Business Development Manager

Pareto; Folkestone; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Private healthcare

Pension (matched)

Cycle to Work

Annual leave 25 days + BH

Company phone

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

Pareto is seeking a Business Development Manager for European road freight. Hybrid role based in Folkestone with an initial induction and infrequent in-office presence.

You will hunt for new business, close deals, and drive revenue across FTL/LTL across Europe, focusing on food and FMCG supply chains. You will build a premium client base, manage relationships through an Account Manager, and benefit from an uncapped commission structure along with a strong base salary.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in freight forwarding sales focused on European road freight.
• Outlook for proactive outbound hunting of new business and territory mapping.
• Existing network of shippers, food producers, or industrial manufacturers is advantageous.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to report on key financials.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business by proactively hunting, quoting, and closing European road freight opportunities (FTL & LTL / Groupage).
• Build a pipeline of B2B clients, targeting manufacturers and suppliers into UK supermarkets and the food/beverage sector.
• Land the business and transition it to an Account Manager with ongoing commission on gross profit for the lifetime of the account.
• Conduct quarterly client reviews, track profit levels, and analyze market trends to provide commercial solutions.
• Collaborate with Folkestone pricing and operations teams to deliver tailored, personable service.

Skills

Hunter mentality

Freight forwarding sales

Territory mapping

Negotiation skills

CRM literacy

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Job Title: Business Development Manager / Senior BDM – European Road Freight

Location: Hybrid (Folkestone)

Salary: £35,000 - £65,000 Base (Depending on experience) + Car Allowance (£450-£600/mo), uncapped Commission

Sector: Freight Forwarding / European Road Freight (FTL & LTL)

The Opportunity:

Are you an experienced road freight sales professional tired of winning new business only to have your accounts and your commission stripped away and handed to a Key Accounts team after six months?

We are partnering with a highly profitable, mid-market UK freight forwarder to find an elite Business Development Manager for their European road freight division. With 10 offices across the UK, an in-house customs clearance hub to bypass post-Brexit border friction, and their own asset-backed fleet of refrigerated (reefer) and ambient trailers, this business gives you the operational firepower to actually deliver on the promises you make to your clients.

They are looking for a true "hunter" to take ownership of European inbound and outbound routes, heavily targeting the food, FMCG, and supermarket supply chains.

Best of all? After an initial 2-week induction to meet the operations team, this role is highly autonomous, requiring only 2 days per month in the Folkestone office.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Driving New Business: Proactively hunting, quoting, and closing European road freight opportunities (FTL & LTL / Groupage).
• Targeting Premium Sectors: Building a pipeline of B2B clients, specifically targeting manufacturers and suppliers into UK supermarkets and the food/beverage sector.
• Account Retention: Benefiting from an "Account for Life" commission model. You will land the business, transition it alongside a dedicated Account Manager, and continue earning a commission split on the gross profit for the lifetime of the account.
• Commercial Strategy: Undertaking quarterly client business reviews, tracking profit levels, and analyzing market trends to provide commercial solutions.
• Collaboration: Working hand-in-hand with the Folkestone pricing and operations teams to ensure your clients receive a highly tailored, personable service.

What We Are Looking For:

• Direct Industry Experience: You must have a proven track record in freight forwarding sales, specifically focused on European Road Freight.
• The Hunter Mentality: True resilience and a proactive outbound approach. You know how to map out a territory, pick up the phone, and build relationships from scratch.
• The "Black Book": An existing network of shippers, food producers, or industrial manufacturers is highly advantageous.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong negotiation skills, high IT literacy (Salesforce/CRM experience), and the ability to report on key financials.

The Package & Benefits:

• Base Salary: £35,000 - £65,000 (Flexible banding based on your billing history and exact level of experience).
• Commission: Highly lucrative, uncapped commission scheme
• Vehicle: Generous Car Allowance (£450 - £600 per month based on seniority) or Company Car.
• Holiday: 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays (Increasing to 30 days with long service).
• Health & Wellness: Contributory Private Healthcare and a comprehensive Member’s Assistance Programme.
• Extras: 5%/3% matched pension, Cycle to Work scheme, £1,000 employee referral bonus, and a company mobile phone.
• Culture: A highly sociable, supportive environment that rewards hard work without the rigid corporate red tape.