Erwin James

Commercially driven logistics and sales professional with over 10 years of experience spanning customs compliance, global freight coordination, and high-value client account management. Currently managing a strategic portfolio of international key accounts at DP World, with a proven track record of securing 100% client retention, driving revenue growth, and aligning stakeholders. uncovering new business opportunities, navigating complex corporate relationships, commercial value. Looking for a Business Development Manager or Sales role.

Export Account Management (USA Control Tower) at DP World (2024-12 – Present)

• Manage a high-value international account portfolio, serving as the primary lead for commercial and operational delivery.
• Lead weekly KPI reporting and stakeholder alignment meetings with USA-based clients to resolve escalations.
• Drive account growth by collaborating with sales and operations to execute strategic cross-selling and upselling campaigns.

Air Freight Operations at C. Steinweg Logistics (2022-01 – 2024-11)

• Dealing with all airfreight Import & Export operations Nurtured commercial partnerships with airlines, freight forwarders, and end customers, resolving intricate service issues to insulate revenue streams and retain accounts.
• Diagnosed process gaps hindering customer experience and introduced targeted service improvements to streamline workflows.

Coffee Logistics & Commercial Coordinator at Spoondrift Co. Ltd (2021-01 – 2022-10)

• Managed global coffee supply chain relationships, overseeing contract execution, demand planning, and vendor evaluations.
• Negotiated commercial terms and logistics rates with vendors and third-party providers to enhance business margins.
• Achieved a reduction in logistics costs, strategic supplier negotiations, boosting profitability.

Senior Customs Entry Clerk at Customs Busters (2020-09 – 2021-12)

• Compliance Operations managed end-to-end import and export clearance across Air, Ocean, and Road modes, maintaining absolute alignment with national customs regulations.
• Port Coordination facilitated specialized WE and XE customs procedures and seamlessly coordinated Ocean shipment physical inspections at the Durban port.

Customs Entry Clerk at DHL (2018-01 – 2020-12)

• Executed high-volume, accurate import and export clearances utilizing Cargo-wise across Air, Road, and Ocean modes.
• Specialized in complex road freight border entries including RIT, RIB, Temporary Import, and Temporary Export legal procedures.

Airfreight & Commercial Operations Intern at DHL (2015-01 – 2016-12)

• Carrier Procurement Engaged directly with airline partners to negotiate spot-rates, secure container/cargo space, and arrange high-risk third-party and Dangerous Goods shipments. Embedded within the commercial pricing division, managing complex Request for Quotation pipelines and structuring internal tariff sheets.
• Transferred into the high-intensity export airfreight operations department to execute end-to-end routing, documentation, and carrier bookings and arranged supplier collections.

Online diploma in Ops & Business – Alison

NQF level 4 in National Certification in Logistics

Certificate in Account Management