Commercial Manager

TLP; Folkestone; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Car allowance

Mobile phone

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

25 days holiday + Bank/Public Holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Long service reward scheme

Referral bonus scheme

Job summary

TLP in Folkestone, Kent is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to lead the branch's commercial performance, drive business development, and manage a team of about 5 direct reports. You will work with operations to secure new opportunities across road, sea, air, and courier freight, maintain client relationships, and ensure profitable pricing and service delivery.

This role suits someone with a background in freight forwarding and logistics who can influence branch growth and contribute to

Qualifications

• Experience as Commercial Manager, Business Development Manager or Sales Manager in freight forwarding or logistics.
• Proven track record of growing revenue and profitability across multimodal freight services.
• Experience leading and developing a team of 5 direct reports.
• Strong understanding of freight forwarding, logistics and international transport.
• Excellent negotiation and customer relationship skills.
• Self-motivated and able to thrive in a fast-paced commercial environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new commercial opportunities across road, sea, air and courier freight, warehousing and customs.
• Develop relationships with new and existing clients to drive revenue and profitability.
• Coach and support a team of ~5 direct reports to improve performance.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure high-quality, tailored service and long-term retention.
• Set pricing strategies and maintain clear profit margins across accounts.
• Engage with customers through meetings, site visits and industry events.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue and improve margins at the branch level.
• Provide regular commercial updates to the Branch Director.

Skills

Commercial management

Freight forwarding

Business development

Sales leadership

Customer relationship management

Negotiation

Team coaching

Industry knowledge

Attention to detail

IT literacy

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Commercial Manager Freight Forwarding

Location: Folkestone, Kent
Salary: Competitive Salary + Commission + Car Allowance / Company Car
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Schedule: Monday Friday 40hrs per week

About the Role

We are recruiting for an experienced Commercial Manager to join an established global multimodal freight forwarding and logistics business based in the Folkestone/Dover area.

Reporting directly to the Branch Director, you will take responsibility for the commercial performance, business development and customer growth of the branch, while managing a team of approximately 5 direct reports.

Working closely with the operational team, you will identify new business opportunities, develop existing customer relationships, drive profitability and ensure customers receive a high-quality, tailored service.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager, Sales Manager or Business Development Manager with a background in freight forwarding and logistics to take ownership of commercial performance and make a genuine impact on branch growth and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the growth and profitability of the business by identifying, developing and securing new commercial opportunities across road, sea, air, courier freight, warehousing and customs services.
• Develop and convert new business opportunities, target markets and customer relationships, while identifying opportunities to expand and enhance services provided to existing clients.
• Manage, coach and support a team of approximately 5 direct reports, helping to drive commercial performance, accountability and development.
• Work collaboratively with operational teams to ensure effective account management and delivery of a high-quality, tailored service to customers, supporting long-term retention and growth.
• Manage commercial performance by ensuring appropriate pricing strategies, clear profit margins and maximum profitability across all accounts and opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through regular engagement, including customer meetings, site visits and industry events where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve margins and develop the branch's overall commercial performance.
• Provide regular commercial insight and performance updates to the Branch Director.

Key Requirements

• Previous experience in a Commercial Manager, Business Development Manager or Sales Manager position within a freight forwarding or logistics organisation Essential.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth and developing profitable business across Air, Sea and/or Road freight services Essential.
• Experience managing, motivating and developing a commercial team.
• Strong understanding of freight forwarding, logistics and international transport.
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and customer management abilities.
• Self-motivated, resilient and comfortable working in a fast-paced commercial environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accountability.
• High level of IT literacy.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary open to discussion and negotiable DOE
• Commission scheme
• Monday Friday 40hrs per week
• Company mobile phone
• Car allowance or company car
• 25 days holiday + Bank/Public Holidays
• Contributory pension scheme
• Contributory private healthcare
• Long service reward scheme
• Referral bonus scheme
• Members Assistance Programme

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager / Sales Manager / Business Development Manager to take ownership of the commercial performance of an established freight forwarding operation.

With responsibility for both team leadership and commercial growth, the role offers the opportunity to influence strategy, develop customer relationships and contribute directly to the continued success of the branch.