Business Development Manager

Job title: Business Development Manager

Location: Dover

Salary: c.£52,000

Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week

The role:

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 as the Business Development Manager would be:

• 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.

What success would look like as the Business Development Manager:

• 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 (desirable)
• Project management experience
• Knowledge of quality, security or food safety standards
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks

Next steps:

If this sounds like the ideal position for you and you have the experience outlined above, then please apply and you will be contacted by a member of our team if your CV matches our requirements.If you would like any further information before applying, then please call Ellie - Permanent Consultant on or email