Business Development Manager

Location: Bradford/ Manchester Reports to: Northern Area Manager Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday Contract: Full time, permanent Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

About the role

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to grow and protect Mapcargo's client base across sea freight and air freight, imports and exports.

This is a role for someone who enjoys the full commercial cycle. You will open new accounts, deepen the ones we already have, and work closely with our operations and sales support teams to make sure every new piece of business is implemented properly. If you like being in front of customers, spotting opportunities others miss and being measured on real results, this will suit you.

What you will be doing

Winning new business

Generate new opportunities across sea and air freight, imports and exports, through proactive prospecting, referrals, network development and strategic account penetration
Research customer organisations, market sectors and industry trends to identify commercial opportunities
Monitor market trends, competitor activity and industry developments to support wider growth plans
Promote the full range of Mapcargo services and identify new ways to increase customer spend

Growing and retaining accounts

Build and execute account growth plans that maximise revenue within existing customer portfolios
Hold regular review calls and strategic business discussions to strengthen relationships and improve retention
Convert opportunities inside existing accounts through cross-selling, upselling and service expansion
Build senior level relationships with key stakeholders and decision makers
Visit customers regularly to review performance, understand future requirements and increase share of wallet
Lead and contribute to Quarterly Business Reviews, presenting KPI performance, market intelligence and future growth opportunities

Commercial management

Manage the commercial performance of Express and Brokerage accounts, including pricing reviews, profitability analysis, rate negotiation and margin improvement
Resolve customer concerns and service issues quickly, turning them into opportunities to build trust
Identify and implement process improvements that lift customer experience, operational efficiency and commercial performance

Pipeline and reporting

Use our CRM to manage customer engagement plans, sales activity, opportunities and pipeline development
Keep accurate records of customer interactions, commercial opportunities, agreed actions and business development activity
Work closely with fellow Business Development Managers, Sales Support and operational teams to deliver joined up customer solutions and hit revenue targets
Support the wider commercial strategy through lead generation, referrals and customer introductions

What we are looking for

Excellent communication and listening skills
A polite, confident and friendly manner
Confidence with computers, including Excel, CRM systems and reporting tools such as ASM
A good working knowledge of freight forwarding services, or the appetite to learn ours quickly
Genuine enjoyment of working with customers and building long term relationships
The ability to thrive in a target driven team environment

Who you will work with

Clients: directors, logistics managers, finance teams, buyers and distribution centre contacts Internally: operations managers and directors, operations staff, sales and sales support Externally: shipping lines and overseas agents

How you will be measured

Delivery against agreed targets
Gross profit growth and client retention
Quality of reporting on service levels, business trends and customer queries

What we offer

Competitive salary, agreed on appointment
Performance related incentives
Clear career development discussed openly from the start
The backing of an established international freight forwarder with a genuinely collaborative team