Account Executive

MLM Transport; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + uncapped commission

Strong operational support

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

MLM Transport in Knoxville is seeking a VP of Business Development to drive new business growth and nurture strategic client relationships across freight brokerage and asset-based transport. Lead a cradle-to-grave sales cycle, partner with operations, and shape the company’s growth strategy.

You will build a book of business, negotiate profitable freight opportunities, manage key accounts, and expand services through new lanes and modes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in freight brokerage, transportation, or logistics sales.
• Proven success in developing new business and growing customer relationships.
• Shippers, carriers, and freight markets experience helpful.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new shipping customers through outbound sales and relationship building.
• Maintain long-term partnerships by understanding transportation needs and offering logistics solutions.
• Manage accounts from opportunity to onboarding and growth.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure successful freight execution and service excellence.
• Generate competitive pricing and negotiate profitable opportunities.
• Expand relationships with additional modes, lanes, and services.
• Utilize CRM and TMS to track activity, pipeline, and accounts.
• Stay informed on market conditions to provide strategic recommendations.
• Develop and execute sales strategies aligned to revenue goals.
• Represent MLM Transport at events and trade organizations.
• Identify new markets and growth opportunities with leadership.

Skills

Sales leadership

New business development

Relationship building

Negotiation

Strategic account management

CRM familiarity

TMS experience

Tools

CRM systems

TMS platforms

Job description

MLM Transport is a rapidly growing transportation and logistics company providing both asset-based transportation and freight brokerage solutions. With operations centered around the Ports of Charleston, Savannah, and Houston, our team is built on responsiveness, strong relationships, and delivering solutions that keep our customers' supply chains moving.

We're looking for a driven sales leader who thrives on building relationships, winning new business, and helping grow an already fast-growing company. If you're competitive, customer-focused, and want unlimited earning potential with a company that’s investing heavily in its future.

Position Summary

The VP of Business Development is responsible for driving new business growth while developing long-term strategic customer relationships. This role is ideal for a proven freight sales professional who enjoys building a book of business, creating opportunities, and partnering with operations to deliver exceptional service.

As a leader within our commercial team, you'll help shape the company's growth strategy while managing key accounts from prospecting through successful execution. Although this is a cradle to grave soles role, you'll work closely with operations, leadership, and carrier partners to ensure customers receive dependable transportation solutions backed by outstanding service.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prospect, and develop new shipping customers through outbound sales efforts, networking, referrals, and relationship building.
• Build and maintain long-term partnerships with customers by understanding their transportation needs and providing customized logistics solutions.
• Manage customer accounts from initial opportunity through onboarding and ongoing account growth.
• Collaborate closely with operations to ensure freight is executed successfully while delivering a high level of customer service.
• Generate competitive pricing and negotiate profitable freight opportunities.
• Expand existing customer relationships through additional modes, lanes, and service offerings.
• Utilize CRM and TMS platforms to manage customer activity, pipeline, opportunities, and account information.
• Stay informed on freight market conditions, capacity trends, and pricing to provide strategic recommendations to customers.
• Develop and execute sales strategies that contribute to company revenue goals.
• Represent MLM Transport professionally within the industry through networking events, customer meetings, and trade organizations.
• Work alongside leadership to identify new markets, strategic opportunities, and long-term growth initiatives.
• Maintain accurate documentation and customer records while ensuring compliance with company standards.

Qualifications

Experience

• 5+ years of freight brokerage, transportation, or logistics sales experience preferred.
• Proven success developing new business and growing customer relationships.
• Existing transportation book of business is a plus but not required.
• Experience working with shippers, carriers, and freight markets.

Skills

• Strong prospecting and business development abilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to identify customer needs and provide transportation solutions.
• Highly organized with strong time management skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Self-motivated with a competitive, hunter mentality.
• Experience using CRM and TMS platforms is preferred.

What We're Looking For

• Competitive and driven.
• Positive attitude with a team-first mindset.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to grow.
• Coachable and eager to continuously improve.
• Passion for building relationships and delivering exceptional customer service.

Why MLM Transport?

• Base salary ($45k) plus uncapped commission
• Sell both our brokerage services and our asset-based transportation solutions
• Strong operational support so you can focus on growing your business
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture
• Career advancement opportunities as the company continues to expand