CEO – Korea Cold Chain & Logistics

About the Position

CEO – Korea Cold Chain & Logistics

Seoul, South Korea

Atlas NextWave is supporting a growing logistics business in Korea in the appointment of a senior CEO to lead its next stage of commercial and operational growth.

The business is building a significant presence in the Korean cold-chain market, with a portfolio of temperature-controlled logistics facilities and further expansion planned.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an executive who understands how to build occupancy, win customers, and grow a logistics business.

While the position carries full responsibility for the performance and operation of the business, the immediate focus will be on the commercial side: bringing new customers into existing facilities and securing future demand for additional capacity.

The successful candidate will be expected to bring a strong network of relationships across the Korean logistics and supply-chain market and be comfortable taking a direct role in business development and major customer negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commercial strategy for the Korean business, with a particular focus on increasing utilisation of existing cold-storage capacity.
• Build relationships at senior level with major warehouse users, including 3PLs, food and beverage companies, distributors, retailers, e-commerce businesses, and other organizations with temperature-controlled logistics requirements.
• Personally lead significant customer opportunities, from identifying potential occupiers through to commercial negotiation and contract award.
• Develop a forward pipeline of customers for facilities coming online in the future, including securing commitments before new capacity is acquired or developed.
• Establish the commercial proposition, pricing strategy, and customer offering for the business.
• Build and develop a high-performing sales and commercial team as the platform grows.
• Take overall responsibility for financial performance, including revenue, profitability, cash flow, and cost management.
• Ensure facilities operate to the required standards across safety, food quality, temperature control, and relevant Korean regulatory requirements.
• Lead the management team and develop the organizational structure required to support a growing multi-site operation.
• Work with the wider leadership team on the identification and assessment of new facilities and expansion opportunities.
• Support the onboarding and integration of new sites and businesses as the platform develops.
• Maintain strong relationships with customers, landlords, developers, industry partners, and relevant public-sector stakeholders.
• Represent the business at senior level within the Korean logistics and industrial community.

Requirements

• Significant senior-level experience within Korean logistics, warehousing, cold chain, or a closely related sector.
• A track record of running a sizeable business, business unit, or P&L rather than operating solely within a functional or support role.
• Strong knowledge of the Korean warehouse and cold-storage market.
• An established network of decision-makers across logistics, food, retail, distribution, e-commerce, or other sectors that use temperature-controlled facilities.
• Evidence of personally winning major customers or contracts, rather than simply managing a sales organization.
• A strong understanding of what drives warehouse occupancy, pricing, margins, and customer retention.
• Experience leading multi-site operations and managing senior teams.
• The commercial confidence to be directly involved in customer meetings and negotiations.
• Experience of business growth, acquisitions, new-site openings, or integration would be highly valuable.
• Strong financial understanding and the ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and a Board.
• Native or fluent Korean and strong professional English.

We Offer

• Opportunity to take genuine ownership of a growing Korean logistics business.
• Shape the commercial strategy, build the customer base, develop the team, and influence the future footprint of the business.

About the Company

Atlas NextWave is a leading recruitment and advisory firm specializing in the logistics and supply chain sectors. We are committed to supporting businesses in their growth and operational excellence.

If you are a commercially minded logistics leader with the relationships and track record to fill cold-storage capacity and build a larger platform, we would like to hear from you.

Contact:

Joshua Whitaker

Business Director

[email protected]