Strategic BDM - Ocean
An international and market-leading logistics organization is seeking a Strategic Business Development Executive to drive the growth of its Ocean Freight and Freight Forwarding business across key global accounts.
This is a highly commercial role focused on winning strategic business, developing enterprise-level customer relationships, and delivering tailored logistics solutions for complex international supply chains. The successful candidate will combine deep ocean freight expertise with a consultative sales approach, engaging with senior stakeholders and C-level decision makers to drive long-term growth.
The position offers the opportunity to work with globally recognized customers, influence commercial strategy, and play a key role in expanding the organization's market presence within the freight forwarding industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute strategic sales plans to grow the Ocean Freight and Freight Forwarding business.
- Identify, qualify, and win new business opportunities with large multinational customers.
- Build and maintain relationships with senior decision makers, including C-suite stakeholders.
- Prospect target customers through networking, industry connections, and internal referrals.
- Design and present tailored logistics solutions that address customer supply chain challenges.
- Lead customer proposal, pricing, and presentation processes from opportunity identification through to contract award.
- Collaborate closely with operational, product, pricing, and solution design teams to create competitive customer offerings.
- Drive revenue growth and margin performance across assigned accounts.
- Monitor market trends, customer developments, and competitor activity to identify new opportunities.
- Manage critical customer relationships, drive customer satisfaction, and proactively address potential risks.
- Provide regular updates on sales performance, account development, and business opportunities.
Profile
- Minimum of 8+ years' experience within Ocean Freight and Freight Forwarding sales.
- Proven track record of winning and developing large strategic customer accounts.
- Strong experience selling logistics solutions across international and global markets.
- Demonstrated success engaging and negotiating with senior stakeholders and C-level executives.
- Strong understanding of Ocean Freight operations, import processes, and international supply chains.
- Experience developing commercial strategies and executing complex sales cycles.
- Ability to analyse market opportunities, customer supply chains, and competitive landscapes.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
- Experience working within a global freight forwarding or logistics environment preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Strategic business development and account management expertise.
- Strong hunter mentality with a proven ability to generate new business opportunities.
- Advanced consultative selling and solution-selling capabilities.
- Excellent commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive collaboration.
- Strong analytical and market assessment skills.
- Results-driven with a focus on revenue growth and profitability.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Agile, proactive, and customer-focused mindset.
Languages
- Dutch: Professional proficiency
- English: Professional proficiency
- Additional European languages are considered an advantage
Interested?
If you have a successful background in Ocean Freight, Freight Forwarding, or Global Logistics Sales and are looking for an opportunity to manage strategic customer relationships while driving significant business growth, we'd be pleased to discuss this opportunity with you.
For further information, please contact Costantino Sartori.
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