Freight Forwarding Manager (Operations & Business Development)

The Working Earth; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,250,000; Full time

Job summary

The Working Earth in Midrand, South Africa, is seeking an experienced Freight Forwarding Operations & Team Leader to drive daily sea and air freight activities. You will lead a team, manage FCL/LCL shipments, ensure documentation and customs compliance, and coordinate with carriers and agents.

You will also spearhead business development, build a strong sales pipeline, and grow revenue across key sectors while monitoring margins and profitability.

Qualifications

• Sea freight experience is essential.
• Minimum 5 years in sea freight or logistics.
• Previous leadership or supervision of a sea freight team.
• Strong knowledge of sea freight imports/exports (FCL/LCL).
• Working knowledge of sea freight processes, customs, Incoterms.
• Proven in business development and new client acquisition.
• Understanding of freight pricing, costing and profitability.
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills.
• Experience with ERP/CRM or transport management systems.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day activities of the freight forwarding team.
• Oversee sea freight and air freight import and export operations.
• Manage FCL and LCL shipments from booking to delivery.
• Ensure accurate shipping documentation and customs compliance.
• Coordinate with lines, airlines, transporters, brokers and agents.
• Resolve operational challenges and customer escalations efficiently.
• Monitor KPIs, service levels and team productivity.
• Coach and develop team members for operational excellence.
• Develop and implement strategies to acquire new clients and grow revenue.
• Build and manage a robust sales pipeline.
• Pursue new business opportunities and conduct client meetings.
• Grow market share across multiple sectors and expand existing accounts.
• Achieve sales, revenue and gross profit targets.
• Review quotations, freight rates and pricing structures.
• Monitor margins, profitability and job costing.
• Ensure accurate billing and timely invoicing.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Freight Forwarding Operations & Team Leadership

• Lead and manage the day-to-day activities of the freight forwarding team.
• Oversee sea freight and air freight import and export operations.
• Manage FCL and LCL shipments from booking through to final delivery.
• Ensure accurate shipping documentation and compliance with customs requirements.
• Coordinate with shipping lines, airlines, transporters, customs brokers and international agents.
• Resolve operational challenges and customer escalations efficiently.
• Monitor operational performance, service levels and team productivity.
• Coach, mentor and develop team members to achieve operational excellence.

Business Development & Sales

• Develop and implement strategies to acquire new clients and grow revenue.
• Build and manage a robust sales pipeline.
• Identify, pursue and convert new business opportunities.
• Conduct client meetings, presentations and commercial negotiations.
• Grow market share across sectors including manufacturing, mining, engineering, energy, construction and retail.
• Expand existing customer accounts and establish long-term client relationships.
• Achieve agreed sales, revenue and gross profit targets.

Commercial Management

• Review quotations, freight rates and customer pricing structures.
• Monitor margins, profitability and job costing.
• Ensure billing accuracy and timely invoicing.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiencies and profitability.
• Manage commercial risks and support strategic decision-making.

Customer Relationship Management

• Maintain strong relationships with customers and stakeholders.
• Ensure professional communication and service delivery.
• Resolve customer queries and complaints effectively.
• Drive customer retention and repeat business opportunities.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Prepare operational and sales performance reports.
• Track KPIs, shipment volumes, revenue and gross profit performance.
• Maintain accurate customer and operational records.
• Provide management with recommendations to improve business performance.

Minimum Requirements

• Must have Sea Freight experience.
• Relevant qualification in Logistics, Supply Chain, Shipping or Freight Forwarding preferred.
• Minimum 5 years' experience within sea freight or logistics.
• Previous experience leading or supervising a sea freight forwarding team.
• Strong knowledge of sea freight imports and exports, including FCL and LCL shipments.
• Working knowledge of sea freight, customs processes, shipping documentation and Incoterms.
• Proven success in business development and new customer acquisition.
• Strong understanding of freight pricing, costing and profitability.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and reporting skills.
• Experience using freight forwarding, ERP, CRM or transport management systems.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving abilities.

Advantageous

• Existing network of logistics and freight forwarding industry contacts.
• Experience servicing sectors such as mining, engineering, manufacturing, construction or energy.
• Experience with CargoWise or similar freight forwarding platforms.
• Valid driver's licence and own reliable transport.

Ideal Candidate Profile

You are:

• Commercially driven and results-focused.
• Equally comfortable leading operations and securing new business.
• A hands-on leader who takes ownership and accountability.
• Customer-focused with strong relationship-building skills.
• Skilled at identifying growth opportunities and improving profitability.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced logistics environment.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to lead and grow a freight forwarding division.
• Exposure to local and international logistics operations.
• Ability to influence business growth and strategic direction.
• Dynamic environment with strong career development opportunities.