Trade Lane Development Manager

Purpose of the Job

The Trade Lane Development Manager is responsible for driving growth and development within specific trade lanes by building and managing strong relationships with carriers, partners, and customers. This role involves identifying new business opportunities, optimizing trade lanes, and collaborating with internal teams to enhance service offerings, cost efficiency, and profitability within the freight department.

Job Description

• Develop and implement strategic plans to drive growth and revenue within assigned trade lanes.
• Identify new opportunities and enhance existing trade lanes by analyzing market trends, customer needs, and competitor activities.
• Conduct trade lane analysis to optimize pricing, capacity, and efficiency, and identify areas for improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including carriers, agents, and customers, to ensure quality service delivery.
• Negotiate rates and services with carriers and partners to enhance profitability and service levels.
• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned trade lanes, addressing client inquiries and resolving issues to ensure high customer satisfaction.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities in targeted trade lanes.
• Collaborate with sales teams to promote trade lane services, develop customer solutions, and support sales efforts to achieve revenue targets.
• Work with the marketing team to develop and execute promotional strategies for assigned trade lanes.
• Monitor and analyze trade lane performance metrics, including volume, revenue, and profitability.
• Provide regular reports and insights to management on trade lane performance, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommended improvements.
• Collaborate with finance and operations teams to ensure accurate cost and revenue tracking for each trade lane.
• Work closely with operations, finance, and customer service teams to streamline trade lane processes and improve overall service quality.
• Ensure that all stakeholders are aligned with trade lane goals and objectives, facilitating a collaborative approach to trade lane management.
• Evaluate potential trade lane expansion opportunities, including new routes, carriers, or partnerships.
• Develop strategic insights to drive continuous improvement and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

Job Requirements - Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 8+ years’ experience in trade lane management, freight forwarding, or logistics, with a proven track record in business development and relationship management.
• Strong understanding of global trade and logistics, particularly within assigned trade lanes.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools (e.g., CRM systems, MS Office, etc.).
• Strategic thinking with a proactive approach to identifying growth opportunities

Leadership Behaviors

Building Outstanding Teams

Collaborate & break silos

Execution & Accountability

External focus

Growth mindset

Inclusion

Innovation

Setting a clear direction

Simplification

Skills

Analytical Skills

Business Acumen

Communication Skills

Cross Functional Relationship Management

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership Skills

Negotiation Skills

Product Knowledge

Team Collaboration