Managing Director - Freight Forwarding

JR United Kingdom; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An opportunity for a Managing Director in the freight forwarding sector to establish and lead a UK office focusing on ocean freight. This role demands a proven leader with significant experience in market development and a strong network in the logistics sector. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, ready to travel, and eager to shape the company's UK presence during a critical phase of expansion.

Benefits

Potential shares in the UK business

Commission on sales

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in freight forwarding, especially ocean freight.
• Contacts with SMEs for profit growth.
• Proven success in market development and revenue growth.

Responsibilities

• Launch and lead the UK office with full P&L responsibility.
• Build and manage a high-performing team.
• Develop and implement UK market entry strategies.

Skills

Business Development

Leadership

Market Entry Strategies

P&L Responsibility

Regulatory Compliance

Relationship Building

Job description

Important: This is a commercial role. You will be expected to sell while establishing the branch. Candidates should have a track record of achieving at least £500K in annual gross profit. The focus is on ocean imports from Asia.

Job Title:

Managing Director (freight forwarding with a focus on ocean freight)

Location:

UK – Flexible (Major logistics hubs such as 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 seeks a Managing Director to establish and lead their first UK office. You may join as an individual or with a team of operators.

With offices in the US, Asia, and Germany, and plans to expand further, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the UK presence during a key phase of global expansion.

The role emphasizes ocean freight, with the freedom to build a team and operations to meet local and global needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Launch and lead the UK office with full P&L responsibility
• Lead business development and build a high-performing team
• Develop and implement UK market entry strategies for ocean freight
• Build relationships with shipping lines, clients, and supply chain partners
• Ensure compliance with UK and international logistics regulations
• Contribute to broader European growth and integration as a strategic partner

Requirements

• Senior leadership experience in freight forwarding, especially ocean freight
• Contacts with SMEs aiming for quick profit growth
• Proven commercial success in market development and revenue growth
• Experience in launching or scaling regional offices is desirable
• Deep knowledge of UK logistics sector and trade routes
• Entrepreneurial, autonomous, and hands-on mindset
• Willingness to travel and collaborate internationally