Job Description
South of England - Freight Forwarding BDMDriving Growth and Partnerships across the UK’s Strategic Corridors
To lead commercial growth in global freight forwarding (Air, Ocean, Multimodal) and fulfilment/logistics solutions across the South of England.
Candidates must combine commercial drive with a deep understanding of international freight and fulfilment operations, working with clients across Pharma & Life Sciences, Aerospace & Defence, Industrials, General Cargo, eCommerce, and Lifestyle sectors.
Key Responsibilities
* Client Acquisition & Growth
o Identify and secure new business within pharma, aerospace, industrial, e-commerce (D2C & B2B), and lifestyle/athleisure brands.
o Build senior-level relationships with SME and mid-market clients, converting pipeline into profitable contracts.
* Solution Design
o Work with operations to design bespoke Air, Ocean, and Fulfilment solutions, including bonded warehousing, value-added services, and cross-border eCommerce.
* Market Intelligence
o Track competitor activity, regulatory developments (Brexit, customs, trade lanes), and digital trends.
* Account Retention & Expansion
o Manage and grow new your new accounts brought on board, support existing accounts through exceptional service delivery.
* Commercial Governance
o Negotiate and secure commercial agreements aligned with company profit targets and compliance standards.
o Ensure adherence to UK/EU regulations, trade compliance, and sector-specific standards (e.g. GDP for pharma, defence security requirements).
* Performance Management
o Report regularly on KPIs: pipeline health, new wins, GP contribution, retention, and account growth.
Skills & Competencies
* Sector Expertise: Strong knowledge of freight forwarding (air & sea), customs, and supply chain solutions. Exposure to pharma, aerospace/defence, industrials, or eCommerce fulfilment is highly desirable.
* Commercial Strength: Proven ability to negotiate and close high-value deals in a competitive logistics market.
* Relationship Building: Trusted networker, able to build long-term partnerships across SME, mid-cap, and multinational clients.
* Analytical Edge: Skilled at interpreting market data and customer trends to inform strategy.
* Self-Starter: Results-driven, resilient, and comfortable operating independently across a wide territory.
Qualifications & Experience
* 5–15 years’ experience in account management or sales within freight forwarding, contract logistics, or fulfilment.
* Track record of delivering growth with SME and mid-market customers.
* Willingness to travel extensively across South England (Reporting to the South East Office HQ several times a month). Otherwise this role is remote.
Regional Context
The South of England provides a strong platform for logistics growth:
* Proximity to major ports (London Gateway, Southampton, Felixstowe) and air gateways (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted).
* Central access to innovation clusters in Oxford–Cambridge, the Thames Valley, and London.
* Strong demand from eCommerce fulfilment, pharma, aerospace, industrial, and lifestyle sectors.
Ideal Candidate
You are a commercially sharp, sector-savvy logistics professional with a proven track record in winning and growing business in freight forwarding and/or fulfilment. You thrive on competition, deliver solutions that meet complex client needs, and are motivated by growth and long-term partnerships.