Sales Director Europe

Overview  We are partnering with a leading global logistics organisation that is expanding its ocean freight commercial leadership team across Europe. We are currently searching for a Sales Manager - Ocean Freight to lead a high-performing regional sales team and accelerate growth within the ocean and freight forwarding segment. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior commercial leader with deep expertise in ocean freight, strong customer engagement capabilities, and a proven track record in building and coaching successful sales teams.
About the Role  As the Sales Manager for Ocean Freight, you will be responsible for developing and executing the organisation s commercial strategy for ocean solutions across the region. You will lead a team focused on winning, developing, and retaining strategic accounts, while working cross-functionally to deliver tailored freight forwarding solutions. The role requires a strategic thinker with strong operational and commercial understanding of ocean freight, combined with the ability to engage C-Suite stakeholders and drive the deployment of complex, global logistics solutions.

Key Responsibilities   Leadership & Team Development:
Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing sales team focused on ocean freight growth; recruit, onboard, and develop sales professionals with strong industry knowledge; promote a growth mindset, continuous learning, and agile working styles; leverage digital and AI-driven tools to enhance team performance and decision-making.
Commercial Strategy & Execution:
Lead strategic sales initiatives for ocean and freight forwarding products across the region; develop and execute global sales strategies to achieve revenue, margin, and volume targets; identify market trends in ocean logistics to inform new business opportunities; build comprehensive business plans to secure new ocean freight accounts.
Customer Engagement & Business Development:
Prospect proactively through internal networks, market intelligence, and industry relationships; engage senior-level customer stakeholders to assess needs, ensure satisfaction, and manage at-risk accounts; support strategic customers with tailored solutions, collaborating with internal operations, pricing, and product teams; oversee the full proposal, pricing, and presentation process, ensuring a compelling value proposition for customers.
Sales Process & Governance:
Ensure accurate reporting across pipeline stages and business development activities; utilise established tools, processes, and systems to maintain up-to-date account data; continuously refine sales processes to optimise conversion and efficiency.
Candidate Profile  Experience & Qualifications   Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
8-10 years of commercial experience in ocean freight and freight forwarding sales.
5 years of leadership experience managing sales teams, ideally cross border.
Proven success selling complex logistics solutions, ideally to C-Suite decision-makers.
Deep understanding of the ocean freight import/export lifecycle.
Strong background in developing and executing commercial strategies for major accounts.
Competency in financial analysis, benchmarking, and account planning is highly valued.
Skills & Attributes   Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
Strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset.
Ability to manage complex, global opportunities with multiple stakeholders.
Energising leadership style - professional, passionate, and engaging.
Adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable driving change.

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