Sales Business Development Manager & Core Sales Lead

Hapag-Lloyd; Durban; On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading shipping company is seeking a Sales Team Leader to drive performance and maintain customer relations. The role involves coaching a high-performing sales team, managing the customer journey, and implementing effective strategies. Candidates should possess strong customer engagement skills and relevant academic qualifications.

Qualifications

• Very good command of written and spoken local language and English.
• Ability to set limits and engage effectively with customers.

Responsibilities

• Drive team to meet budget and sales goals.
• Maintain exceptional customer relations with core accounts.
• Lead and manage sales teams effectively.
• Conduct research and manage projects.

Skills

Customer-oriented attitude

Ability to work under pressure

Advanced knowledge of MS Office

Hands-on approach to customer engagement

Team player

Receptive to new ideas

Education

University degree or equivalent

Job description

Consistently meet budget per vessel and value-added product targets.

• Drive team to proactively react to ad-hoc initiatives such as filling a certain vessel or upselling specific product(s) to ensure full vessels and loads.
• Stay informed about market conditions, competition activities, pricing/rate levels, and other indicators that impact the ability to meet targets.
• Follow up on open Sales Leads and Opportunities.
• Develop sales strategies to increase business volume.

2. Provide appropriate customer solutions and maintain exceptional customer relations for all small to medium-sized customers.

• Drive high-quality service towards our smaller and mid-sized customers (Core Accounts) through digital and voice channels.
• Encourage the team to regularly exceed customer expectations.
• Ensure the sales process is consistently and effectively followed.
• Evaluate customer potential (Forecast/Budget) and conduct sales planning for incubation accounts.

3. The full customer journey is through the H-L homepage

• Educate and promote Hapag Lloyd's Navigator/homepage to ensure customers fully utilize the online solution.
• Seek continuous improvement in the Sales Core Desk and Business Development processes and systems.
• Collaborate closely with the digital department for innovation and system enhancements.

4. Lead and manage an empowered and high-performing team

• Coach and guide the Sales Core Desk and Business Development sub-teams to achieve targets.
• Hold the team fully accountable for their performance and results.
• Maintain open communication across stakeholders and within teams.
• Review and adjust team workload to ensure effective delivery.
• Ensure team members possess the necessary skills and abilities.
• Promote the company's values: we move, we care, we deliver.
• Drive effective change management where necessary.

5. Conduct ad hoc projects effectively, meeting objectives and deliverables.

• Perform research and analysis to present meaningful and useful information.
• Handle additional responsibilities required for ongoing project management or contributions.

Skills and Knowledge Required:

• University degree or equivalent.
• Very good command of written and spoken local language and English.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office tools.
• Ability to work well with others and follow guidelines.
• Hands-on approach to engaging with existing and new customers.
• Customer-oriented attitude with the ability to set limits.
• Receptive to new ideas and capable of grasping them quickly.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Result-driven team player with a proactive attitude.