Business Development Manager; North

ABOUT US

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050. Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilising the Group's shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseille where its head office is located.

As our Business Development Manager, your primary accountability will be the development and overall management of sales activities for all CMA CGM Short Sea Lines (SSL), with geographical coverage across the North East of England and the whole of Scotland. In support of CMA CGM’s UK Commercial and overall growth strategies, you will proactively identify and establish relationships with prospective new customers, whilst also managing and developing relationships with existing customers, understanding their requirements and presenting solutions from our extensive portfolio of services.

Through a proactive and consultative approach you will collaborate with colleagues across the business to devise and execute strategies for acquiring new customers and expanding the overall market presence.

• Establish strong working relationships with new and existing customers, ensuring regular and proactive contact (including regular visits), to support the development of increased volumes and new business opportunities.
• Contribute to establishing and executing commercial action plans in accordance with overall Commercial, SSL and business strategies.
• Proactively identify and pursue new business leads, collaborating with internal stakeholders as required to ensure all potential opportunities are pursued.
• Establish effective working relationships with key internal stakeholders, e.g.
  • Sales Support, to ensure all customer requests for new quotes or pricing information are processed in a timely manner.
  • Customer Care, to relay AOB requests from customers.
  • Trade Managers, to ensure market rates and conditions are regularly updated.
• Ensure information within internal systems and CRM is entered and maintained accurately, e.g. pricing and commercial data, and that all relevant stakeholders are updated with key developments.
• Provide regular commentary on business relating to assigned customer accounts, highlighting opportunities and any other relevant business.
• Analyse statistical data, identifying opportunities to develop new business and provide relevant reporting for Trade/Area, internal/external sales and management teams as required.
• Support ongoing review of processes and procedures, contributing to process improvement initiatives as required.
• This is a national role with an expectation to travel across the UK.

• Valid UK driver’s licence.
• Demonstrable experience in an external sales / account management environment (shipping sector experience is a big advantage).
• Strong business development skills, with the confidence and tenacity to identify and pursue new leads.
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to build rapport and provide a proactive and solutions‑focused service.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to spot trends and proactively identify new business opportunities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to demonstrate experience of building effective relationships at all levels, both internally and externally.
• A resilient approach, able to manage multiple priorities…