As a young newcomer to Canada, navigating both a new country and profession, Sajal Takhi learned an important lesson about professional success: behind every shipment, every cross-border lane, and every international contract are people. ==And to connect with them, you need to understand their needs and challenges.
Today, 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 the expert that he is today.
A natural calling to logistics and transportation
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 the intricacies of global trade, whether it was handling customs clearance documentation, resolving business disputes, or managing financial risks associated with international transactions. Every challenge and every complex detail drew him in.
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, knowledge that 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 about empathy and understanding
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 quietly face.
“Recognizing this, my supervisor told me that to succeed professionally, it was essential to understand the needs and challenges of both customers and colleagues. This advice profoundly impacted me at an early stage in my career, prompting me to cultivate emotional intelligence and empathy.”
It was a simple concept that reshaped his entire approach to work. Sajal began actively building stronger relationships. “I realized that by understanding and valuing the perspectives of those around me, I could build stronger relationships and navigate workplace dynamics more effectively. These skills have become foundational to my professional approach, as I believe that empathy and kindness are key to connecting with others and achieving success.”
Driving significant business growth and winning contracts
Throughout his logistics career, 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.
“By analyzing market trends, optimizing freight routes, and aligning our service offerings with client needs, I was able to present value-driven proposals that secured these lucrative contracts.”
Another milestone came during the expansion of Sharp Express Inc., where Sajal expanded Sharp Express Inc.’s market presence by diversifying operations beyond traditional reefer loads into dry freight, auto parts, and electronics. “I proactively identified new opportunities, optimized our pricing strategies, and successfully mitigated risks associated with seasonal fluctuations in demand,” he says.
Why Risk Management Became His Guiding Principle
When asked what he wishes he’d known at the start of his career, Sajal answerswith confidence:
“The importance of risk management in every aspect of business, and working as an employee as well.”
He elaborates that the importance of risk analysis lies in its ability to anticipate uncertainties and vulnerabilities, allowing businesses to proactively address issues before they escalate. By doing this, they not only protect their assets and enhance operational resilience but also foster a culture of risk awareness across the organization.
He also believes that,
“risk analysis plays a key role in optimizing financial performance by helping businesses avoid costly mistakes, reduce losses, and enhance their reputation and credibility among stakeholders.”
By systematically evaluating potential threats – whether financial, operational, strategic, or compliance-related – 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, and he credits his favourite FITTskills modules with giving him deeper insight into this topic.
Risk Analysis and Cost Analysis – FITTskills training applied on the job
His favourite topics were risk analysis and management and cost and pricing analysis. After studying these areas, he was able to do a mind map of his previous company Sharp Express Inc. where he uncovered risk factors that eventually led to a downturn in the business during a high-interest rate market.
“These courses significantly deepened my knowledge, allowing me to apply advanced analytical skills directly to my work in logistics. This enhanced my ability to make data-driven decisions, mitigate risks, and optimize costs, ultimately contributing to the growth of the company and adding value to the broader community.”
An enriching learning experience
Despite balancing a demanding career in logistics and pursuing a Master’s in Finance, Sajal was able to complete two FITTskills courses for an enriching learning experience. Not long after, he decided to complete the entire FITTskills program and apply for his Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation, understanding its ability to open international doors and add credibility to his CV.
“The CITP is a prestigious certification by FITT. By achieving this qualification doors are opened not only in Canada by across the EU as well. Moreover, the faculty of FITT and its strategic partner EDC are industry leaders and well-qualified.”
Pride in contributing to a wider community
Sajal considers earning his designation a proud moment. He views the CITP as a marker of prestige but, more importantly, as a way for him to contribute his learning and work experience to the evolving Canadian economy and “beautiful Canadian community.”
How the CITP is shaping his future
Since earning the CITP, Sajal has honed his international trade skills for a rounded view of logistics, finance, and risk mitigation, all assets he applies to his current role of operations team lead at A.P. Moller – Maersk. Whether he’s ensuring flawless coordination between shippers, carriers, and internal teams to meet OTP targets or reconciling load-level financials, including accessorial, fuel surcharges, and margin analysis to support financial operations, he is using his expertise and deep industry knowledge every day.
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.
Though he is still early in his career, Sajal has accomplished a lot already. He’s won major contracts for clients, accomplished seamless logistics coordination for the world’s biggest shipping companies, and he’s attained major academic and professional milestones. Through it all, he has learned that success in international trade is not just about moving goods efficiently—it’s about understanding people, managing uncertainty, and thinking globally.
His journey stands as a powerful reminder that trade is built on relationships and strategic expertise, and strongest careers grow from both skillsets.
LinkedIn: Sajal Takhi (Singh), CITP
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