Third Party Logistics (3PL) Sales Manager - Rail

Job Title: Third Party Logistics (3PL) Sales Manager - Rail

Location: Hybrid – Chicago, IL

Position Overview

The Company is seeking a driven, entrepreneurial Third Party Logistics (3PL) Sales Manager - Rail to support the company's growth through new business development within the rail transportation and logistics industry.

This is an individual-contributor role initially focused 100% on hunting and securing new shipper accounts. The successful candidate will identify prospective customers, develop relationships with key decision makers, and generate new revenue opportunities by introducing rail transportation and logistics solutions to the market.

The ideal candidate brings an established understanding of the rail industry, a strong sales and business development background, and the ability to independently build a pipeline and convert prospects into profitable customer relationships. As the company continues to grow, this position may offer the opportunity to take on additional leadership responsibilities, including sales team management.

Key Responsibilities

• New Business Development: Identify, prospect, and secure new shipper accounts requiring rail transportation and logistics services.
• Prospecting and Pipeline Development: Build and maintain a strong pipeline through cold calling, networking, referrals, industry events, and targeted outreach to prospective customers.
• Customer Acquisition: Establish relationships with shipping managers, supply chain leaders, logistics professionals, and other key decisionmakers to develop new business opportunities.
• Rail Logistics Solutions: Identify customer transportation needs and present appropriate rail-based logistics solutions that align with shipping requirements, service expectations, and cost objectives.
• Revenue and Margin Growth: Generate profitable new business by developing competitive proposals, negotiating commercial terms, and securing customer commitments.
• Market Development: Identify target industries, prospective shippers, and emerging opportunities to expand the company's presence in the rail transportation market.
• Sales Strategy: Develop and execute a proactive sales strategy focused on new account acquisition, revenue generation, and sustainable business growth.
• Internal Collaboration: Coordinate with internal stakeholders to support the transition of newly acquired customers into service and ensure alignment between customer expectations and operational capabilities.
• CRM and Reporting: Maintain accurate prospect records, sales pipeline information, activity reporting, and revenue forecasts.
• Future Leadership: As the business expands, demonstrate the ability and interest to potentially assume additional responsibilities, including mentoring sales professionals or leading a sales team.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in transportation, logistics, freight sales, or rail-related business development.
• Strong preference for candidates with direct rail transportation industry experience and an understanding of rail shipping, rail logistics, or rail-served customers.
• Proven success in prospecting, developing new customer relationships, and securing new business.
• Ability to independently build a sales pipeline and convert prospective customers into profitable accounts.
• Strong understanding of consultative selling, commercial negotiations, pricing, and margin management.
• Established relationships within the rail, shipping, industrial, manufacturing, agricultural, chemical, energy, or other rail-served industries are advantageous.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and comfortable working independently in a growth-focused environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams while maintaining a strong focus on business development.
• Spanish-speaking ability is a plus.
• Interest in taking on future leadership responsibilities as the company grows is desirable.

Opportunity for Growth

This is an opportunity for a sales professional who enjoys building business from the ground up and wants to make a direct impact on company growth. The initial focus will be entirely on new customer acquisition, with the opportunity to help expand the company's market presence and potentially progress into a sales leadership role as the business grows.

The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, commercially minded, and motivated by the opportunity to develop new customer relationships, generate profitable revenue, and contribute to the long-term success of The Company .

Interested candidates should have a hunter mentality, a strong understanding of rail transportation, and a demonstrated ability to develop new business.