Head of Sales (m/w/d)

DFDS Germany; Hamburg; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package with,

Bonus scheme

Modern equipment (laptop, smartphone)

Modern office in Hamburg-Harburg

International career opportunities

Capital-forming benefits

Employee bonus card with net credit

Free travel on DFDS route network

Job summary

DFDS Germany in Hamburg seeks a hands-on Head of Sales to lead our German dry freight sales activities. You will translate market insights into priorities, strengthen key customer relationships and develop new business while coaching a small team and maintaining a strong external presence.

You will own the local commercial agenda, drive a reliable sales rhythm, and work cross-functionally to deliver profitable, deliverable solutions across DFDS.

Qualifications

• A proven track record in B2B sales within freight, transport or logistics, ideally in a European road, trailer or multimodal environment.
• Leadership experience, or clear readiness to step into broader sales leadership while remaining close to customers and deals.
• Strong commercial judgement, including the ability to balance revenue growth, margin and operational feasibility.
• A structured approach to pipeline management, forecasting and performance follow-up.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of three sales colleagues, with scope to strengthen the team as the business grows.
• Define and execute the sales strategy for Germany, aligned with wider European commercial priorities.
• Build a healthy, transparent sales pipeline and convert opportunities into profitable, sustainable business.
• Win new customers while expanding and protecting relationships with strategic existing accounts.
• Maintain a strong external presence and continuously assess market developments, customer needs and competitor activity.
• Work cross-functionally with operations, pricing, customer service and other commercial teams to design competitive, deliverable solutions.
• Own sales forecasting, target setting, performance reviews and management reporting.
• Represent DFDS at customer meetings, industry events and relevant networks in Germany and across Europe.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial judgement

Pipeline management

Forecasting

Negotiation

Relationship building

Entrepreneurial mindset

German language

English language

Willingness to travel

Job description

Build the commercial platform for growth in Germany. Lead the local team, stay close to customers and the market, and turn opportunities into sustainable dry freight business for DFDS.

Do you want to shape the next phase of our commercial development in Germany? We are looking for a hands-on Head of Sales who combines strategic direction with strong market presence and disciplined execution. Based in Hamburg, you will lead our German dry freight sales activities and a team with clear potential to build, develop and grow.

About the role

As Head of Sales, Germany, you will own the local commercial agenda for our transport and logistics activities. You will translate market insight into priorities, strengthen key customer relationships and actively develop new business. You will also coach the team, create a reliable sales rhythm and work closely with colleagues across DFDS to turn customer needs into solutions that can be delivered operationally and profitably.

What you will do

Lead, coach and develop a team of three sales colleagues, with scope to strengthen the team as the business grows.

Define and execute the sales strategy for Germany, aligned with wider European commercial priorities.

Build a healthy, transparent sales pipeline and convert opportunities into profitable, sustainable business.

Win new customers while expanding and protecting relationships with strategic existing accounts.

Maintain a strong external presence and continuously assess market developments, customer needs and competitor activity.

Work cross-functionally with operations, pricing, customer service and other commercial teams to design competitive, deliverable solutions.

Own sales forecasting, target setting, performance reviews and management reporting.

Represent DFDS at customer meetings, industry events and relevant networks in Germany and across Europe.

What we are looking for

A proven track record in B2B sales within freight, transport or logistics, ideally in a European road, trailer or multimodal environment.

Leadership experience, or clear readiness to step into broader sales leadership while remaining close to customers and deals.

Strong commercial judgement, including the ability to balance revenue growth, margin and operational feasibility.

A structured approach to pipeline management, forecasting and performance follow-up.

Credibility with senior customer stakeholders and strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.

An entrepreneurial mindset: you see opportunities, create momentum and take ownership through to execution.

Fluent German and English, with confidence working in an international organisation.

Willingness to travel within Germany and Europe as required.

What makes this opportunity different

• Room to shape: You will have real influence over the German commercial direction and how the team develops.
• Visible impact: This is a role where leadership, customer activity and execution directly translate into growth.
• European platform: You will be part of a broader DFDS network, collaborating across markets, functions and transport solutions.
• A role with growth potential: The current team is deliberately lean, giving you the opportunity to build capability as the business develops.

DFDS offers

• An attractive, competitive remuneration package, including a performance-related bonus scheme
• Modern equipment such as a laptop, smartphone and other tools for mobile sales
• A modern new office in Hamburg-Harburg as your home base
• An open corporate culture that prioritises appreciation and collaboration
• International career opportunities
• A contribution towards capital-forming benefits
• An employee bonus card with a monthly net credit balance
• Free travel on the DFDS route network

It’s never a dull moment at DFDS! Our business is always full of new challenges. Under our motto ‘we move for all to grow’, we learn, develop and celebrate together. Sustainability, diversity and inclusion are high on our agenda.