Job description
Our client, a leading multimodal logistics operator in Europe, is seeking an ambitious and experienced Head of Operations to lead their Budapest office. This is a pivotal role with clear progression to General Manager/Country Manager within 1-2 years for the right candidate.
The Budapest operation is a strategic hub for Central and Eastern European logistics, and this role offers the opportunity to revitalize and grow a well-established office with significant potential. As Head of Operations, you will lead a dynamic team of 5-7 professionals responsible for seamless transport operations across road freight and intermodal solutions. You’ll be instrumental in driving operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and most importantly volume growth.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of operations professionals including supervisors and internal forwarders
- Conduct performance appraisals and manage succession planning
- Foster a high-performance, collaborative team culture
Operational Excellence
- Oversee accurate and timely execution of all customer transport orders
- Optimize routing and utilization to maximize efficiency and profitability
- Ensure operations align with customer expectations and service level agreements
Growth & Commercial Support
- Monitor market trends and identify operational insights to support business development
- Enable scalable logistics and capacity planning for business expansion
- Support the commercial team with qualified leads and strategic input
Communication & Stakeholder Management
- Maintain effective relationships with customers, hauliers, and internal stakeholders
- Proactively manage delays, changes, or incidents with clear communication
- Ensure operational agreements with hauliers are confirmed in writing
Performance & Cost Management
- Monitor and report on volumes, revenue, and margin performance
- Submit weekly and monthly operational and financial reports
- Maximize margins through optimal use of Transport Management Systems
Essential Experience & Skills:
- 10+ years in road freight forwarding/3PL logistics
- 5+ years in a managerial/leadership role
- Proven track record in operational management and team leadership
- Excellent knowledge of the European transport and freight forwarding market
- Strong carrier network and industry relationships
- Fluent in Hungarian and English (proficient level required)
- Hands-on mentality with a solutions-oriented approach
- Positive, ambitious mindset with creative problem-solving skills
Desirable (Nice to Have):
- Experience with intermodal solutions (rail, shortsea)
- Commercial or account management background
- Third language (German or Russian preferred)
- Project management education
- Experience working in high-growth environments
What Makes You Stand Out
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Experienced with strong networks in the freight forwarding industry
- Hands-on and practical, someone who rolls up their sleeves
- Ambitious with a positive mindset, ready to build and grow
- Empathetic yet decisive as a leader
- Open-minded, creative, and flexible in approach
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive salary package (HUF 16-24 million, depending on experience)
- Company car and mobile phone for private use
- 28 days paid annual leave
- Retirement and parental leave benefits
- Clear path to General Manager/Country Manager role
Work Environment:
- Hybrid working model (maximum 2 days working from home)
- Friendly, cooperative, and informal company culture
- 10-15% travel (primarily to Netherlands and Belgium during onboarding)
- Part of a rapidly growing global logistics player
- Access to multimodal capabilities across road, rail, and shortsea
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under EU law and the laws of the respective EU member states.
Commitment to Diversity
Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected. We recognize and celebrate the cultural diversity across EU member states.
Reasonable Accommodations
Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with EU Directive 2000/78/EC and national laws of EU member states. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.
Compensation Information
For client positions, compensation information will be provided in accordance with applicable EU and national laws. When required by law, salary information will be included in job postings or provided during the recruitment process. We are committed to pay transparency and equal pay for equal work, in line with EU Directive 2006/54/EC and national laws on pay equity.
Compliance with Laws
Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with EU laws, directives, and regulations, as well as national laws of EU member states governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Workplace Harassment
Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on any protected characteristic under EU law and the laws of EU member states. This includes, but is not limited to, harassment based on race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, age, disability, or genetic information.
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We process personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable national data protection laws. For more information about how we collect and process personal data for recruitment and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.
Pay Equity
Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable EU and national laws.
Working Time and Leave
We comply with EU Directive 2003/88/EC concerning certain aspects of the organization of working time, as well as national laws of EU member states regarding working hours, rest periods, and leave entitlements.
Health and Safety
We are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment in accordance with EU Framework Directive 89/391/EEC on Safety and Health at Work and relevant national laws of EU member states.
Works Councils and Employee Representation
We respect the rights of employees to form and join works councils and other forms of employee representation in accordance with EU Directive 2009/38/EC and national laws of EU member states.
Country-Specific Declarations
While this policy provides a general framework applicable across the EU, it’s important to note that specific employment laws can vary significantly between EU member states. To ensure full compliance with local regulations, we make the following provisions:
Local Law Compliance: In addition to EU-wide regulations, we comply with all national laws and regulations of the specific EU member state where the employment takes place.
Country-Specific Addenda: For each EU country where we operate, we maintain country-specific addenda to this policy. These addenda outline any additional requirements, protections, or procedures mandated by national law that go beyond or differ from EU-wide standards.
Language Requirements: In countries where local law requires that employment policies be provided in the local language, we will make available a properly translated version of this policy and its country-specific addendum.
Notification of Applicable Laws: During the recruitment process, candidates will be informed of the specific national laws that apply to their potential employment, in addition to EU-wide regulations.
Regular Updates: We commit to regularly reviewing and updating our country-specific addenda to reflect any changes in national employment laws.
Precedence of National Law: Where national law provides greater protection or additional rights to employees beyond what is outlined in this general EU policy, the national law will take precedence.
Specific Declarations: Where required by national law, we will make specific declarations regarding matters such as:
- Pay transparency and gender pay gap reporting
- Working time arrangements
- Collective bargaining agreements
- Data protection and privacy measures
- Whistleblower protection mechanisms
- Any quota systems for underrepresented groups in employment
Access to Information: Employees and candidates can request information about the country-specific policies applicable to their employment or potential employment by contacting [email protected].
Genetic Information
In accordance with EU and national laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.
Local Laws
Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate within the EU.
Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location within the EU.
