At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth by developing new sales opportunities and managing customer relationships.
- Company: Dynamic freight forwarding company in Southampton with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, generous holiday allowance, and pension plan.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career advancement and personal growth.
- Why this job: Join a proactive team and make a real impact in the logistics industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in freight forwarding or logistics, strong communication, and sales skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Southampton
Do you have experience in freight forwarding sales, logistics solutions, or eCommerce fulfilment? Are you commercially driven, highly organised and motivated by identifying new business opportunities, developing customer relationships and converting tailored logistics solutions into long-term commercial partnerships? We are looking for a proactive and customer‑focused Business Development Manager to join our Freight Forwarding and eCommerce Logistics team. This role will play a key part in driving business growth across freight forwarding, customs, fulfilment, and warehousing services by developing new sales opportunities, managing customer relationships, and supporting long‑term commercial success.
Working closely with Operations, Client Services, and the wider commercial team, you will help deliver tailored logistics solutions across air, sea, road freight, customs brokerage, and fulfilment services.
Your key responsibilities:
- Source and develop new business opportunities through proactive sales activity and collaboration with Operations teams.
- Research, identify and qualify prospective customers within target markets.
- Build and manage a structured sales pipeline using CRM systems.
- Arrange meetings and calls with prospective customers to understand their logistics requirements and provide tailored solutions.
- Develop tailored proposals and presentations that address customer needs, service requirements and commercial objectives.
- Support the preparation and presentation of competitive multimodal pricing solutions.
- Monitor market trends, customer requirements and competitor activity to help identify new business opportunities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective and existing customers.
- Support customer retention and identify opportunities to grow existing accounts.
- Act as a key point of contact for customer enquiries and quotations across Air, Ocean, EU Road, Brokerage, Fulfilment and Warehousing services.
- Contribute to commercial growth strategies focused on profitability and customer service.
- Support marketing and networking activity including LinkedIn engagement and trade events.
- Prepare sales reports and pipeline updates for the Commercial Director.
- Build relationships with third‑party suppliers and service providers to support competitive solutions.
- Support achievement of agreed sales targets and business objectives.
The ideal candidate:
- Experience in freight forwarding, logistics, supply chain, or internal sales roles with the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities.
- Strong understanding of multimodal freight services including air, sea, and road freight.
- A proactive approach to prospecting, negotiation and consultative selling.
- The ability to interpret customer, market and competitor information to identify trends and opportunities.
- Experience managing sales pipelines, quotations, and CRM systems.
- Confident communication skills with the ability to build credibility and maintain effective relationships with customers and colleagues.
- Commercial awareness with a clear focus on customer service, revenue growth and profitability.
- Ability to work collaboratively across sales, operations and customer service teams.
- A well‑organised and structured approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow opportunities through to completion.
- Experience within eCommerce, FBA fulfilment, customs, or warehousing environments would be beneficial.
Benefits:
- In addition to the salary advertised, this role offers the opportunity to increase overall earnings through a bonus scheme linked to agreed sales targets and business growth.
- 25 holiday days per year plus 8 statutory days, increasing to 26 days after two years’ service and 27 days after four years’ service.
- Membership of the Company Group Life Assurance Scheme which is currently three times annual salary.
- The Company operates a Group Personal Pension Plan which complies with current Workplace Pension legislation.
- Enrolment into the Health Shield Cash Plan after successful completion of probation period.
- Free on‑site car parking.
- Length of service awards.
- Enhanced maternity / paternity pay with qualifying service.
Business Development Manager – Freight Forwarder – Southampton employer: Recruit4Mum
Join a dynamic and forward-thinking team as a Business Development Manager in Southampton, where your expertise in freight forwarding and logistics will be valued and rewarded. With a strong focus on employee growth, our company offers competitive salaries, a bonus scheme tied to performance, generous holiday allowances, and a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Experience the unique advantage of working in a vibrant port city, with opportunities to build lasting relationships and drive meaningful business success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager – Freight Forwarder – Southampton
✨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 Recruit4Mum 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 Recruit4Mum!
✨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 Recruit4Mum 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 Business Development Manager – Freight Forwarder – Southampton
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 Recruit4Mum:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Recruit4Mum. 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 Recruit4Mum
✨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 Recruit4Mum.
✨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 Recruit4Mum 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 Recruit4Mum. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
