Sales Director Europe

DSJ Global; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global logistics organisation is seeking a Sales Manager for Ocean Freight in Rotterdam. This role involves leading a high-performing sales team, developing commercial strategies, and engaging with senior customers to drive growth in ocean freight solutions. The ideal candidate has 8-10 years of experience in freight forwarding sales, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven track record of selling complex logistics solutions. This is an exceptional opportunity to impact the company's ocean freight segment.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of commercial experience in ocean freight and freight forwarding sales.
• 5 years of leadership experience managing sales teams, ideally cross border.
• Proven success selling complex logistics solutions to C-Suite decision-makers.
• Proven success selling complex logistics solutions, ideally to C-Suite decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing sales team focused on ocean freight growth.
• Lead strategic sales initiatives for ocean and freight forwarding products.
• Engage senior-level customer stakeholders to assess needs and ensure satisfaction.
• Ensure accurate reporting across pipeline stages and business development activities.

Skills

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

Strategic thinker

Ability to manage complex opportunities

Energising leadership style

Adaptable and collaborative

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Overview

We are partnering with a leading global logistics organisation that is expanding its ocean freight commercial leadership team across Europe. We are currently searching for a Sales Manager - Ocean Freight to lead a high-performing regional sales team and accelerate growth within the ocean and freight forwarding segment. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior commercial leader with deep expertise in ocean freight, strong customer engagement capabilities, and a proven track record in building and coaching successful sales teams.

About the Role

As the Sales Manager for Ocean Freight, you will be responsible for developing and executing the organisation\'s commercial strategy for ocean solutions across the region. You will lead a team focused on winning, developing, and retaining strategic accounts, while working cross-functionally to deliver tailored freight forwarding solutions. The role requires a strategic thinker with strong operational and commercial understanding of ocean freight, combined with the ability to engage C-Suite stakeholders and drive the deployment of complex, global logistics solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development: Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing sales team focused on ocean freight growth; recruit, onboard, and develop sales professionals with strong industry knowledge; promote a growth mindset, continuous learning, and agile working styles; leverage digital and AI-driven tools to enhance team performance and decision-making.
• Commercial Strategy & Execution: Lead strategic sales initiatives for ocean and freight forwarding products across the region; develop and execute global sales strategies to achieve revenue, margin, and volume targets; identify market trends in ocean logistics to inform new business opportunities; build comprehensive business plans to secure new ocean freight accounts.
• Customer Engagement & Business Development: Prospect proactively through internal networks, market intelligence, and industry relationships; engage senior-level customer stakeholders to assess needs, ensure satisfaction, and manage at-risk accounts; support strategic customers with tailored solutions, collaborating with internal operations, pricing, and product teams; oversee the full proposal, pricing, and presentation process, ensuring a compelling value proposition for customers.
• Sales Process & Governance: Ensure accurate reporting across pipeline stages and business development activities; utilise established tools, processes, and systems to maintain up-to-date account data; continuously refine sales processes to optimise conversion and efficiency.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 8-10 years of commercial experience in ocean freight and freight forwarding sales.
• 5 years of leadership experience managing sales teams, ideally cross border.
• Proven success selling complex logistics solutions, ideally to C-Suite decision-makers.
• Deep understanding of the ocean freight import/export lifecycle.
• Strong background in developing and executing commercial strategies for major accounts.
• Competency in financial analysis, benchmarking, and account planning is highly valued.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset.
• Ability to manage complex, global opportunities with multiple stakeholders.
• Energising leadership style - professional, passionate, and engaging.
• Adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable driving change.