Sinethemba Mali
Durban
Summary
Ocean freight and integrated logistics professional with more than 10 years of experience across customer operations, freight forwarding, export execution, customs compliance, commercial account management and service recovery. Brings hands-on end-to-end shipment knowledge together with experience coordinating cross-functional teams, managing escalations, monitoring service performance, supporting profitability, and driving customer retention and growth. Well positioned to transition into an Ocean Freight Operations Manager role requiring operational discipline, regulatory awareness, customer focus and continuous improvement.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Local Client Manager - Automotive
Maersk
12.2023 - Current
- Manage contractual automotive customers and coordinate ocean, air freight, inland transportation, customs, warehousing and integrated logistics stakeholders to support reliable end-to-end service delivery.
- Engaged senior customer and internal stakeholders to align priorities, identify improvement opportunities, and facilitate support for long-term growth.
- Developed customer business plans to enhance retention, drive revenue growth, increase share of wallet, and promote adoption of integrated logistics solutions.
- Lead tenders, quotations and commercial negotiations for Ocean and Logistics & Services opportunities, balancing customer requirements, operational feasibility and commercial outcomes.
- Act as a senior customer contact for operational exceptions, working with customer experience, product, procurement, implementation and operations teams to resolve issues and strengthen service resilience.
- Monitored account performance through business reviews, contract adherence, forecasting, compliance discussions, issue escalation, and structured improvement actions to ensure alignment with customer expectations.
- Coordinate handover and implementation readiness following commercial awards, clarifying ownership and supporting a controlled transition into live operations.
Customer Success Partner
Maersk
08.2021 - 11.2022
- Supported customer retention and business implementation by identifying growth opportunities through mini-tenders and negotiations.
- Acted as escalation point for service delivery and collections issues, facilitating resolution through structured follow-up and collaboration across departments.
- Coordinated contracting and service delivery activities across Maersk products and international stakeholders to ensure seamless integration and alignment.
Customer Experience Partner
Maersk
12.2018 - 07.2021
- Applied root-cause analysis to recurring service issues, collaborating with teams to enhance processes and optimise customer outcomes.
- Managed customer shipments end to end, ensuring timely updates and resolving operational exceptions to uphold service commitments.
- Maintained cost-conscious service solutions while sharing operational best practices and contributing to team objectives.
Exports Controller
Santova Logistics
03.2016 - 11.2018
- Prepared and managed export documentation, including phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin, EUR.1, and SADC documentation, facilitating smooth customs processes.
- Executed end-to-end export shipments, ensuring compliance with documentation, customs clearance, costing, and invoicing processes.
- Processed cargo dues and shipping-line payments, coordinating collection of transport documents to ensure timely shipment execution.
Line Operator
VW (Mzansi Truck & Bus)
02.2015 - 02.2016
- Operated and monitored production machinery, conducted quality checks, performed basic maintenance, and supported achievement of daily production targets.
- Followed production schedule to achieve set time scales and quality standards.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve production targets, contributing to a cohesive and productive work environment.
- Collaborated with team members and supervisors to resolve operational issues while adhering to health, safety, and quality standards.
- Followed health and safety procedures to minimise risk of injury.
Entry Clerk / Controller Assistant
Santova Logistics
08.2014 - 01.2015
- Documentation Processing: Prepare, verify, and enter data for bills of entry, commercial invoices, packing lists, and manifests into customs software systems.
- Tariff Classification & Valuation: Apply correct Harmonized System (HS) tariff codes, determine accurate product valuations, and calculate applicable duties and VAT.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all shipments comply with national and international trade laws, import/export restrictions, and tax regulations.
- Coordinated logistics documentation and shipment control to ensure timely processing and compliance.
- Handling Stops and Inspections: Manage customs detentions, physical examinations, and stop notes by submitting required query documents to authorities until cargo is released.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Liaise with freight forwarders, shipping lines, clients, and statutory bodies (such as Port Health, veterinary services, or police) to resolve delays and secure permits.
- Record Keeping: Maintain precise filing systems and digital logs of all customs transactions, receipts, and declarations for auditing purposes.
- Corrections & Refunds: Process Vouchers of Correction (VOCs), handle duty refunds, and manage provisional payments or acquittals.
Education
Freight Forwarding & Customs Compliance -
School of Shipping
01-2017
Freight Forwarding & Customs Compliance -
School of Shipping
01-2016
National Diploma - Logistics
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
01-2013
Matric -
Muir College Boys High School
01-2007
Skills
- Ocean freight operations
- Freight forwarding
- Customs compliance
- Supply chain coordination
- Performance monitoring
- Process improvement
- Service improvement
- Commercial communication
- Stakeholder engagement
- Customer retention
- Customer growth
- Cross-functional coordination
- Escalation resolution
- Quality assurance
- Conflict resolution
- Continuous improvement
Custom
- Ocean freight operations
- Operational performance monitoring
- Customer escalation resolution
- Freight forwarding & export control
- Customs & regulatory compliance
- Process and service improvement
- Cross-functional coordination
- Customer retention & growth
- Commercial and cost awareness
Timeline
Local Client Manager - Automotive
Maersk
12.2023 - Current
Customer Success Partner
Maersk
08.2021 - 11.2022
Customer Experience Partner
Maersk
12.2018 - 07.2021
Exports Controller
Santova Logistics
03.2016 - 11.2018
Line Operator
VW (Mzansi Truck & Bus)
02.2015 - 02.2016
Entry Clerk / Controller Assistant
Santova Logistics
08.2014 - 01.2015
Freight Forwarding & Customs Compliance -
School of Shipping
Freight Forwarding & Customs Compliance -
School of Shipping
National Diploma - Logistics
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Matric -
Muir College Boys High School