Charlene Teo
HEAD OF TRADE & NETWORK
Singapore
Summary
Head of Trade and Network Planning leads container shipping trade strategy, network design, and commercial planning for liner budgets and monthly P&L performance. Directs capacity, yield, pricing, and fixed- versus open-slot procurement to improve margin and support profitable network expansion. Coaches trade teams and aligns commercial offices with operational stakeholders on market and vessel-service decisions.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
HEAD, TRADE AND NETWORK PLANNING
TransLiner Pte
10.2024 - Current
- Own liner budget development and monitor monthly P&L performance and forecast.
- Direct space, capacity and yield management across the TransLiner long-, medium- and short-term cargo plans with commercial priorities.
- Lead revenue optimization, procurement cost efficiency, pricing and standardized P&L evaluation for fixed- and open-slot movements.
- Evaluate new markets, trade lanes, vessel services, agency structures and models to support profitable network expansion.
- Coach trade executives and managers while coordinating commercial offices and operational stakeholders.
HEAD OF CONTAINER SHIPPING
Legend Logistics Group
01.2021 - 03.2024
- Led cross-trade commercial activities and operations, developing growth in new services and emerging markets.
- Partnered with branch offices on yield management to improve container utilization, lifting performance and service outcomes.
- Managed fixed-slot purchases, performance reporting, variance analysis and commercial actions.
- Built team capability through active coaching, mentoring and development.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
China United Lines
03.2018 - 02.2021
- Developed Singapore SOC business and cultivated relationships with feeder companies.
- Researched route expansion and partnership opportunities, supported deployment proposals and managed regional agency performance.
- Led tender quotations and maintained stakeholder relationships across Malaysia, Yangon and Thailand.
ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRICING AND YIELD
United Arab Shipping Company
06.2014 - 07.2017
- Optimized Asia–Europe vessel assets through tactical pricing, utilization and space protection.
- Processed customer and tender rates while protecting margins; gathered intelligence on competitive rate actions.
- Designed performance reports and implemented corrective measures for vessel utilization and cargo contribution.
SENIOR ANALYST, GLOBAL NETWORK PLANNING
NYK Group
06.2012 - 06.2014
- Designed port rotations and vessel schedules to improve operational efficiency and reduce cost.
- Assessed capacity deployment and service feasibility across Oceania networks.
- Recommended vessel resizing, alliances, rotation changes, slot purchase and termination based on profitability analysis.
SPECIALIST, FEEDER OPERATIONS PLANNING
APL Co Pte
05.2001 - 05.2012
- Managed feeder planning, slot exchange agreements, vessel routing, integrity and slot costing.
- Negotiated improved partner rates, reconciled operational and financial data, evaluated owned-versus-partner service utilization.
- Executed contingency plans for delays, breakdowns, port strikes and disruption to maintain continuity and minimize cost.
- Supported routing and yield systems, revenue/cost verification and stakeholder groups.
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR, ASIA–AMERICA MARKETING
NYK
10.1999 - 04.2001
- Managed Transpacific rate requests, market-based FAK and name space protection and forecast consolidation.
- Coordinated with North Asia and Southeast Asia frontline offices on planning and destination requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Bradford
Singapore01-2001
Diploma - Business Administration
Temasek Polytechnic
Singapore01-2001
Skills
Trade Management
Network Planning & Optimization
Capacity and Space Management
Feeder and Slot Procurement
Crisis and Contingency Planning
Accomplishments
- Drove TransLiner's volume growth from 64,403 TEUs in 2023 to an estimated 88,224 TEUs in 2026, representing a 37.0% cumulative increase and approximately 11.0% CAGR.
- Oversaw trade and network strategies supporting more than USD 70 million in annual revenue budgets, balancing market share growth with profitability objectives.
- Led, coached, and developed a team of 8 trade and commercial professionals, enhancing capabilities in pricing, yield management, capacity planning, and network analysis.
- Directed vessel deployment, service restructuring, and port rotation optimisation initiatives to improve utilisation, service competitiveness, and network profitability.
- Implemented disciplined pricing, P&L evaluation, and capacity management frameworks to strengthen revenue quality and commercial decision-making.
- Negotiated carrier partnerships, feeder agreements, and slot procurement arrangements to secure capacity, maintain service reliability, and protect margins during periods of market volatility.
- Delivered strategic trade planning initiatives that aligned commercial objectives with operational execution, ensuring sustainable business growth and improved financial performance.
CAREER COVERAGE
- 25+ years in container shipping
- Asia–Europe, Oceania, Intra-Asia and Transpacific trades
- Commercial, pricing, network planning, procurement and operations leadership
Timeline
HEAD, TRADE AND NETWORK PLANNING
TransLiner Pte
10.2024 - Current
HEAD OF CONTAINER SHIPPING
Legend Logistics Group
01.2021 - 03.2024
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
China United Lines
03.2018 - 02.2021
ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRICING AND YIELD
United Arab Shipping Company
06.2014 - 07.2017
SENIOR ANALYST, GLOBAL NETWORK PLANNING
NYK Group
06.2012 - 06.2014
SPECIALIST, FEEDER OPERATIONS PLANNING
APL Co Pte
05.2001 - 05.2012
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR, ASIA–AMERICA MARKETING
NYK
10.1999 - 04.2001
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Bradford
Diploma - Business Administration
Temasek Polytechnic