Overview

My Client is looking for an Air and Ocean Freight and Imports Manager. They will be responsible for overseeing the operational and commercial performance of the Imports Department across both air and ocean cargo.

The role focuses on strengthening the organization’s market position, driving financial growth, and identifying strategic opportunities within the air and ocean freight sectors.

Key objectives include:

• Overseeing operational and commercial activities of imports (air and ocean cargo)
• Improving the organization’s market position and supporting financial growth
• Identifying and pursuing key opportunities within the air and ocean freight industry

KEY RESULT AREAS

Operational and Commercial Responsibilities

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Group Product offerings
• Initiate and implement strategic planning for the department
• Manage and drive the commercial performance of the department
• Build and maintain strong relationships with current clients to ensure retention
• Ensure the branch achieves monthly capacity and revenue targets
• Work closely with the Branch Manager and Regional Vertical Heads to achieve Group objectives
• Gather, analyze, and share market intelligence
• Introduce new products and services while strengthening existing relationships
• Conduct baseline research on prospective clients, including background research

Business Development

The role requires active business development and client engagement to ensure sustained growth and a strong pipeline of opportunities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identify and prospect potential new clients to generate increased business
• Conduct cold calling within assigned markets or geographic areas
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of opportunities
• Develop and leverage professional networks to engage prospective clients
• Identify decision-makers within client organizations
• Research and establish strong relationships with new clients
• Arrange meetings between client decision-makers and company leaders
• Develop tailored approaches and client pitches
• Collaborate with internal teams to prepare proposals aligned to client needs
• Participate in pricing solutions and service offerings
• Handle objections effectively by clarifying issues and negotiating positive outcomes
• Use persuasive communication techniques to influence decision-making
• Represent the company professionally and reflect the organization’s brand image
• Attend industry functions, association events, and conferences
• Provide feedback on market trends and emerging opportunities
• Present to mid- and senior-level management on business trends
• Identify opportunities to develop new services, products, and distribution channels
• Use market and competitor knowledge to strengthen the company’s unique selling propositions

Management Responsibilities

• Submit monthly progress reports with accurate and timely data
• Forecast sales targets and ensure performance aligns with targets
• Track and record all business activities to support deal closure
• Collaborate with internal divisions to meet prerequisites such as vendor registration or prequalification requirements
• Develop a thorough understanding of company capabilities and resources
• Align departmental activities with the organization’s goals and objectives
• Work closely with staff and subordinates to ensure performance targets are met

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, Business, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent
• Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in sales, marketing, logistics, or related fields
• IATA Certification (required)

Core Skills and Competencies

• Air freight and Ocean freight experience
• Networking and relationship-building
• Persuasion and negotiation skills
• Prospecting and client acquisition
• Sales planning and closing skills
• Strong motivation for achieving sales targets
• Ability to identify customer needs and challenges
• Territory management capability
• Market intelligence and industry knowledge
• Ability to meet sales goals
• Professional conduct and client engagement
• CRM system knowledge
• Operational knowledge of logistics and freight management

• Overseeing operational and commercial activities of imports (air and ocean cargo)
• Improving the organization’s market position and supporting financial growth
• Identifying and pursuing key opportunities within the air and ocean freight industry
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Group Product offerings
• Initiate and implement strategic planning for the department
• Manage and drive the commercial performance of the department
• Build and maintain strong relationships with current clients to ensure retention
• Ensure the branch achieves monthly capacity and revenue targets
• Work closely with the Branch Manager and Regional Vertical Heads to achieve Group objectives
• Gather, analyze, and share market intelligence
• Introduce new products and services while strengthening existing relationships
• Conduct baseline research on prospective clients, including background research
• Identify and prospect potential new clients to generate increased business
• Conduct cold calling within assigned markets or geographic areas
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of opportunities
• Develop and leverage professional networks to engage prospective clients
• Identify decision-makers within client organizations
• Research and establish strong relationships with new clients
• Arrange meetings between client decision-makers and company leaders
• Develop tailored approaches and client pitches
• Collaborate with internal teams to prepare proposals aligned to client needs
• Participate in pricing solutions and service offerings
• Handle objections effectively by clarifying issues and negotiating positive outcomes
• Use persuasive communication techniques to influence decision-making
• Represent the company professionally and reflect the organization’s brand image
• Attend industry functions, association events, and conferences
• Provide feedback on market trends and emerging opportunities
• Present to mid- and senior-level management on business trends
• Identify opportunities to develop new services, products, and distribution channels
• Use market and competitor knowledge to strengthen the company’s unique selling propositions
• Submit monthly progress reports with accurate and timely data
• Forecast sales targets and ensure performance aligns with targets
• Track and record all business activities to support deal closure
• Collaborate with internal divisions to meet prerequisites such as vendor registration or prequalification requirements
• Develop a thorough understanding of company capabilities and resources
• Align departmental activities with the organization’s goals and objectives
• Work closely with staff and subordinates to ensure performance targets are met

• Air freight and Ocean freight experience
• Networking and relationship-building
• Persuasion and negotiation skills
• Prospecting and client acquisition
• Sales planning and closing skills
• Strong motivation for achieving sales targets
• Ability to identify customer needs and challenges
• Territory management capability
• Market intelligence and industry knowledge
• Ability to meet sales goals
• Professional conduct and client engagement
• CRM system knowledge
• Operational knowledge of logistics and freight management

• Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, Business, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent
• Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in sales, marketing, logistics, or related fields
• IATA Certification (required)