Director of Project Forwarding

Director of Project Forwarding

EPC & Energy Sector Houston, TX

$140,000 – $175,000 Base + Bonus + Full Package

ABOUT

We are representing a privately held, European-founded specialist in project logistics and heavy freight forwarding with a network spanning 29 countries and a Houston presence since 2003.

They are not a generalist forwarder that dabbles in project cargo. This is what they do. Their entire operation is built around the movement of complex, high-value, time-critical freight for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction clients across the oil and gas, LNG, petrochemical, and offshore energy sectors. Their Houston office is their North American headquarters and sits at the centre of one of the most demanding project logistics markets in the world.

Their client roster includes major EPC contractors and OEMs operating across the Gulf Coast, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. They manage end-to-end project freight from fabrication yards to construction sites, covering breakbulk, out-of-gauge cargo, OCTG, heavy lift, hazardous materials, and time-critical air charter when the programme demands it.

The current Director is moving into a global advisory role within the group. This is a direct replacement at the top of the North American project forwarding operation, and the incoming person will inherit an established team, a strong client base, and a pipeline of active projects.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and oversee the full North American project forwarding operation, taking ownership of delivery, commercial performance, and client relationships across all active EPC and energy sector accounts.
• Act as the primary senior point of contact for EPC clients, OEM suppliers, and project procurement teams, managing relationships at a decision-maker level from bid stage through to project completion.
• Oversee the end-to-end planning and execution of complex project shipments including breakbulk, out-of-gauge, OCTG, hazardous cargo, heavy lift, and multi-modal project freight moving through the Port of Houston and Galveston.
• Drive business development activity within the EPC and energy sector, identifying new project opportunities, leading on tender responses, and converting pipeline into contracted revenue.
• Manage and develop a team of project logistics specialists, setting clear expectations, supporting technical development, and maintaining the operational standard the company's clients expect.
• Build and maintain carrier, port, and vendor relationships across ocean, air, and heavy transport modes, ensuring the company retains access to the capacity and specialist equipment that project cargo demands.
• Own the P&L for the North American project forwarding division, reporting directly into senior group leadership on financial performance, project margins, and commercial pipeline.
• Ensure full compliance with U.S. export control regulations, hazmat and IMDG requirements, CBP requirements, and any project-specific regulatory obligations across all active files.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• A minimum of ten years of experience in international project freight forwarding or project logistics, with at least five of those years spent directly servicing EPC, oil and gas, or energy sector clients.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-modal project shipments including breakbulk, OOG, heavy lift, and hazardous cargo across international trade lanes.
• Strong existing relationships within the EPC contractor and energy sector community in Houston and the broader Gulf Coast market.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team in a high-pressure, deadline-driven project environment.
• Commercial experience including tender preparation, pricing strategy, and margin management at a divisional or senior manager level.
• Deep working knowledge of the Port of Houston, Port of Galveston, U.S. export regulations, IMDG, and the specific compliance landscape governing energy sector project freight.
• Experience with CargoWise or equivalent freight management systems used in a project logistics environment.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as active projects require.

WHAT'S ON OFFER

• Base salary of $140,000 to $175,000 dependent on experience.
• Performance-related bonus tied to divisional P&L and commercial targets.
• Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
• Direct influence over the strategic direction of the North American operation with full group backing and resource.
• A genuinely specialised business with a strong reputation in a market where reputation is everything.

Confidential Search | Placed by Altius Talent

Send your CV to lewis.wilson@wearealtius.com or message directly on LinkedIn. All applications handled in strict confidence.