Business Development Manager (Freight Forwarding)

Job Description

• The company is now seeking to recruit a Business Development Manager.
• Reporting to the Country Manager, you will be responsible for identifying and acquiring new business opportunities and driving profitable business growth within the company.
• You will play a key role in developing strategic customer opportunities, building relationships with senior decision-makers, and generating sustainable revenue and Gross Profit through Ocean Freight, Air Freight, Customs Clearance and related logistics services.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales strategies to achieve revenue and business growth objectives.
• Identify market opportunities and potential clients to expand the customer base.
• Identify and pursue larger and more complex corporate accounts and strategic business opportunities.
• Analyse market trends, competitor activities, and customer demands to inform sales strategies and tactics.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified, high-value business opportunities.
• Develop new business across Ocean Freight and Air Freight and cross-sell Customs Clearance and related logistics services.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key customers, senior decision-makers, industry stakeholders, and partners to drive business growth.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, key trade lanes and commercial opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop customised solutions that meet customer needs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with potential customers to understand their requirements and provide appropriate logistics solutions.
• Identify customer pain points and develop solutions to address them.
• Conduct regular customer visits and business reviews to develop opportunities and strengthen commercial relationships.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as Operations and Pricing, to ensure seamless service delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Track and analyse sales performance, pipeline development, customer acquisition, revenue and Gross Profit.
• Prepare sales forecasts and sales reports and present them to management.
• Lead commercial and contract negotiations with customers to secure profitable business agreements.
• Develop pricing strategies and proposals based on market trends, competition, customer requirements and cost considerations.
• Ensure compliance with pricing guidelines and company policies.Personally drive new customer acquisition and deliver sustainable new business and Gross Profit in line with agreed targets.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of proven sales/business development experience, preferably within the logistics or freight forwarding industry.
• Strong freight forwarding/logistics industry experience and an existing Lagos importer/exporter network are preferred.
• Proven track record of personally acquiring new customers and generating profitable business.
• Ability to demonstrate accounts personally won and businesses generated.
• Strong knowledge of Ocean Freight, Air Freight, Customs Clearance and related logistics services, industry trends, and market dynamics.
• Strong commercial, negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Proficiency in English written and verbal.
• Fluency in MS Office Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and general internet navigation and research skills.

Competencies:
Technical:

• Industry Knowledge
• Sales Techniques
• CRM and Sales Tools
• Market Research and Analysis
• Financial Acumen
• Presentation and Communication
• Commercial Negotiation

Behavioural:

• Strategic Thinking
• Sales-driven
• Customer Focus & Relationship Building
• Results Orientation
• Ownership & Accountability
• Ethics and Integrity.