Director Business Development, International Freight Forwarding

Ascent On-Demand; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascent Global Logistics is seeking a high-energy sales professional in the United States to develop and maintain relationships with customers, uncover opportunities, and lead the sale of international airfreight solutions. You will travel up to 50% to meet prospects and close deals across aerospace, automotive, high-tech, e-commerce, and industrial sectors.

The role requires a strong background in international freight forwarding, a proven sales record, and the ability to create competitive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 7-10 years related experience
• Demonstrated expertise in International Freight Forwarding

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships through regular in-person communication and travel, establishing multiple points of contact within customer organizations
• Foster relationships with mid-tier and top-tier customers, understanding their business needs to identify upsell/cross-sell opportunities
• Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities with a strong pipeline of prospects
• Leverage airfreight and ocean knowledge to engage potential clients
• Lead consultative sales of Ascent's international airfreight portfolio including direct, back-to-back, expedited/next-flight-out, and air charter solutions
• Target and win business in airfreight-intensive sectors such as aerospace, automotive, high-tech, e-commerce, and manufacturing
• Collaborate with pricing, procurement, and operations to develop competitive proposals and lane-level rate structures
• Utilize airline/GSA/overseas agent relationships to secure capacity through space agreements and contingencies
• Monitor global air cargo market dynamics and translate them into proactive customer strategies
• Analyze shipping data to optimize modes balancing time, cost, and inventory
• Present logistics solutions delivering sustainable and strategic value
• Build strategic partnerships with key decision-makers across organizations
• Provide customers with market intelligence and industry updates to support decisions
• Serve as a trusted advisor on transportation and supply chain solutions
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time

Skills

Relationship building

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About Ascent

Ascent Global Logistics, headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, is a leading global provider of expedited, time-critical logistics solutions and other direct transportation services. The company connects customers to its extensive carrier network, internal ground fleet and airline via its proprietary, digital PEAK freight marketplace, which provides robust carrier capacity and transparent pricing, backed by 24/7/365 logistics experts. Ascent's offerings include air charter and ground expedited solutions as well as truckload, less-than-truckload, global forwarding, brokerage, and managed transportation services. The experienced Ascent team solves customers' most challenging logistics needs by providing industry-leading service and top-tier satisfaction.

Our Guiding Principles

At the core of Ascent's culture is a strong commitment to excellence, driven by the passion and dedication of every team member. We're equally dedicated to going above and beyond for our customers, ensuring this commitment extends beyond our team and brings exceptional value to those we serve. We aim for perfect execution in everything we do and 'play hard' by creating an environment where tasks are performed with a can-do attitude from start to finish. We 'play smart' by delivering on our commitments in an honest, fair and ethical manner. We treat every person with whom we interface with the utmost dignity and respect. We understand that our teammates are our most valuable assets, so we 'play together' by making every effort to provide a professional and enjoyable experience, enabling careers to flourish and personal growth to be achieved.

What You'll Do

• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships through regular in-person communication and travel, establishing multiple points of contact within customer organizations
• Foster relationships with mid-tier and top-tier customers, clearly understanding their business needs to identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling
• Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities, curating a consistent, strong pipeline of ideal prospects.
• Leverage deep airfreight industry expertise, complemented by ocean knowledge, to effectively engage with potential clients
• Lead the consultative sale of Ascent's international airfreight portfolio, including direct and back-to-back, expedited/next-flight-out, and air charter solutions
• Target and win business in airfreight-intensive verticals such as aerospace, automotive, high-tech and semiconductor, e-commerce, and industrial manufacturing
• Partner with pricing, procurement, and operations teams to develop competitive airfreight proposals and RFP/RFQ responses, including lane-level rate structures, chargeable weight analysis, and fuel and security surcharge considerations
• Leverage airline, GSA, and overseas agent relationships, along with Ascent's air charter capabilities, to secure capacity through block space agreements, allocations, and contingency plans during peak seasons and market disruptions
• Monitor and interpret global air cargo market dynamics, including capacity, rate trends, trade lane shifts, and geopolitical and regulatory changes, and translate them into proactive customer strategies
• Analyze customer shipping data to identify mode optimization opportunities (air vs. ocean vs. sea-air) that balance transit time, cost, and inventory goals
• Proactively identify and develop opportunities for Ascent's international logistics solutions
• Present compelling logistics solutions to prospective customers that deliver sustainable and strategic value
• Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key decision-makers across multiple levels within customer organizations
• Provide customers with consistent market intelligence and industry updates to enhance their decision-making processes
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers, offering expert guidance on transportation and supply chain solutions
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or a minimum of 7-10 years related experience and/or training; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered
• Demonstrated expertise and a proven track record within the International Freight Forwarding segment, with