Business Development Manager - Air and Sea Freight
Full Time / Permanent / 08.30 – 17.30 Mon-Fri
Salary – basic up to £45k (depending on experience), plus 20% commission on GP over KPIs uncapped.
Electric Car
Company Pension scheme
Company Benefits (Health Cash Plan, Access to Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 support across a wide range of areas, team building events and much more!)
Member of Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) - Annual Bonus (Tax-Free) for Employees
Training & Development Opportunities
Hybrid role - office/home/field (Office based in Burntwood, WS7)
Join the dynamic team at Espace, the UK's first ever 100% employee-owned freight forwarder, as our Air & Sea Freight Specialist Business Development Manager and play a leading role in shaping the future of our business. As we set our sights on growing our Air and Sea Freight department, we are in search of an individual with solid experience of Sea & Air freight markets. The perfect candidate will boast a notable track record of hunting, nurturing and growing sea and air freight. Knowledge of key trade lanes is essential, coupled with extensive business acumen. Experience and knowledge of the Indian market in particular is preferred but not essential. If you have the dedication, expertise, and the passion to elevate our offering, Espace is eager to welcome your expertise.
We are offering a great opportunity to grow within a modern, forward thinking business. Hence we would like an upbeat, dynamic, motivated, tenacious character looking for a career in freight.
A little bit about the company ... we are a non-asset owning freight forwarder with agency representation worldwide. Our people are our most valuable asset and we win business with our ‘can -do’ approach, exceptional levels of customer service and trusted agency network.
Main Purpose
To identify and pursue new business enquiries to grow our Air and Sea freight department and build / grow new accounts in line with our overall business objectives. Consistently presenting Espace values and looking at every new enquiry as an opportunity.
You will have responsibility for the entire sales process, from intelligence gathering and cold prospecting to dealing with relevant incoming enquiries, negotiating, securing and account managing for the initial 12 months of a new client’s Espace experience.
Key Responsibilities
1. To generate new Sea and Air freight sales, this includes FCL / LCL sea freight export and import, global air freight (both standard and premium - air charter, OBC) in line with the current business plan. Focus and drive to achieve targets.
2. To identify sales opportunities. Profiling all new business to understand intricately how we can support with freight / customs.
3. Source your own business leads and act on those provided by Sales and Operations Colleagues as well as using other tools given.
4. Respond to incoming enquiries from our website, via LI, telephone and email.
5. Effectively present key features of our services to secure new business. Describe the product / service benefits and any special offers or promotions.
6. Gather and document information about the customer using Active Campaign (CRM). Enter your notes into the database, schedule dates for follow up, visits etc. Ensure all client details are fully completed including marketing information.
7. Take orders and arrange for relevant Freight Account Manager/Operator to make contact. Take decisions as appropriate.
8. Work closely with your fellow sales team members to distribute relevant leads.
9. Work flexibly, both in the office / at home and out in the field.
10. Focus on results and willingly tackle problems or conflicts which threaten their achievement.
11. Bring a sense of urgency to situations, demonstrate an active approach, be willing to get involved in order to increase the pace and achieve goals and objectives.
Communications
* Work closely with all operational departments to ensure client expectations are met at all times.
* Work closely with other sales staff to achieve team target.
Experience required
* Demonstrable track record of selling Air and Sea freight in a forwarding environment - Ideally min of 5 years.
* Experience of sales and market development.
* Close liaison and working with team colleagues to achieve end goals.
* Generating rates for regular / spot quotes, follow-up calls.
* Customer service.
* Client dispute resolution.
* Negotiation.
Personal Attributes
* Dynamic, ambitious and motivated to work towards a target.
* Strong organisational skills.
* Strong IT and admin skills.
* Good overall knowledge of the Global freight industry.
* Presentable.
* Good with people, relatable, humorous, charismatic, professional, ability to develop relationships quickly.
* Excellent Communication skills.
* Good drive and energy – self-motivated.
Competencies
* Drive for Sales
* Flexibility & Adaptability
* Initiative & Taking Ownership
* Building Relationships
* Emotional Resilience
* Technical Expertise & Professionalism
* Impact & Influence
* Collaborative Team Working
* Customer Service
* Organisational Awareness
Working for an Employee Owned business requires its co-owners to be team players. Strong communication and organisational skills will be needed as will an ability to prioritise and manage high workloads at times. Attention to detail is a must as is the requirement to deliver excellent customer service.
If you feel you have what it takes to fulfil this role, please apply through this advert with your CV and a covering letter stating why you think we should invite you for interview. Please also state your current salary or salary requirements to our HR Consultant applying through this platform.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Monday 10th February 2025
(APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AS THEY COME IN)
#J-18808-Ljbffr