Director Global Logistics

Designation: Director, Global Logistics Location: Dubai, UAE Reporting to: COO About SUMWON STUDIOS SUMWON STUDIOS is a global brand house building, scaling and reimagining culturally relevant fashion, lifestyle and consumer brands. Our portfolio includes MISSGUIDED, SUMWON, BALR, Everlast, Baby Phat, Playboy, AiiRZ, KiZN, KSTM and 11SKNDS. In just a few years, we have grown from a start-up to one of the fastest-scaling brand platforms in the industry. Combining creativity, data, technology and an agile supply chain, we build brands designed to win in today’s digital-first world. We operate at the intersection of culture, commerce and innovation. Whether launching new brands, acquiring established ones, or unlocking growth opportunities across our portfolio, we move quickly, think globally and challenge conventional ways of working. The Role We sell through international marketplaces including Amazon, TikTok Shop and Zalando, alongside our own webshops, wholesale and licensing partners. As we expand into new channels and markets, we need a connected international logistics network that can serve multiple brands reliably and economically. As Director, Global Logistics, reporting to the COO, you will lead the build of our international 3PL network and own the group’s logistics function. Your remit runs from supplier collections in China through international freight, customs, regional warehousing, marketplace and DTC fulfilment, wholesale distribution, last-mile delivery and returns, across China, the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and India. This is a hands-on leadership role. In the build phase, you will personally lead partner selection, negotiations and operational set-up. As the network grows, you will build the team, systems and governance to deliver at scale. Initial priorities include launching BALR’s China 3PL, setting up US and European returns, and deciding the location of our US 3PL. Key Responsibilities Network strategy: design the global distribution model, including China consolidation, regional inventory and shared fulfilment across marketplaces, DTC and wholesale. Turn commercial plans into capacity, milestones and investment cases, with a multi-year roadmap and a 12-month delivery plan. 3PL partnerships: lead the full procurement cycle, from RFQs and due diligence to negotiation, contracting and onboarding. Set clear SLAs, transparent pricing and a consistent partner scorecard, and hold providers accountable for performance. Financial ownership: own logistics budgets and cost-to-serve reporting by market, brand and channel. Work with Finance and Commercial to test channel economics before launch, and improve margin through stock placement, freight consolidation and negotiation. Omnichannel and international trade: establish fulfilment for Amazon, TikTok Shop, Zalando and our webshops, and build local returns processes that get saleable stock back on sale quickly. Direct China-origin freight across air, ocean and multimodal, and set up customs and importer-of-record arrangements with specialist advisers. Inventory visibility and systems: work with Technology and partners to connect warehouse systems, marketplaces and webshops. Establish reliable order routing, stock synchronisation and inventory controls, so stock can be allocated across channels without overselling. Leadership and risk: build and lead a lean logistics team, align Marketplace, E-commerce, Wholesale, Planning, Finance and Technology around one delivery plan, and put business continuity plans in place for provider, freight and systems disruption. Success measures: own delivery of priority launches, on-time dispatch and delivery, order and inventory accuracy, returns turnaround and recovery, cost-to-serve, landed costs and budget performance. What We’re Looking For 12+ years in logistics, supply chain, distribution or fulfilment, including at least 5 years in senior leadership. A strong track record of building or transforming multi-country 3PL networks. Practical knowledge of China-origin supply chains and US and European logistics, across marketplaces, DTC and wholesale, including high-volume, high-SKU operations and returns. Proven ownership of substantial logistics budgets, partner negotiations and service performance, with measurable commercial results. Strong knowledge of international freight, customs, importer-of-record arrangements, landed costs and cross-border trading. Experience implementing inventory controls and warehouse, order and marketplace integrations with technology teams. Comfortable working hands-on with incomplete information, setting priorities and taking ownership of outcomes. Nice to have: fashion or apparel fulfilment, direct work with Chinese manufacturers and logistics providers, cross-border marketplace models, Amazon Pan-EU FBA, India imports, European VAT, UAE free-zone structures, and Mandarin. What we’ll bring 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after your first year 30% employee discount across SUMWON STUDIOS brands Ongoing learning and development opportunities Company social events The opportunity to work with a high-performing team building brands at global scale Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to build the logistics function behind an international multi-brand portfolio from the ground up. You’ll work directly with the COO, take real ownership, and shape the decisions that open new markets and drive profitable growth. Show more Show less