Business Development Manager - Freight

Safer Hand Solutions; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A logistics and distribution service provider is seeking a driven Business Development Manager to focus on new business development across sea and air freight services. The ideal candidate will have previous freight forwarding sales experience and be responsible for generating leads, managing sales cycles, and contributing to the success of the sales team. This position offers opportunities for growth, competitive compensation, and a supportive working environment.

Benefits

Health scheme

25 days annual leave + BH

Excellent pension scheme

Option to partake in company shares scheme

Regular incentives

Qualifications

• Self-starter with strong prospecting skills and a passion for winning new business.
• Proven new business sales ability with confidence in lead generation and closing deals.
• Strong knowledge of sea and/or air freight operations and pricing.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business growth by generating leads and building a healthy sales pipeline.
• Prepare and deliver tailored sales presentations and quotes to prospective customers.
• Manage schedule effectively to balance client visits across various locations.

Skills

Freight forwarding sales experience

Lead generation

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Prospecting skills

Tools

CRM proficiency

Job description

Overview

My client is a forward-thinking distribution service provider who is truly dedicated to delivering seamless solutions and outstanding customer service. With a fantastic level of longevity with their current employees, they offer exciting learning and progression opportunities, and they are looking forward to welcoming someone new to the Sales Team.

Are you a driven sales professional with experience in freight? We're looking for a Business Development Manager to join a growing team, focusing on new business development across sea and air freight services.

Role

Within the Business Development Manager position, you will be tasked with driving new business growth - generating your own leads, building your pipeline, and securing new clients, covering a dynamic territory with strong opportunities for freight development. You will own the sales cycle: from prospecting to closing deals, before handing accounts over for long-term management.

Key responsibilities

• Building and maintaining a healthy sales pipeline.
• Preparing and delivering tailored sales presentations, quotes, and solutions to prospective customers.
• Attending industry events, trade shows, and networking opportunities to generate leads.
• Working with internal freight and customer support teams to ensure a smooth onboarding and handover of new clients.
• Contributing to sales forecasts and updating management on progress against revenue goals.
• Managing your own schedule effectively to balance client visits across Liverpool, Hull, and Newcastle, ensuring efficient coverage.
• Managing your activity through our CRM system, ensuring accurate records and reporting.
• Keeping up to date with freight trends, competitor activity, and regional opportunities to maximise prospecting efforts.
• Staying updated on carrier services, routes, and international trade regulations relevant to freight forwarding.
• Attending weekly virtual Monday morning meetings and working collaboratively with a supportive and experienced management team.

Requirements

If you're ambitious, motivated, and ready to take ownership of a pure new business sales role in freight forwarding, we'd love to hear from you. To be successfully considered for this role you will need to have Freight forwarding sales experience (sea/air freight preferred). Whether you're an experienced field-based BDM who can manage their own time and meetings, or maybe have internal freight sales professional, but you're ready to step into a field role.

• A self-starter with strong prospecting skills and a passion for winning new business.
• Proven new business sales ability - confident in lead generation, prospecting, and closing deals.
• Strong knowledge of sea and/or air freight operations, pricing, and service options.
• CRM proficiency and ability to manage a pipeline, keep accurate records, and use data to drive decisions.
• Effective time management, ability to self-manage workload, travel schedule, and priorities effectively.
• Presentation & negotiation skills. You must be comfortable pitching to clients, presenting proposals, and negotiating contracts.

Additional Information

• 8:30am to 5pm (one hour lunch)
• Monday to Friday
• Health scheme
• 25 days annual leave + BH
• Excellent pension scheme.
• Quarterly one to ones.
• Option to partake in company shares scheme.
• Great scope for development and progression.
• Promote from within approach.
• Engagement in CSR activities.
• Regular incentives.
• Supportive management team with tailored training depending on your level of experience.
• Flexibility and autonomy to plan your own schedule.
• Collaborative, open working culture.
• Competitive package with realistic revenue-focused targets.

Closing note

This is a brilliant opportunity to join an established company that values collaboration, supports your growth, and rewards your success. To find out more, call Safer Hand Solutions and ask for Hannah Kirk, or apply today to be considered for the role.

Please note, Safer Hand Solutions are acting as an employment agency on behalf of a client and by applying you agree to register with us and for us to hold your details on file. Due to the volume of applications, we may only contact applicants directly who have been successfully shortlisted but may also contact you in regards to any other suitable vacancies.