Managing Director - Freight Forwarding

JR United Kingdom; Manchester; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading freight forwarding company seeks a commercially driven Managing Director to establish their first UK office. This senior role demands experience in ocean freight and includes opportunities for team building and strategic market entry. Compensation is attractive, with a base salary up to £200K plus performance-based commissions and growth potential.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in freight forwarding, especially ocean freight.
• Proven commercial success in market development and revenue growth.
• Deep knowledge of UK logistics sector and trade routes.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Business Development

Ocean Freight

Commercial Success

Leadership

Logistics Regulations

Job description

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Client:

Location:

Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

1

Posted:

06.06.2025

Expiry Date:

21.07.2025

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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: 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 commercially driven and strategic Managing Director to establish and lead their first UK office. Building a team is preferred.

The company has offices in the US, Asia, and Germany, with plans to expand into Belgium and the Netherlands.

The role focuses on ocean freight, with autonomy 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
• Drive business development and build a high-performing team
• Develop market entry strategy targeting ocean freight growth
• Build relationships with shipping lines, clients, and supply chain partners
• Ensure compliance with UK and international logistics regulations
• Contribute to European growth and integration as a strategic partner

Requirements

• Senior leadership experience in freight forwarding, especially ocean freight
• Contacts with SMEs to build profit quickly
• Proven commercial success in market development and revenue growth
• Experience 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 across Europe, Asia, and the US