Country Manager Belgium
Overview
Our client is an international freight forwarder with a small but established operation in Belgium. They are looking to appoint a Branch Manager / Country Manager who will take full ownership of the Belgian entity, covering operations, commercial performance, and P&L.
This is a hands-on leadership role: someone who can run the business day-to-day, lead and develop a small team, and personally drive sales and customer relationships.
Key Responsibilities
General Management & P&L Ownership
- Full P&L responsibility for the Belgian operation, including budget planning, forecasting, and cost control
- Set and execute the local business strategy in line with group objectives
- Monitor KPIs related to profitability, service levels, productivity, and growth
- Act as the primary point of contact between Belgium and head office
Operations Leadership
- Oversee end-to-end freight forwarding operations (air, ocean, road, and customs if applicable)
- Ensure high service quality, operational efficiency, and compliance with local regulations
- Drive continuous improvement in processes, cost efficiency, and service delivery
- Support the team operationally when needed - this is not a "hands-off" role
People Management
- Lead, coach, and develop a small operational and commercial team
- Create a performance-driven but pragmatic working environment
- Handle hiring decisions, performance management, and day-to-day people matters
- Act as a role model in terms of professionalism, ownership, and client focus
Sales & Business Development
- Take an active role in sales, including:
- Winning new business
- Managing and growing key accounts
- Supporting tenders and larger opportunities
- Build and maintain a local customer portfolio
- Identify new market opportunities and trade lanes
- Work closely with operations to ensure commercial promises match operational execution
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Strong background in freight forwarding, with experience across air and/or ocean freight
- Proven experience in a Branch Manager, Country Manager, Operations Manager, or Commercial Manager role
- Track record of P&L responsibility at branch or country level
- Comfortable operating in smaller setups where leadership, sales, and operations are closely linked
- Commercially minded, with the credibility to sell and manage senior client relationships
- Hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset - someone who takes ownership rather than escalates
- Strong leadership skills with a pragmatic, people-oriented approach
- Fluent in English, Dutch and French are a plus
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