National Business Development Manager

Nippon Express EMEA; Birmingham; Remote; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits package

Monthly car allowance

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Private Healthcare & EAP

Life Assurance 4x Salary

Job summary

A leading logistics provider is seeking a Business Development Manager in Birmingham to drive growth by identifying and converting new business opportunities across air, ocean, and road services. This role involves engaging with senior stakeholders and requires strong sales experience in logistics. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in client relationship management and market analysis. The position offers competitive salary and benefits, including a car allowance and private healthcare.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in business development and sales.
• Ability to build and maintain a strong sales pipeline.
• Excellent negotiation and sales presentation skills.
• Ability to prepare and present compelling proposals and negotiate contracts.
• Experience coordinating with operations and pricing teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity.
• Develop long-term relationships with key clients and stakeholders.
• Provide market intelligence and feedback to senior management.

Skills

Sales experience in air, sea, and road freight

Client relationship management

Market analysis

Networking

CRM software (Salesforce)

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Job Title: Business Development Manager

Location: Birmingham/Midlands (UK scope)

Who are we?

Nippon Express UK is entering an exciting phase of growth, and we're expanding our sales team to match. We're looking for exceptional Business Development Managers who can help drive the next stage of our success. Part of the global Nippon Express Group, headquartered in Tokyo, we are a leading logistics provider delivering air, ocean, road freight, warehousing, and supply chain solutions. With over 73,000 employees across more than 50 countries, we combine global scale with local expertise to support customers worldwide.

What are we looking for?

This is a high-impact, field-based sales role focused on winning new business across our full logistics portfolio. You'll work with a mix of SME and multinational clients, engaging senior stakeholders and procurement teams, managing tenders, and building long-term strategic partnerships. As we continue to strengthen our UK sales capability, we are looking for experienced Business Development Managers with a strong background in air, sea, and road freight sales. This role will be a national position covering all of the UK.

The role

You'll be out in the market, identifying, targeting, and converting new business opportunities across NX's air, ocean, road, and warehousing solutions. Success in this role requires a proactive, resilient approach to sales – from prospecting and lead generation through to closing deals and onboarding clients. You'll play a key role not just in delivering revenue, but in building lasting customer relationships and strengthening the Nippon Express brand in your region.

Requirements

Business Development & Sales

• Identify and develop new business opportunities in air and ocean freight markets
• Build and maintain a strong sales pipeline through prospecting, networking, and lead generation
• Achieve and exceed sales targets and revenue goals
• Prepare and deliver compelling sales presentations and proposals to clients
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and service agreements

Client Relationship Management

• Develop long-term relationships with key clients and stakeholders
• Act as the main point of contact for high‑value accounts
• Understand customer supply chain needs and offer tailored logistics solutions
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and retention

Market Analysis & Strategy

• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and market conditions in air and ocean freight
• Identify new trade lanes, vertical markets, and growth opportunities
• Contribute to the development of sales strategies and business plans
• Provide market intelligence and feedback to senior management

Collaboration & Internal Coordination

• Work closely with operations, pricing, and customer service teams to ensure seamless service delivery
• Coordinate with global offices and partners to develop competitive solutions
• Support implementation of new business and ensure smooth onboarding

Pricing & Solution Development

• Collaborate with pricing teams to develop competitive freight solutions
• Prepare quotations, tenders, and RFQs/RFPs
• Ensure solutions are aligned with customer requirements and company profitability

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track sales performance using CRM systems (Salesforce)
• Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, opportunities, and forecasts
• Prepare regular sales reports and pipeline updates for management

Networking & Representation

• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and networking functions
• Build relationships with carriers, agents, and partners

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Monthly car allowance
• Growth opportunities within a dynamic and global organization
• A collaborative and supportive work environment
• Exposure to international markets and logistics networks
• Life Assurance 4x Salary
• Private Healthcare & EAP
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Free parking at all of our sites