Senior Business Development Manager

Senior Business Development Manager

Full-Time 36000 - 44000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
B

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive business growth in the UK & EU freight forwarding market and build lasting relationships.
  • Company: Join a leading logistics company with a strong international presence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work closely with international teams and expand your professional network.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in global trade while working with diverse teams and clients.
  • Qualifications: Experience in freight forwarding and a knack for developing new business.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.

About the Role

This is a business development-focused position for someone who understands the UK & EU freight forwarding market, enjoys opening new doors, and has a proven ability to build long-term relationships with direct shippers.

You will be responsible for developing new business opportunities across Air Freight and Ocean Freight, with particular opportunities across UK/EU–China, UK/EU–Asia and wider international trade lanes.

The successful candidate will work closely with our UK operations and product team, as well as BSI's overseas offices and extensive network in China, to develop competitive and practical logistics solutions for customers.

Responsibilities

  • Identify, prospect and win new direct shipper / BCO customers in the UK market.
  • Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified business opportunities.
  • Develop relationships with logistics, supply chain, procurement and other relevant decision-makers.
  • Conduct regular face-to-face / online customer meetings, site visits and commercial presentations.
  • Use a structured combination of networking, referrals, cold outreach, Linked In, industry events and other prospecting channels to generate new opportunities.
  • Understand customers' supply chain requirements and develop tailored Air, Ocean and multimodal freight solutions.
  • Work closely with Product, Pricing, Operations and overseas offices to develop competitive commercial proposals.
  • Convert opportunities into sustainable, profitable and long-term business.
  • Develop existing customer relationships where cross-selling opportunities exist.
  • Maintain strong market awareness covering customers, competitors, carriers, suppliers and industry developments.
  • Manage sales activity, pipeline and commercial performance against agreed targets.
  • Represent BSI Freight UK at relevant customer meetings, exhibitions, networking events and industry activities.

Qualifications

Our priority is an experienced freight forwarding professional with a strong commercial track record in the UK market. Ideally, you will have:

  • Required Skills
  • Significant experience within the UK freight forwarding or international logistics industry.
  • A proven track record of winning and developing direct shipper accounts.
  • Strong Air Freight and/or Ocean Freight knowledge.
  • Demonstrable success in new business development and GP generation.
  • An established network within the UK freight and shipper community.
  • The confidence and experience to approach senior decision-makers and open new business opportunities.
  • A good understanding of freight pricing, operations and customer service requirements.
  • Strong commercial judgement with a clear focus on profitability and sustainable growth.
  • A proactive, resilient and self-motivated approach to business development.
  • The ability to work independently in the market while collaborating closely with operations and product teams.
  • Preferred Skills

Candidates with a stable and successful long-term career history within freight forwarding are particularly encouraged to apply.

We are also interested in hearing from highly experienced freight forwarding professionals currently working in:

  • Key Account Management
  • Customer Service
  • Freight Operations
  • Product Management

If you have strong customer-facing experience, deep freight forwarding knowledge, clear commercial instincts and a genuine ambition to move into a business development role, we would be interested in hearing from you.

China & Asia Experience

Given BSI's strong network and market position in China, experience involving China–UK, Asia–UK or China–Europe trade lanes would be particularly valuable.

We would especially welcome candidates who have experience

  • Working with Chinese-owned businesses or Asian manufacturers.
  • Managing China/Asia-related import or export business.
  • Working with customers, suppliers or overseas offices in China.
  • Operating effectively across both UK and Chinese/Asian business environments.

Mandarin and/or Cantonese language capability would be a significant advantage, but is not essential.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Senior Business Development Manager employer: Best Services International Freight UK Ltd

At BSI Freight UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture. Our team enjoys comprehensive benefits, including professional development opportunities tailored to enhance your career in the freight forwarding industry. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive environment, you will have the chance to thrive while making meaningful contributions to our international logistics solutions.

B

Contact Details:

Best Services International Freight UK Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development Manager

Get Involved in Industry Events

Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Best Services International Freight UK Ltd and learning about the latest trends in the industry.

Leverage Online Communities

Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Best Services International Freight UK Ltd!

Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio

Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.

Apply Directly Through Our Website

Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Best Services International Freight UK Ltd keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager

Freight Forwarding Knowledge
Business Development
Relationship Building
Air Freight Knowledge
Ocean Freight Knowledge
Customer Service Understanding
Commercial Judgement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.

Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Best Services International Freight UK Ltd:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Best Services International Freight UK Ltd. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.

How to prepare for a job interview at Best Services International Freight UK Ltd

Know Your Logistics Tools

Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Best Services International Freight UK Ltd.

Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.

Show Your Team Spirit

Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Best Services International Freight UK Ltd that you're a team player!

Understand the Big Picture

Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Best Services International Freight UK Ltd. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!