Business Development Manager

ABOUT

We are representing a European-founded, independent global freight forwarder with a strong commercial presence across North America and a network spanning 54 countries.

Established in 1974, they built their reputation on ocean freight out of Northern Europe before expanding aggressively into Trans-Pacific trade throughout the 1990s. Today their Los Angeles office sits at the centre of their U.S. operation, handling a high volume of both FCL and LCL ocean freight moving through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, alongside a growing air freight division and in-house customs brokerage capability.

Their U.S. commercial team currently sits at 14 people. They have a specific gap in Los Angeles and the right candidate will inherit a warm market, genuine carrier relationships, and a back office that has been handling Trans-Pacific freight for over 30 years.

Their client base skews heavily toward consumer goods, retail, and manufacturing. Average account size is meaningful and their retention numbers reflect a business that executes consistently.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Hunt and develop new business across Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire, targeting importers and exporters across consumer goods, retail, and manufacturing
• Build and present tailored logistics solutions across FCL, LCL, air freight, and customs brokerage
• Own Trans-Pacific trade lanes as the primary commercial focus, with secondary exposure to Transatlantic and intra-Americas business
• Manage the full sales cycle from cold prospecting through to RFQ, RFP, negotiation, and contract close
• Work directly with pricing and operations to build proposals that are competitive and deliverable
• Maintain a structured pipeline and provide accurate revenue forecasting to senior leadership
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across warehousing, distribution, and value-added services for existing accounts

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Minimum 5 years of international freight forwarding sales experience with a proven track record of winning new business independently
• Hands-on knowledge of Trans-Pacific FCL and LCL ocean freight, including carrier relationships, routing, and market pricing dynamics
• Demonstrated experience managing complex RFQ and RFP processes from first contact through to contract award
• Comfortable building a pipeline from scratch through direct prospecting, cold outreach, referrals, and industry networking
• Solid understanding of U.S. customs brokerage, import compliance, and value-added logistics services as part of a broader commercial conversation
• Based in the Los Angeles area with the ability to visit clients regularly across LA, Orange County, and the Inland Empire
• Proficient with CRM tools for pipeline tracking, activity reporting, and forecasting

WHAT'S ON OFFER

• $100,000 – $135,000 base salary depending on experience
• Uncapped commission with accelerators above target
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Flexible working arrangements
• Direct access to senior decision-makers and a pricing team that turns proposals around quickly