Trade Lane Manager

Switch Recruit (Pty) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A global logistics leader is seeking an experienced Trade Lane Development Manager to drive trade growth and develop key markets in South Africa. This role requires a minimum of 10 years in logistics, a strong commercial acumen, and proven sales management success. The successful candidate will enhance sales performance, refine trade strategies, and maintain customer relationships in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the logistics industry.
• Proven success in Sales or Commercial Management roles.
• Deep understanding of trade lanes, freight forwarding and logistics operations.
• Commercially astute with excellent business acumen.
• Strong presentation, facilitation and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Account for overall sales results within the country, coordinating and controlling strategic sales activities.
• Develop and implement sales strategies in line with the country’s business objectives.
• Drive market growth, customer acquisition and retention.
• Lead and improve sales performance through process optimization.
• Support customer strategies and lead contract negotiations at the country level.
• Analyze market and technology trends to guide changes within the sales function.
• Refine trade lane strategies to ensure competitive positioning.
• Achieve market share and revenue growth targets across designated trade lanes.

Job description

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving trade growth and building powerful international partnerships?

Our client, a global leader in logistics and freight solutions, is seeking an experienced Trade Lane Development Manager to lead the development, optimization and expansion of trade lanes across key markets.

Join a global leader in logistics and make your mark in an environment that values innovation, collaboration and excellence.

Responsibilities

• Account for overall sales results within the country, coordinating and controlling strategic sales activities with high business impact.
• Develop and implement sales strategies in line with the country’s business objectives and group guidelines.
• Drive market growth, customer acquisition and retention at a national level.
• Lead and improve sales performance through process optimization and performance measurement.
• Support customer strategies and lead contract negotiations at the country level.
• Identify and validate improvement areas using sales pipeline reporting in collaboration with sales effectiveness teams.
• Analyze market and technology trends to guide changes within the sales function.
• Refine trade lane strategies to ensure competitive positioning.
• Achieve market share and revenue growth targets across designated trade lanes.
• Conduct annual assessments of trade routes and coordinate strategic adjustments.
• Ensure efficient resource utilization and continuous productivity improvement.
• Monitor operational KPIs, ensuring targets are met or exceeded.
• Hold weekly review sessions with key stakeholders, providing updates and action plans.
• Support both Sea Freight and Air Freight product and sales divisions.
• Implement operational and strategic modifications that influence divisional performance and profitability.
• Maintain healthy trade and customer relationships at all times.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the logistics industry.
• Proven success in Sales or Commercial Management roles.
• Deep understanding of trade lanes, freight forwarding and logistics operations.
• Commercially astute with excellent business acumen.
• Strong presentation, facilitation and negotiation skills.