Business Development Manager
Location: Dover
Salary: c.£52,000
Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week
Overview
We are seeking a proactive, customer-focused Business Development Manager to join our client's growing team. The role will support the development of general cargo services and play a key part in driving new business opportunities.
Benefits
- 5 weeks annual leave + bank holidays
- Birthday leave
- Free Parking
- Generous contributory pension scheme
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme
- Private Health Care
- Life assurance
- Employee assistance programme
- 3rd party discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Benefits and reward platform
- Employee volunteering scheme
Key Responsibilities
- Manage daily interactions with general cargo customers, ensuring high levels of service and timely responses
- Support customer onboarding and align operational requirements across internal teams
- Maintain regular engagement to identify service improvements and upsell opportunities
- Produce and maintain account management plans
- Identify and qualify new commercial leads through networking and market insights
- Support the preparation of proposals, tenders and customer presentations
- Gather operational and financial data to support business cases and forecasting
- Contribute to sales pipeline updates and support negotiations
- Work closely with other teams to ensure customer expectations are met
- Monitor service performance, escalating any issues or improvement needs
- Support rate and tariff updates through materials preparation and customer communication
- Maintain accurate KPI tracking for general cargo accounts within the CRM
- Attend industry and trade events, ensuring leads are captured and followed up
- Gather and share market intelligence on competitors, cargo flows and opportunities
- Maintain accurate CRM records and prepare routine reports on market activity and customer performance
- Assist in developing internal and external presentations and documents
- Ensure compliance with relevant quality, safety, security and sustainability standards
- Support commercial project delivery by coordinating tasks and monitoring progress
- Contribute to discussions on improving service quality and operational efficiency
- Support strategic initiatives led by the Head of Business Development
Success Metrics
- Growth in general cargo revenue year-on-year
- Strong customer retention and positive service feedback
- Accurate, timely CRM updates and high-quality customer materials
- Effective support across proposals, projects, events, and internal activities
- Consistent delivery of key reports, insights, and commercial outputs
Experience and Skills Required
- Experience in account management or business development
- Strong customer relationship management skills across multiple accounts
- Understanding of supply chain operations and basic financial principles
- Competent user of Microsoft Office
- Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders
- Passion for growth, innovation and developing new supply chain solutions
- Confident public speaker and effective external representative
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data
- Skilled in negotiation and constructive conflict management
- Collaborates effectively with Marketing and cross‑functional teams
- Inclusive, adaptable and enthusiastic in a fast‑paced setting
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent planning, organisation, and attention to detail
- Role model for integrity, respect and positive team culture
- A full UK driving licence
Desirable
- Background in logistics, supply chain or ports
- Project management experience
- Knowledge of quality, security or food safety standards
- Understanding of regulatory frameworks
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in line with the Equality Act 2010. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
The role is subject to a medical assessment including a Drug and Alcohol test, and a background security check to obtain a dock pass.
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