Senior BD Manager (Ocean Freight)

Direct Search Global; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Direct Search Global in Singapore seeks a Senior BD Manager to lead strategic client relationships and drive growth through integrated 4PL solutions. You will own commercial interfaces with key accounts, coordinating with operations, technology and logistics partners to deliver end-to-end logistics services.

The ideal candidate has several years of KAM/BD experience in logistics, strong negotiation and stakeholder-management skills, and a track record of expanding major accounts in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in key account management or business development within logistics or supply chain.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain and logistics operations.
• Proven ability to identify and develop account-growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop relationships with key strategic customers, acting as the primary point of contact for commercial and account-related matters.
• Develop a strong understanding of customers' supply chain requirements, business objectives and operational challenges.
• Take ownership of customer satisfaction, service performance and overall account health.
• Work closely with internal teams and external logistics partners to ensure end-to-end supply chain solutions are delivered effectively.
• Coordinate with transport providers, freight forwarders, warehouses, carriers and other third-party service providers as required.
• Monitor account performance against agreed KPIs, SLAs and contractual requirements.
• Conduct regular business reviews with customers, presenting performance updates, operational insights and improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for account growth, cross-selling and solution expansion across logistics and supply chain services.
• Develop and maintain account plans, customer strategies and commercial development plans.
• Identify customer pain points and work with internal stakeholders to develop practical and commercially viable solutions.
• Support contract negotiations, pricing discussions, tenders, renewals and commercial proposals.
• Prepare quotations, business proposals and presentations for existing and potential customers.
• Monitor market trends, customer requirements and developments within the logistics and supply chain industry.
• Manage escalations professionally and work with relevant stakeholders to resolve customer issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate records of account activities, opportunities, customer requirements and commercial discussions.
• Collaborate with regional and global teams to identify and leverage cross-border opportunities.
• Represent the organisation at customer meetings, industry events and relevant business networking activities.

Skills

Key account management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Relationship building

Commercial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business or related field

Job description

Senior BD Manager – 4PL / Supply Chain Solutions

Location: Singapore
Industry: Logistics / Supply Chain / 4PL
Employment Type: Full-time

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Key Account Manager to take ownership of strategic customer relationships, ensuring high levels of service delivery while identifying opportunities to expand and strengthen existing accounts.

The successful candidate will act as the primary commercial and relationship interface between the organisation and its key customers, working closely with internal operations, supply chain, technology and logistics partners to deliver integrated solutions.

This is a highly stakeholder-driven role suited to someone with strong commercial awareness, excellent relationship-management skills and a good understanding of complex supply chain operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop relationships with key strategic customers, acting as the primary point of contact for commercial and account-related matters.
• Develop a strong understanding of customers' supply chain requirements, business objectives and operational challenges.
• Take ownership of customer satisfaction, service performance and overall account health.
• Work closely with internal teams and external logistics partners to ensure end-to-end supply chain solutions are delivered effectively.
• Coordinate with transport providers, freight forwarders, warehouses, carriers and other third-party service providers as required.
• Monitor account performance against agreed KPIs, SLAs and contractual requirements.
• Conduct regular business reviews with customers, presenting performance updates, operational insights and improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for account growth, cross-selling and solution expansion across logistics and supply chain services.
• Develop and maintain account plans, customer strategies and commercial development plans.
• Identify customer pain points and work with internal stakeholders to develop practical and commercially viable solutions.
• Support contract negotiations, pricing discussions, tenders, renewals and commercial proposals.
• Prepare quotations, business proposals and presentations for existing and potential customers.
• Monitor market trends, customer requirements and developments within the logistics and supply chain industry.
• Manage escalations professionally and work with relevant stakeholders to resolve customer issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate records of account activities, opportunities, customer requirements and commercial discussions.
• Collaborate with regional and global teams to identify and leverage cross-border opportunities.
• Represent the organisation at customer meetings, industry events and relevant business networking activities.

Business Development & Growth

A key component of this role will be to grow and develop existing strategic accounts.

You will be expected to:

• Identify opportunities to increase the scope of services provided to existing customers.
• Develop relationships with multiple stakeholders and decision-makers within customer organisations.
• Understand customers' future supply chain requirements and position relevant solutions accordingly.
• Generate and manage a pipeline of account-development opportunities.
• Work with solution design and operations teams to develop customised 4PL solutions.
• Contribute to RFPs, RFQs and tender exercises.
• Negotiate commercial terms while maintaining strong customer relationships and protecting company margins.

Requirements:

• Degree or Diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business, Transport or a related discipline.
• Several years of experience in key account management, customer management, business development or commercial roles within logistics or supply chain.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain and logistics operations.
• Experience managing large or strategic B2B customers.
• Experience working with multiple logistics partners, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to identify and develop account-growth opportunities.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Strong stakeholder-management capabilities, including the ability to work with senior decision-makers.
• Ability to analyse customer requirements and translate them into practical supply chain solutions.
• Strong problem-solving and escalation-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with regional and global teams.
• Proactive, commercially minded and customer-focused approach.

Success in the Role

Success in this position will be measured by the ability to retain and strengthen strategic customer relationships, improve customer satisfaction, deliver against agreed service levels and identify opportunities to grow existing accounts.

The successful candidate will be someone who can understand the customer's business beyond day-to-day logistics requirements and position the organisation as a strategic supply chain partner rather than simply a logistics service provider.