Freight Forwarding Sales Account Executive

Focus; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Focus, a global logistics provider, seeks a Sales Account Executive in the Greater Chicago area. You will maintain and expand relationships with existing accounts, drive revenue growth, and introduce new freight service offerings, including air/ocean freight and customs brokerage.

You will build a strong pipeline and lead proposals with cross-functional teams. You will engage in quarterly business reviews, ensure high client satisfaction, and support onboarding from business development to

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of freight forwarding sales experience.
• Proven track record of managing client relationships, driving growth, and closing opportunities.
• Solid understanding of international freight forwarding, air/ocean modes, and customs brokerage.
• Strong pipeline management, deal closing, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent presentation, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Self-motivated team player with cross-functional collaboration across operations, service, and management.

Responsibilities

• Retain account volume and profitability through proactive account management.
• Expand revenue within assigned accounts by cross-selling, identifying stakeholders, and onboarding new locations.
• Promote and sell air and ocean freight, and customs brokerage services.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of new opportunities to increase regional market share.
• Lead the sales process with technical specialists and leadership to design solutions and proposals.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews with internal stakeholders to align on objectives.
• Support onboarding and transitions from Business Development to implementation.
• Collaborate with pricing teams to ensure timely RFP responses and bids.

Skills

Freight forwarding sales

Relationship management

Negotiation skills

Pipeline management

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Sales Account Executive

Salary Range: $70,000 - $110,000 annually (commensurate with experience) + commission

Location: Greater Chicago area

About the Company

We are an innovative global logistics provider and international freight forwarder committed to delivering customized supply chain solutions. Headquartered in New York with multiple regional offices across the United States and an extensive global partner network, we provide companies with true end-to-end global supply chain services. Our comprehensive capabilities encompass air and ocean freight, customs brokerage, warehousing, and purchase order/export management. We challenge conventional business models by designing progressive, tailored logistics solutions that help our clients navigate and succeed in today's evolving global marketplace.

Position Summary

Reporting to the local Branch Manager, the Sales Account Executive maintains and expands relationships with assigned customer accounts while meeting and exceeding sales and revenue goals. In this role, you will retain existing client partnerships, expand market share within assigned accounts, introduce new products and service offerings, and proactively drive new business relationships to increase brand presence within the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Retain account volume, sales, and overall profitability through proactive stewardship and strategic account management.

• Expand revenue potential within assigned accounts by cross-selling new products/services, identifying additional stakeholders/buyers, and onboarding new client locations.

• Promote and sell the full suite of international logistics products and services, including air freight, ocean freight, and customs brokerage.

• Build and manage a robust pipeline of new business opportunities to increase regional market share.

• Lead and participate in all stages of the sales process, collaborating with technical specialists and leadership to design solutions and deliver proposals.

• Direct joint customer planning efforts and conduct regular Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) in partnership with internal stakeholders.

• Proactively manage customer satisfaction, anticipate service hurdles, and recommend process improvements to ensure exceptional service delivery.

• Support smooth customer onboarding and account transitions from the Business Development group during client implementation.

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure all pricing, RFP responses, and bids are completed accurately and on time.

• Oversee the development, updating, and adherence of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for assigned clients.

• Travel within the region as needed to branch offices, customer sites, and industry events to achieve account objectives.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in freight forwarding sales.

• Proven track record of managing client relationships, driving business growth, and closing strategic supply chain opportunities.

• Solid understanding of international freight forwarding, air and ocean modes, customs brokerage, and global supply chain operations.

• Strong pipeline management, deal closing, and negotiation skills.

• Excellent presentation, written, and interpersonal communication capabilities.

• Self-motivated team player with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally across operations, customer service, and management.

Position Alignment & Direct Reports

• Reports to: Local Branch Manager

• Direct Reports: None

• Internal Collaboration: Works closely with sales specialists, implementation resources, service teams, and Customer Service representatives to ensure client satisfaction and problem resolution.

Benefits & Compensation

We offer a collaborative, growth-oriented environment along with a competitive compensation package and robust employee benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage with company cost-sharing

• Health Savings Account (HSA) option with direct company contributions

• Company-paid Medical Bridge Program to assist with deductible expenses

• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 100% company-paid Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a generous company match

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) schedule (scalable over 4 weeks of PTO by year 5)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional, legal, and financial support

• Employee Recognition Program

• Corporate Giveback Program ($500 annual individual charity donation match)

#OS123