Senior Director, Network Operations & Investment Controlling, APEC

DHL Express – Connecting People Through Quality and Exceptional Service

DHL Express is the world’s leading international express services provider, operating in more than 220 countries and territories. We are focused on delivering quality, customer value and sustainable business growth, while creating a workplace where people can learn, grow and contribute.

The Senior Director, Network Operations & Investment Controlling, APEC acts as the regional finance partner for Network Operations across APEC. The role provides financial leadership, business challenge and decision support to drive cost discipline, productivity improvement, robust planning and sound investment decisions.

The role focuses on regional controlling oversight for Operations cost and productivity, including Ground Operations, Gateways, Customs and Hubs from a performance management perspective. It partners closely with countries, Hub Finance, Operations, Procurement, IT, Real Estate and Global teams to support transparent performance management, practical improvement actions and strong investment governance.

YOUR TASKS

1. Network Operations Controlling

• Partner with regional and country Operations and Finance teams to drive cost discipline, productivity and financial performance across APEC.
• Provide regional controlling oversight for Operations cost, including Ground Operations, Gateways, Customs and Hubs from a performance management perspective.
• Review and challenge cost, FTE, productivity and volume assumptions to ensure clear linkage between operational drivers and financial performance.
• Provide clear analysis, challenge and recommendations to support management decisions and improvement actions.
• Support regional deep dives and country action plans to address performance gaps and cost opportunities.
• Promote consistent reporting, definitions and performance transparency across countries and operational areas.

2. Planning, Forecasting & Target Setting

• Lead the regional AOP, forecast and planning process for Network Operations cost and productivity.
• Review country submissions, including volume, cost, productivity, FTE and operational assumptions.
• Set, review and challenge regional Operations cost and productivity targets.
• Provide financial input into regional Network Operations strategies, business plans and improvement programmes.
• Ensure material cost, productivity and target gaps are clearly explained, with practical actions identified and tracked.

3. Cost, Productivity & Business Partnering

• Identify and challenge cost opportunities across Operations, including FTE, service partner cost, vendor cost, and process efficiency.
• Partner with Operations, Commercial, Pricing, Procurement, IT, Countries, Hub Finance and Global teams to assess financial impact before major decisions are made.
• Support business decisions with practical financial analysis and clear recommendations.
• Translate operational performance issues into financial insights for regional and country management.
• Drive stronger focus on action tracking, not only variance explanation.

4. Investment Controlling & BCA Governance

• Lead the regional Investment Controlling portfolio for APEC, including BCA review, capital expenditure proposals, leases and major operational investments.
• Review financial assumptions, business benefits, risks, affordability, payback and compliance with approval requirements.
• Coordinate the financial review process with Operations, IT, Legal, Tax, Treasury, Procurement, Real Estate, Countries and Global stakeholders where required.
• Provide recommendations to management on investment proposals, including whether to support, challenge, revise or escalate.
• Oversee post-approval governance, including project status reporting, benefit tracking, overruns, scope changes and post-completion reviews.
• Build BCA capability across APEC through guidance, standards, coaching and knowledge sharing.

5. Standards, Improvement & Team Leadership

• Strengthen regional standards for Operations controlling and Investment Controlling across APEC.
• Champion standardisation, digitalisation and best practice sharing to improve cost visibility, productivity tracking and decision making.
• Support regional projects and initiatives that improve performance transparency, investment quality and financial discipline.
• Lead and develop the team, ensuring clear priorities, strong engagement and high-quality delivery.
• Act as a trusted finance advisor who can challenge constructively while maintaining strong working relationships across functions and countries.

YOUR PROFILE

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Finance, Business or equivalent.
• Professional accountancy qualification preferred, such as CPA, ACCA, CA or equivalent.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant finance experience, preferably in operations finance, business controlling, investment controlling, FP&A or regional finance.
• At least 5 years of people leadership experience, with strong exposure to senior stakeholder management.
• Strong understanding of logistics operations, preferably Ground Operations, Gateway, Customs and Hubs.
• Strong experience in planning, forecasting, performance management, variance analysis and management reporting.
• Strong business case, investment appraisal and financial modelling skills.
• Good understanding of capital expenditure, leases, project governance, approval processes and benefit tracking.
• Able to challenge business assumptions constructively and provide practical recommendations.
• Strong analytical, communication and presentation skills.
• Confident working across countries, functions and cultures in a regional environment.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; Power BI or digital reporting experience would be an advantage.
• Organised, hands-on and able to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines.
• High level of ownership, integrity and business judgement.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Career development with a global market leader internationally.
• Comprehensive learning and development programs.
• Inclusive workplace culture.
• Competitive benefits and wellness initiatives.

DHL is an equal opportunity employer. We reject any form of discrimination. The basis for employee selection at DHL Group is qualification, performance, skills and experience Recruitment Fraud Alert: DHL Express Singapore will never request payment or personal/financial information from applicants or employees at any stage of the recruitment process. Any such request should be treated as fraudulent. All email correspondence will be sent from the official DHL domain e.g. Sign in to view email. Protect yourself by verifying job offers and communications. Your safety is important to us.