Business Development Manager

Overview

As a commercially driven Business Development Manager, you will spearhead new business growth for a UK-wide freight forwarding operation. You’ll cultivate relationships with key decision-makers, promote air, ocean and road freight solutions, and shape revenue through a full sales cycle from prospecting to securing accounts. This home-based role leverages strong networking and collaboration with pricing and operations teams to deliver measurable growth. You’ll travel monthly to head office, contributing to a dynamic, performance-focused logistics team.

Pay / Benefits

• Salary up to 65,000
• Car allowance
• Commission
• Home-based with UK-wide travel
• Monthly travel to head office
• Performance-based rewards

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop UK-wide new business opportunities
• Generate leads through networking, referrals, and targeted activity
• Build and maintain relationships with new and existing customers
• Promote freight forwarding solutions across air, ocean, and road
• Manage full sales cycle from prospecting to new accounts
• Prepare quotations and commercial proposals with internal ops and pricing
• Maintain a strong sales pipeline with forecasting and reporting
• Grow existing accounts and maximise revenue
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities
• Coordinate with internal teams for smooth transition to operations
• Achieve sales targets, revenue objectives and gross margins
• Attend monthly meetings in Manchester and travel nationally for customer visits

Key requirements

• Proven BD or sales experience within a UK-based freight forwarder
• Track record of generating new business and securing new accounts
• Understanding of freight forwarding services across multiple modes
• Strong commercial awareness including pricing and negotiating rates
• Ability to build relationships with senior decision-makers
• Confident communication, presentation and negotiation skills
• Self-motivated, organised, and capable of working independently in a home-based role
• Ability to manage a sales pipeline and meet targets
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally

• Strong communication and relationship-building
• Negotiation and presentation skills
• Independent and self-motivated work style
• Freight forwarding knowledge (air/ocean/road)
• Pricing and margin management
• Sales pipeline management and forecasting

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