Maersk Names Sajal Takhi Operations Team Lead
Sajal Takhi, Operations Team Lead at A.P. Moller – Maersk, has earned his elite CITP|FIBP designation, a prestigious certification by the Forum for International Trade Training. This achievement is due to his hard work and dedication to the field of international trade.
As a young newcomer to Canada, Sajal learned that behind every shipment, every cross-border lane, and every international contract are people. To connect with them, he needs to understand their needs and challenges. With over seven years of experience in asset-based transportation, plus a CITP certification and a Master’s in Finance, Sajal has combined his learning with practice to become an expert.
Early Career and Education
Sajal’s journey into international trade began naturally. He started by coordinating shipments across Canada and the U.S., managing complex cross-border operations and building relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. Through this work, he became fascinated by global trade, including customs clearance documentation, resolving business disputes, or managing financial risks associated with international transactions.
His academic background, including a Master’s in Finance, further fueled his interest in international trade by giving him critical skills in financial analysis, risk management, and strategic planning. This knowledge would prove invaluable in his logistics roles. A large part of his career work has been in developing market expansion strategies and optimizing operations to maximize profitability.
Impactful Advice and Career Growth
One of Sajal’s most powerful stories comes from his early years as a new immigrant in the workforce. At 19, newly arrived from India and working in a diverse Canadian environment, he found himself struggling to connect with colleagues—a challenge many newcomers face. His supervisor told him that to succeed professionally, it was essential to understand the needs and challenges of both customers and colleagues.
This advice profoundly impacted Sajal, prompting him to cultivate emotional intelligence and empathy. He began actively building relationships and realized that by understanding and valuing the perspectives of those around him, he could build stronger relationships and work more effectively with his team.
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Sajal has contributed to several major projects that improved operational efficiency and drove business expansion. Notable achievements include winning contracts from major clients such as Burnac Produce and High Liner Foods. These achievements were the result of strategic business planning, negotiation expertise, and strong customer management skills.
Risk Management and Career Development
Sajal emphasizes the importance of risk management in every aspect of business. He believes that risk analysis lies in its ability to anticipate uncertainties and vulnerabilities, allowing businesses to proactively address issues before they escalate.
Risk analysis enables companies to make informed decisions, allocate resources more effectively, and develop robust contingency plans. This ability to analyze uncertainty – financial, operational, strategic, or compliance-related – is now central to Sajal’s professional toolkit.
The international trade industry is complex, requiring a deep understanding of global markets, logistics, and risk management. As a certified international trade professional, Sajal is well-equipped to drive business growth. To learn more about his career path, understanding the difference between an MBA and CITP can provide valuable insights.
In his current role at A.P. Moller – Maersk, Sajal applies his expertise and deep industry knowledge every day, ensuring flawless coordination between shippers, carriers, and internal teams to meet OTP targets and reconciling load-level financials to support financial operations. His efforts have even led to award recognition within the company—an achievement that motivates him to keep pushing boundaries and deliver excellence in the industry.
He continues to work on improving his skills.
