Business Development Manager – Freight Forwarding & Team Leadership

WorkforceSync SA; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Workforcesync is seeking a hands-on Business Development Manager for Freight Forwarding & Team Leadership in Midrand, Gauteng. You will quote, win new business and lead the operations team to grow the freight forwarding business while maintaining high service standards.

The role blends commercial growth with operational excellence, overseeing sea freight imports/exports (FCL/LCL), coordinating with shipping lines, and developing profitable client relationships. Immediate availability preferred.

Qualifications

• Matric with a qualification in Logistics, Supply Chain, Shipping or Freight Forwarding, or equivalent practical industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of ocean/sea freight, including FCL and LCL.
• Working knowledge of air freight, Incoterms and customs clearance.
• Proven management or team leadership experience.
• Demonstrable business development and new customer acquisition experience.
• Experience preparing freight quotations and negotiating with shipping lines.
• Understanding of freight pricing, costing and gross profit margins.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and reporting skills.
• Experience using freight forwarding, ERP, TMS or CRM systems such as CargoWise, SAP or equivalent.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify prospects, generate leads, manage the sales pipeline and convert opportunities into profitable business.
• Target industries such as mining, energy, petroleum, construction, engineering, manufacturing and retail.
• Promote sea freight, air freight, customs clearance, transportation and warehousing services where required.
• Conduct client visits, presentations and commercial negotiations.
• Develop new customer relationships and grow existing accounts.
• Achieve agreed sales, revenue and gross profit targets.
• Lead, coach and develop the freight forwarding operations team.
• Oversee sea and air freight imports and exports, including documentation, cargo releases and customs coordination.
• Maintain effective working relationships with shipping lines, airlines, overseas agents, customs brokers and transporters.
• Manage operational escalations and minimise demurrage and detention costs.
• Review freight quotations, job costing, pricing, margins and invoicing.
• Monitor operational performance and ensure service delivery standards are maintained.
• Prepare weekly and monthly commercial and operational performance reports for the Managing Director.

Skills

Freight forwarding

Team leadership

Business development

Sales experience

Negotiation

Education

Logistics/Shipping qualification

Tools

CargoWise

ERP systems

CRM systems

SAP

TMS

Job description

Business Development Manager – Freight Forwarding & Team Leadership
Are you a sea freight professional who can quote, win new business and lead a team?

Workforcesync is looking for a hands‑on, commercially driven manager to grow its freight forwarding business while leading the operations team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing new customer relationships, securing profitable business and maintaining high operational standards across freight forwarding activities.

This position requires someone who understands both the commercial and operational sides of freight forwarding, with a proven ability to generate new business and lead people.

• At least 5 years' experience in freight forwarding or logistics, with strong sea freight (FCL/LCL) import and export knowledge.
• Previous experience managing or supervising a freight forwarding operations team.
• Demonstrable experience personally acquiring new customers and generating freight revenue.
• Experience preparing freight quotations and estimates and working directly with shipping lines.
• Exposure to vehicle or car shipping and related logistics processes.

Business Development & Commercial Growth

• Identify prospects, generate leads, manage the sales pipeline and convert opportunities into profitable business.
• Target industries such as mining, energy, petroleum, construction, engineering, manufacturing and retail.
• Promote sea freight, air freight, customs clearance, transportation and warehousing services where required.
• Conduct client visits, presentations and commercial negotiations.
• Develop new customer relationships and grow existing accounts.
• Achieve agreed sales, revenue and gross profit targets.

Freight Operations & Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the freight forwarding operations team.
• Oversee sea and air freight imports and exports, including documentation, cargo releases and customs coordination.
• Maintain effective working relationships with shipping lines, airlines, overseas agents, customs brokers and transporters.
• Manage operational escalations and minimise demurrage and detention costs.
• Review freight quotations, job costing, pricing, margins and invoicing.
• Monitor operational performance and ensure service delivery standards are maintained.
• Prepare weekly and monthly commercial and operational performance reports for the Managing Director.

Requirements

• Matric, together with a qualification in Logistics, Supply Chain, Shipping or Freight Forwarding, or equivalent practical industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of ocean/sea freight, including FCL and LCL.
• Working knowledge of air freight, Incoterms and customs clearance.
• Proven management or team leadership experience.
• Demonstrable business development and new customer acquisition experience.
• Experience preparing freight quotations and negotiating with shipping lines.
• Understanding of freight pricing, costing and gross profit margins.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and reporting skills.
• Experience using freight forwarding, ERP, TMS or CRM systems such as CargoWise, SAP or equivalent.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem‑solving skills.

Advantageous

• CargoWise experience.
• An established network of freight and logistics industry contacts.
• Experience in industrial sectors such as mining, engineering, manufacturing, energy or construction.
• Valid driver’s licence and own transport for client visits.

Additional Information

• Permanent position based in Midrand, Gauteng.
• Immediate availability or a short notice period is preferred.