Carina Voigt

I entered the industry in January 2018, which means I’m now approaching eight years. Like many, I didn’t plan to enter freight forwarding. I grew up in Germany, passionate about music and teaching, and initially pursued a career in education.

 

It was my English degree that first brought me to New Zealand, where I spent time on an OE and eventually decided to settle. After completing my Bachelor’s degree back in Germany, I returned to New Zealand and began looking for work outside of teaching. That’s when I accepted a role as Ocean Import Agent at Expeditors. My early responsibilities involved coordinating with Customs Brokers, verifying, and passing on documentation for clearance, and ensuring shipments were released in time to avoid unnecessary charges. That close collaboration with brokers quickly sparked my curiosity for Customs. About a year later, I moved into the Brokerage department as a Customs Admin while at the same time enrolling in the CBAFF UUI courses to become a broker.

 

In my current role as Ocean Product Manager at Expeditors New Zealand, I lead a team of ocean freight professionals and oversee both operational performance and strategic growth. It’s a role that challenges me to think commercially, build strong partnerships, and support our people - keeping that “teacher side” of me alive while striving for operational excellence and driving results.

 

What’s helped me get here? Curiosity, integrity, problem-solving, and a strong work ethic have been central, but equally important has been surrounding myself with good people and seeking new challenges.

 

In 2024, I challenged myself to enter the CBAFF Young Logistics Professional Award and was honoured to be selected as the winner. This recognition opened the door to a transformative year of growth, learning, and new opportunities. As part of the prize, I joined the Icehouse Emerging Leaders program and also entered the international FIATA Young Logistics Professional Award. Over the past 12 months, I’ve written a 49-page dissertation, deepened my understanding of leadership, and expanded my professional network. Along the way, I’ve learned that confidence isn’t something you wait for - it’s something you build by doing. And that asking for help isn’t a weakness - it accelerates growth.

 

What I love most about working in this industry is its diversity. No two days are ever the same, and there’s always a new challenge that requires creativity and resilience. I also enjoy the international nature of it: on any given day, I’m talking with people anywhere in the world. And finally, I appreciate that this industry always opens new doors, with new possibilities and directions to explore. Even in under a decade, I’ve already experienced very different roles and departments. The future is wide open, whether through horizontal growth or vertical steps into broader leadership roles.

 

To young people considering a career in this industry, my advice is simple: work hard, be curious, and embrace opportunities, especially when they push you out of your comfort zone. This industry is fast-moving, and new tools and processes are emerging all the time, so being adaptable and open to change will take you far. At the same time, don’t hesitate to share new ideas. Innovation comes from fresh perspectives, and our industry will only thrive if we combine experience with new ways of thinking.

 

Looking ahead, I believe investing in people is the most important thing we can do. Technology will continue to evolve, but relationships will continue to sit at the heart of our industry. Customers, vendors, colleagues - it’s all about people. Building strong, supportive teams that align with a company’s vision is what will keep our industry moving forward. Eight years in, I still feel I’ve only scratched the surface. This industry rewards curiosity, resilience, and adaptability - and that’s what keeps me excited for the future.