Managing Director - Freight Forwarding

JR United Kingdom; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious US freight forwarding company seeks a Managing Director to establish and lead its first UK office, focusing on ocean imports and strategic business development. This role offers the chance to shape the company's UK presence while achieving significant commercial success and operational growth in a dynamic market.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in freight forwarding.
• Established contacts with SMEs and a plan to build profit quickly.
• Deep knowledge of the UK logistics sector and trade corridors.

Responsibilities

• Launch and lead the UK office with full P&L responsibility.
• Develop and implement the market entry strategy for the UK, targeting growth in ocean freight.
• Lead business development and build a high-performing team.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Commercial success

Leadership

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Note: This job description is fairly detailed and well-structured. However, it contains some formatting inconsistencies and could benefit from minor editing for clarity and flow.

Below is a refined version with improved formatting and clarity:

Job Title:

Managing Director (Freight Forwarding with a Focus on Ocean Freight)

Location:

UK – Flexible (Any major logistics hub: London, Felixstowe, Southampton, Manchester, Birmingham, etc.)

Salary:

Up to £200K + commission and potential shares in the UK business

About the Role

A US-based freight forwarding client is seeking a commercially driven and strategically minded Managing Director to establish and lead their first UK office. You are expected to bring a track record of achieving at least £500K in annual gross profit and confidence in bringing business with you. The focus will be on ocean imports from Asia.

The company has established offices in the US, Asia, and Germany, with plans to open additional offices in Belgium and the Netherlands by year-end. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the UK presence during a key phase of global expansion.

The role will focus heavily on ocean freight, with the freedom to build a team and operation that meets both local and global market needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Launch and lead the UK office with full P&L responsibility
• Lead business development in the UK and build a high-performing commercial and operational team
• Develop and implement the market entry strategy for the UK, targeting growth in ocean freight
• Cultivate relationships with shipping lines, clients, and supply chain partners
• Ensure compliance with UK and international logistics regulations and best practices
• Act as a strategic partner to the international leadership team, contributing to European growth

Requirements

• Senior leadership experience in freight forwarding, especially ocean freight
• Established contacts with SMEs and a plan to build profit quickly
• Proven commercial success in market development and revenue growth
• Experience launching or scaling new regional offices is highly desirable
• Deep knowledge of the UK logistics sector and trade corridors
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a hands-on approach and ability to work autonomously
• Willingness to travel and collaborate with international offices across Europe, Asia, and the US