- Compensation: Competitive Salary and Benefits Package (to be discussed during first contact).
- Benefits: private healthcare, annual incentive bonus scheme, DCAS car allowance.
- Travel: Regular international travel, with the opportunity to further strengthen a market-leading presence within Africa export air & sea freight, and expand growth across wider global trade lanes
- A highly visible and influential leadership role with clear long-term career progression opportunities.
- Our Client: a privately owned, well-established and highly respected international shipping & logistics business.
- Rare position developing existing strategic customer relationships with a direct impact on business & revenue growth.
Role Overview:
The successful candidate will join the management team of a thriving international freight forwarding operation, working closely with the Branch Director and Branch Manager to drive commercial performance & profitable growth across air & sea freight and associated logistics services. With a strong reputation in the African trade lane, the branch is well placed to build on this specialist position alongside identifying new opportunities across customers, sectors and trade lanes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the Branch Director and Branch Manager to develop and implement the branch commercial strategy to drive performance and further strengthen market position.
- Identify emerging market opportunities, customer needs and trade lane developments to support future growth.
- Contribute commercial insight, market intelligence and strategic recommendations to support business growth.
- Work collaboratively with operational teams to ensure pricing, service delivery and growth objectives are aligned.
- Strengthen, expand, and support the evolution of the branch's specialist Africa export air & sea freight offering.
- Customer Development & Business Growth:
- Build, maintain and develop strong relationships with established key customers, becoming the primary commercial contact for strategic accounts.
- Identify opportunities to increase revenue through cross-selling and upselling across air & sea freight, alongside wider logistics solutions.
- Generate new business opportunities and manage the entire sales cycle from prospecting through to implementation.
- Develop customer-specific solutions that deliver long-term value and sustainable profitability.
- Represent the business at customer meetings, industry events and partner engagements.
- Commercials & Pricing:
- Take ownership of customer pricing structures and ensure commercial agreements support long-term profitability.
- Monitor account performance, identifying opportunities for growth whilst protecting margins.
- Prepare competitive and commercially robust pricing proposals.
- Support and contribute to tender submissions and commercial negotiations.
- Negotiate agreements that deliver value for both customers and the business.
Experience & Qualifications:
- Substantial experience within freight forwarding, international logistics or a comparable commercial supply chain environment is essential.
- Excellent understanding of air & sea freight forwarding and freight operations, services and commercial practices.
- Proven track record of winning new business whilst retaining, developing and growing existing customer accounts.
- Experience developing pricing strategies, commercial models and customer-specific solutions.
- Demonstrable success negotiating commercial agreements and delivering profitable growth.
- Strong IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications and freight management systems.
- Knowledge of African trade lanes is preferred.
Skills & Attributes:
- Energetic, confident, and resilient character.
- Highly commercially astute, results driven & customer-focused.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate plans into practical commercial outcomes.
- Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence key stakeholders and build long-lasting commercial relationships.
- Collaborative leadership style with an analytical approach with the ability to interpret commercial data and make informed decisions.
- Proactive, self-starting and comfortable operating in a fast-paced commercial environment.
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Freight Forwarding Commercial Manager employer: Marmion
Join a leading FMCG manufacturer in Harrogate that prioritises employee development and offers a supportive work culture. With excellent training opportunities, a competitive salary, and a unique Panama shift pattern allowing for alternate weekends off, this company is dedicated to fostering long-term career growth while ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Experience the benefits of working in a highly automated environment where your skills will be valued and your contributions will drive continuous improvement.
