Business Development Manager

Job title: Freight Business Development Manager

Salary: €100,000

Location: Antwerp

Freight Business Development Manager Overview

My client is looking for an experienced and commercially driven Business Development Manager to join an established international logistics business based in Antwerp.

The role will be responsible for developing new business and expanding the company's customer base across Belgium, with a particular focus on freight forwarding, multimodal transport and integrated supply chain solutions.

The Antwerp operation provides customers with end-to-end logistics solutions, covering FCL and LCL transport, general and heavy cargo, customs clearance, warehousing and supply chain coordination. The team also has specialist expertise in the transportation and handling of dry goods, including steel products, agricultural products, coal, building materials and fertilisers.

A key part of the proposition is the ability to combine inland waterway, rail and road transport, using Antwerp and the wider ARA port region as a gateway into Europe. The Business Development Manager will therefore be expected to understand customer supply chains and develop commercially attractive multimodal solutions rather than simply selling individual transport services.

Freight Business Development Manager Responsibilities

• Identify, prospect and secure new customers across the Belgian market.
• Develop new business opportunities across freight forwarding and multimodal logistics.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with shippers, manufacturers, importers, exporters and other relevant decision-makers.
• Understand customers' supply chains and identify opportunities to improve cost, efficiency and service.
• Develop tailored solutions incorporating road, rail, inland waterway and ocean freight.
• Generate opportunities around FCL/LCL, general cargo and heavy cargo.
• Develop new business within relevant commodity sectors, including steel, agriculture, coal, building materials and fertilisers.
• Identify opportunities for warehousing, customs and wider supply chain services.
• Manage the complete sales process from initial prospecting through to quotation, negotiation, contract award and implementation.
• Prepare commercial proposals, quotations and tenders in conjunction with the operational and pricing teams.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure customer requirements can be delivered operationally and profitably.
• Develop existing customer accounts and identify opportunities to increase the range of services provided.
• Build a strong and qualified sales pipeline and maintain accurate CRM and forecasting information.
• Monitor market conditions, customer requirements and competitor activity to identify new commercial opportunities.
• Attend customer meetings, industry events and networking opportunities throughout Belgium.
• Achieve agreed new business, revenue and profitability targets.

Freight Business Development Manager Requirements

• Proven experience in business development or commercial sales within freight forwarding, shipping, logistics or international transport.
• Strong understanding of the Belgian freight and logistics market.
• Demonstrable experience winning new customers and generating profitable business.
• Existing relationships within the shipping, freight forwarding, manufacturing, industrial or commodity sectors would be highly advantageous.
• Experience selling multimodal or complex logistics solutions is preferred.
• Good understanding of international freight, port operations and supply chains.
• Knowledge of road, rail and inland waterway transport would be particularly beneficial.
• Experience working with containerised, general, heavy or dry cargo would be advantageous.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills with the ability to engage confidently with senior decision-makers.
• Target-driven with a genuine focus on new business development.
• Fluent in Dutch and English.