Business Development Manager

Altius Talent | Freight Forwarding Recruitment; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Altius Talent | Freight Forwarding Recruitment in Chicago seeks an experienced Business Development Manager to win new Air & Ocean freight business and grow revenue. This is a commercial role with no team management, requiring a strong Chicago network and a track record in international freight sales.

You will own your book of business, identify prospects, and convert conversations into new shipments while collaborating with internal teams to onboard customers and deliver against revenue targets.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in international freight forwarding sales or business development.
• Strong experience across Air & Ocean Freight.
• Proven history of developing and winning new accounts.
• Good knowledge of international import and export supply chains.
• Experience with freight pricing, quoting and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strong prospect pipeline in the Chicago market.
• Identify companies with international Air & Ocean freight needs.
• Develop relationships with shippers, importers, exporters and key decision-makers.
• Qualify and convert new business opportunities from first contact to close.
• Lead pricing, proposals and commercial negotiations.
• Develop newly won accounts and identify growth opportunities.
• Maintain up-to-date CRM activity and pipeline.
• Coordinate with internal teams for onboarding of new customers.

Skills

International freight forwarding sales

New business development

Account development

Negotiation skills

Prospecting

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Business Development Manager - Air & Ocean Freight

Chicago, IL

We’re partnered with an established international freight forwarder that is continuing to grow its commercial presence in Chicago and is looking to bring on an experienced Business Development Manager.

This is a purely commercial role focused on winning new business and growing revenue, rather than managing a team.

The ideal person will already have a strong network within the Chicago market and understand how to sell international freight solutions to companies with complex import and export requirements.

The Opportunity

You’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of your territory and build your own book of business.

The focus is on identifying companies with international logistics requirements, getting in front of the right decision-makers and converting those conversations into new Air & Ocean freight business.

You’ll work alongside an experienced internal team while having the autonomy to manage your sales activity and develop your market.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strong prospect pipeline throughout the Chicago market
• Identify companies with international Air & Ocean freight requirements
• Develop relationships with shippers, importers, exporters and key decision-makers
• Prospect, qualify and convert new business opportunities
• Take ownership of the sales process from first contact through to closeUnderstand customer supply chains and position appropriate freight solutions
• Prepare quotes and proposals and lead commercial negotiations
• Develop newly won accounts and identify further opportunities for growth
• Keep CRM activity and pipeline information up to date
• Work with internal teams to support the successful onboarding of new customers
• Deliver against agreed sales, revenue and new business objectives

What We’re Looking For

This role is suited to someone who already knows the international freight forwarding market and has a genuine track record of winning new business.

You should have:

• 3+ years of experience in international freight forwarding sales or business development
• Strong experience across Air & Ocean Freight
• A proven history of developing and winning new accounts
• Good knowledge of international import and export supply chains
• Experience with freight pricing, quoting and commercial negotiations
• Strong relationships and communication skills
• A proactive approach to prospecting and generating opportunities
• Knowledge of the Chicago market and experience selling into local shippers would be a plus