Australia Route Development Manager – Ocean & Air Freight

Australia Route Development Manager – Ocean & Air Freight – Chicago (Flexible Location)

Keywords: Freight forwarding, ocean freight, air freight, Australia trade lane, route development, Chicago

About the Opportunity

We’re exclusively partnered with a well-established international freight forwarder seeking a dedicated Australia Route Development Manager to spearhead growth across the Transpacific and Australia trade lanes. This is a strategic commercial role focused on expanding carrier relationships, developing customer pipelines, and strengthening the company’s presence within a high-demand region.

The position is ideally based in Chicago, though other U.S. locations will be considered for the right candidate.

Role Overview

As Route Development Manager, you will be responsible for driving both new and existing business opportunities tied to the Australia trade lane, working closely with sales teams, carriers, and overseas partners. This role requires a mix of commercial development, product strategy, and operational oversight—ensuring the company maximizes growth potential while maintaining competitive service offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement trade lane strategy for Australia, focusing on both ocean and air freight.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with carriers, overseas agents, and strategic partners.

• Support U.S. sales teams with customer development, pricing strategies, and service solutions.

• Identify and pursue new commercial opportunities tied to the Australia lane.

• Monitor trade lane performance and ensure alignment with company goals.

• Provide market intelligence and competitive insights to leadership and sales teams.

Candidate Requirements

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in freight forwarding, with a strong focus on trade lane or route development.

• Proven expertise in Australia trade lanes across both ocean and/or air freight.

• Strong commercial acumen with ability to drive sales support and product growth.

• Established relationships with carriers and agents preferred.

• Ability to collaborate with internal and overseas teams to deliver end-to-end solutions.

• Must be U.S.-based, with preference for candidates in the Chicago area.

What You Can Expect

• A high-impact role with visibility to senior leadership.

• Opportunity to shape the company’s Australia trade lane strategy.

• Entrepreneurial environment with the ability to make quick, meaningful decisions.

• Competitive compensation structure with performance-based incentives.

• Flexibility in location for the right candidate.