Ship Chandler

Direct Search Global; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Direct Search Global is hiring for an Ocean Freight Sales professional in Singapore to lead business development, focusing on new customer acquisition and growing the Ocean Freight book.

You will manage the full sales cycle—from lead generation and cold calling to quotation, negotiation and closing—and work with Pricing, Operations and Customer Service to deliver tailored FCL/LCL solutions across international lanes.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business, International Trade or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of Sales/Business Development experience within freight forwarding or logistics, preferably specialising in Ocean Freight.
• Strong knowledge of FCL, LCL, import/export procedures, Incoterms, shipping documentation and international trade lanes.
• Proven sales hunting experience, with the ability to prospect, develop and convert new customers independently.
• Existing network of importers, exporters, manufacturers, traders or other ocean freight customers would be highly advantageous.
• Good commercial understanding of freight rates, pricing, gross profit and margin management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business development strategies to grow Ocean Freight business, with a strong focus on new customer acquisition.
• Identify, prospect and secure new business opportunities with importers, exporters, manufacturers, traders and multinational companies.
• Manage the complete sales cycle from lead generation, cold calling and client meetings through quotation, negotiation and closing.
• Promote and sell FCL and LCL ocean freight solutions, including import and export services across key international trade lanes.
• Understand customers' shipping requirements and provide customised logistics solutions based on cargo type, volume, routing, transit time and pricing requirements.
• Develop and maintain a strong sales pipeline and consistently achieve revenue, gross profit and new-business targets.
• Build long-term relationships with new and existing customers, identifying opportunities for account development, upselling and cross-selling.
• Work closely with Pricing, Operations and Customer Service teams to develop competitive quotations and ensure smooth shipment execution.
• Monitor ocean freight rates, carrier capacity, market trends and competitor activities to identify commercial opportunities.
• Maintain good relationships with shipping lines, overseas agents and logistics partners to support competitive service offerings.
• Negotiate pricing and commercial terms while ensuring appropriate profit margins and customer profitability.
• Prepare sales forecasts, pipeline reports and regular business development updates for management.
• Participate in customer visits, networking events, exhibitions and industry functions to expand the company's market presence.
• Ensure proper handover of newly secured accounts to the operations/customer service teams while maintaining commercial oversight of key customers.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business development strategies to grow the company's Ocean Freight business, with a strong focus on new customer acquisition.
• Identify, prospect and secure new business opportunities with importers, exporters, manufacturers, traders and multinational companies.
• Manage the complete sales cycle from lead generation, cold calling and client meetings through quotation, negotiation and closing.
• Promote and sell FCL and LCL ocean freight solutions, including import and export services across key international trade lanes.
• Understand customers' shipping requirements and provide customised logistics solutions based on cargo type, volume, routing, transit time and pricing requirements.
• Develop and maintain a strong sales pipeline and consistently achieve revenue, gross profit and new-business targets.
• Build long-term relationships with new and existing customers, identifying opportunities for account development, upselling and cross-selling.
• Work closely with Pricing, Operations and Customer Service teams to develop competitive quotations and ensure smooth shipment execution.
• Monitor ocean freight rates, carrier capacity, market trends and competitor activities to identify commercial opportunities.
• Maintain good relationships with shipping lines, overseas agents and logistics partners to support competitive service offerings.
• Negotiate pricing and commercial terms while ensuring appropriate profit margins and customer profitability.
• Prepare sales forecasts, pipeline reports and regular business development updates for management.
• Participate in customer visits, networking events, exhibitions and industry functions to expand the company's market presence.
• Ensure proper handover of newly secured accounts to the operations/customer service teams while maintaining commercial oversight of key customers.

Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business, International Trade or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of Sales/Business Development experience within freight forwarding or logistics, preferably specialising in Ocean Freight.
• Strong knowledge of FCL, LCL, import/export procedures, Incoterms, shipping documentation and international trade lanes.
• Proven sales hunting experience, with the ability to prospect, develop and convert new customers independently.
• Existing network of importers, exporters, manufacturers, traders or other ocean freight customers would be highly advantageous.
• Good commercial understanding of freight rates, pricing, gross profit and margin management.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, communication and relationship-management skills.
• Self-driven and commercially minded, with a strong track record of achieving sales and revenue targets.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with operational and regional teams.

Ideal Candidate: A strong Ocean Freight sales hunter who can demonstrate which accounts they have personally brought into their current/previous company, the revenue or GP generated, their key trade lanes, and an established customer network they can develop.