Business Development Manager

Job Summary

The Business Development Manager will take total ownership of identifying, profiling, and converting new B2B accounts across air/sea freight, cross-border trucking, and customs clearance structures. This role bridges client requirements with internal execution, requiring the manager to build highly technical shipping quotes, navigate corporate contract negotiations, and align closely with operations teams to guarantee flawless cargo delivery and total customer retention.

Qualification

Candidates must meet the following baseline communication, structural, and legal criteria:

• Right to Work: Candidates must possess the legal right to work in Rwanda without restriction.
• Communication Mastery: Superb written and verbal English communication skills, with a proven ability to confidently pitch, negotiate contract terms, and draft technical shipping proposals for corporate executives.
• Logistics Acumen: Complete structural understanding of cross-border customs regulations, East African port-to-hinterland transport corridors, and international freight documentation.

Experience

Absolute Exclusionary Rule: Only applications displaying direct, recent sales experience within the logistics, shipping, or freight forwarding industries will be advanced to review.

Mandated Professional Background

• Direct Industry Sales Track: Proven, current experience working in a B2B Sales, Account Management, or Business Development capacity specifically within:
  • Freight Forwarding (Air & Sea Freight - FCL/LCL)
  • Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Warehousing Solutions
  • Cross-Border Trucking & Overland Transport
  • Shipping Line Operations or International Trade Services
  • Customs Clearance Brokerage & Import/Export Coordination

Skills & Tech Competencies

• Pipeline Engineering: Demonstrated capability to architect a cold B2B commercial sales pipeline, map corporate decision-makers, and convert leads into high-yield active accounts.
• East African Market Exposure: Prior commercial experience engaging clients, trading routes, or cargo clearing hubs across East African markets is highly desirable.
• Systems Fluency: Hands-on experience utilizing modern Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tracking systems and commercial sales reporting tools.

Key Responsibilities

B2B Client Acquisition & Pipeline Conversion

• Profile New Opportunities: Target, profile, and secure high-volume B2B commercial accounts requiring integrated freight forwarding, transport, or warehousing solutions.
• Accelerate Pipeline Growth: Build a sustainable, high-value pipeline of new business opportunities to meet and exceed regional revenue metrics.
• Manage Quote Cycles: Oversee the drafting, pricing formulation, and formal presentation of complex commercial freight proposals, multi-modal transport quotations, and customs service agreements.

Strategic Account Management & Retention

• Nurture Corporate Ties: Cultivate resilient, multi-level professional relationships with key corporate shippers, manufacturer networks, and commercial trade partners.
• Drive Upsell Strategies: Actively monitor existing accounts to unlock upselling and cross-selling opportunities across the company’s broader supply chain portfolio.
• Conduct Executive Pitches: Represent the company at trade conventions, networking groups, and high-level corporate negotiation panels.

Cross-Functional Operational Alignment

• Partner with Operations: Coordinate closely with internal customs clearing agents, warehouse managers, and transport dispatchers to ensure flawless service delivery and total customer satisfaction.
• Conduct Market Intelligence: Perform continuous local market research to analyze competitor tracking, identify corridor price adjustments, and uncover net-new commercial niches.

Skills Required:

• Logistics / Supply / Chain