment. The selection of components for Ajax device manufacturing is determined by the presence of manufacturer declarations confirming compliance with RoHS requirements.

We are looking for a Logistics Lead who will manage and oversee daily end-to-end logistics operations, import/export processes, customs clearance, and domestic and international transportation for the manufacturing plant in Hung Yen.

Key Responsibilities:

A. Multimodal Operations & Shipment Execution

• Manage daily import, export, and domestic freight movements across air, ocean, and cross-border road transport.

• Oversee expedited cross-border trucking from China (via Huu Nghi / Lang Son border gates), ocean freight via the Hai Phong port cluster (Lach Huyen and Dinh Vu terminals), and air freight via Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).

• Build, execute, and monitor daily and weekly shipping schedules aligned with the Master Production Schedule (MPS) and global customer fulfillment commitments.

• Maintain end-to-end compliance for Dangerous Goods (DG) shipments, particularly lithium battery-powered products, enforcing UN38.3 test summaries, MSDS validity, IATA DGR, and IMO IMDG standards.

• Develop and maintain contingency protocols (contingency routing, modal shifts) to bypass border congestion, port disruptions, adverse weather, and peak-season capacity shortages.

B. Customs Compliance, EPE Operations & Báo Cáo Quyết Toán

• Ensure full compliance with Vietnamese customs regulations, specifically Circulars 38/2015/TT-BTC and 39/2018/TT-BTC governing Export Processing Enterprises (EPE).

• Supervise specialized regulatory inspection procedures (kiểm tra chuyên ngành) for electronic equipment, including Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) Declarations of Conformity, radio frequency (RF) type approvals, and import licensing for civil cryptography and cybersecurity systems.

• Manage the application and issuance of preferential Certificates of Origin (C/O) to optimize duty exposure under EVFTA (Form EUR.1), CPTPP, UKVFTA, and RCEP.

• Act as the lead technical representative during Post-Clearance Audits (Kiểm tra sau thông quan) and maintain professional relations with local customs branches (Chi cục Hải quan).

C. Carrier, 3PL & Partner Management

• Direct the day-to-day execution of freight forwarders, shipping lines, customs brokers, and domestic trucking providers.

• Enforce strict vendor SLA performance: On-Time Pick-up (OTP), On-Time Delivery (OTD), customs clearance lead times, and billing accuracy.

• Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and partner with the Supply Chain Manager during annual freight tenders, RFQs, and contract negotiations.

• Investigate and settle shipping discrepancies, transit damages, cargo losses, and carrier claims.

D. Landed Cost Control & D&D Minimization

• Oversee the operational logistics budget, monitoring actual spend on freight, customs brokerage, terminal handling, and accessorial charges against budget targets.

• Strictly minimize non-value-added costs: maintain zero tolerance for demurrage and detention (D&D) charges and port/airport storage fees through pre-clearance workflows, milestone monitoring, and extended free-time negotiations.

• Track landed cost per unit (freight, duties, and handling fees per component/SKU) and drive quarterly cost-reduction initiatives without compromising lead times.

E. Lean Logistics, Digitalization & Automation

• Apply Lean principles to eliminate waste (Muda) in transit times, documentation handoffs, and intermediate handling.

• Accelerate process digitalization by aligning data integration between the VNACCS/VCIS customs portal, enterprise ERP (SAP/1C), and external shipment visibility platforms.

• Standardize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and internal controls to eliminate declaration errors and discrepancies.

F. Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Lead, train, and balance workloads across the import, export, and customs clearance teams, fostering a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

• Provide transparent reporting to the Supply Chain Manager regarding customs bottlenecks, critical inbound shipments, audit readiness, D&D risk exposure, and vendor scorecards.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Foreign Trade, or related business fields.

• 5+ years of progressive operational experience in international freight forwarding, logistics, and customs clearance in Vietnam.

• At least 2-3 years in a leadership capacity (Supervisor, Team Lead, or Senior Operations Specialist) within a manufacturing environment.

• Mandatory: Direct operational experience working within an Export Processing Enterprise (EPE), preferably in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS), consumer electronics, or high-tech hardware.

Technical Competencies:

• Advanced proficiency in the VNACCS/VCIS customs declaration system and enterprise ERP/WMS platforms (SAP, Oracle, or 1C).

• Deep operational understanding of Vietnamese customs law, Circulars 38/2015 and 39/2018, Incoterms 2020, and HS code classification for complex electronic devices and assemblies.

• Direct experience handling China-Vietnam cross-border trucking (Lang Son / Pingxiang border corridors), Hai Phong port operations, and Noi Bai air cargo handling.

• Working knowledge of Dangerous Goods (DG) documentation for lithium-ion/metal batteries and MIC regulatory conformity testing procedures.

• Strong data analysis skills in Excel (advanced modeling, pivot tables) and BI tools for inventory reconciliation, customs data matching, and landed cost modeling.

Leadership & Soft Skills:

• High level of personal accountability, decisive execution under pressure, and structured problem-solving skills (5 Whys, 8D methodologies).

• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills across cross-functional internal teams, logistics vendors, and government authorities.

• Systems-oriented mindset committed to continuous audit readiness and meticulous attention to regulatory detail.

Language Proficiency:

• Vietnamese: Native speaker.

• English: Professional working proficiency (Upper-Intermediate / Advanced), capable of running business meetings, negotiating with international carriers, and reporting directly to foreign leadership

We offer:

• An opportunity to work in one of the most recognized and innovative security manufacturers.
• An opportunity to take on new challenges, advance your career, and make a meaningful impact.
• Opportunity to be part of a fast-paced and dynamic environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and the exploration of new ideas
• A zero bullshit culture