Business Development Specialist

RAH Shipping & Logistics; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

RAH Shipping & Logistics is expanding its international logistics operations and seeking an experienced Business Development Specialist to support the launch and growth of our UK office.

You will identify new opportunities across the UK, build a strong pipeline for Sea, Air, Road freight and customs clearance, and convert enquiries into profitable business while developing long-term relationships with customers.

Qualifications

• Previous business development or sales experience within freight forwarding, shipping or logistics.
• Good knowledge of the UK logistics and freight forwarding market.
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Commercially focused with an understanding of freight margins and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across the UK.
• Generate new customers within import, export, manufacturing, trading, automotive and related sectors.
• Develop business for Sea Freight, Air Freight, Road Freight, Customs Clearance, Automotive Logistics and related logistics services.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospective customers.
• Arrange customer meetings, presentations and sales visits.
• Prepare quotations and commercial proposals in coordination with pricing and operations teams.
• Negotiate commercial terms and convert enquiries into profitable business.
• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with customers and business partners.
• Identify opportunities across key international trade lanes, particularly between the UK, UAE, GCC, Pakistan and Asia.
• Maintain accurate sales activity and pipeline reporting.
• Support management in developing and establishing the company’s presence in the UK market.

Job description

We are expanding our international logistics operations and are looking for an experienced Business Development Specialist to support the launch and growth of our new UK office.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience in the UK freight forwarding and logistics industry, a strong commercial mindset, and the ability to generate and convert new business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across the UK.
• Generate new customers within import, export, manufacturing, trading, automotive and related sectors.
• Develop business for Sea Freight, Air Freight, Road Freight, Customs Clearance, Automotive Logistics and related logistics services.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospective customers.
• Arrange customer meetings, presentations and sales visits.
• Prepare quotations and commercial proposals in coordination with pricing and operations teams.
• Negotiate commercial terms and convert enquiries into profitable business.
• Develop and maintain long‑term relationships with customers and business partners.
• Identify opportunities across key international trade lanes, particularly between the UK, UAE, GCC, Pakistan and Asia.
• Maintain accurate sales activity and pipeline reporting.
• Support management in developing and establishing the company’s presence in the UK market.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous business development or sales experience within freight forwarding, shipping or logistics.
• Good knowledge of the UK logistics and freight forwarding market.
• Strong understanding of Air Freight, Sea Freight/FCL-LCL, imports, exports and customs procedures.
• Proven ability to generate new customers and develop business independently.
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship‑building skills.
• Commercially focused with an understanding of freight margins and profitability.
• Comfortable working in a new and growing UK operation.
• Existing relationships with UK importers, exporters or logistics customers would be a strong advantage.
• Experience with Middle East, GCC, Pakistan or Asian trade lanes would be beneficial.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join at an early stage of our UK expansion and play a key role in building the business locally.

The successful candidate will have significant scope to grow with the company, with future progression opportunities into Business Development Manager, UK Sales Manager or other senior commercial roles.

Package: Competitive basic salary + performance-based commission/bonus.