Business Development Manager – Perishables
DEPARTMENT: Sales
REPORTS TO:Executive Management
Salary - $100k to $125k plus benefits
SUMMARY:
The Business Development Manager is responsible for increasing the sale of logistics services for perishables such as fruits, vegetables, and fish, amongst others. He/She must self-source new business, from foreign locations, with emphasis on South and Central America to the US. This key role must be able to produce the volume necessary to maintain a continuous flow of perishable cargo through several warehouses nationwide.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Introduce our services to potential customers.
- Manage accounts from point of sale to payment follow up.
- Maintain a high volume of profitable business, with high frequency to ensure a continues flow of shipments to various warehouse locations.
- Self-source customers utilizing various methods, including leveraging connections and cold calling.
- Regularly communicate with existing and new clients.
- Build and maintain business relationships with decision makers, vendors and suppliers.
- Execute and close all sales calls.
- Work closely with the Operations Team and other departments to ensure a top-of-the-line customer experience.
- Communicate with management on a regular basis regarding market status, hurdles, and needs.
- Enter sales and customer management into the company's ERP.
- Attention and resolution of customer complaints / suggestions.
- Hold specific knowledge regarding international and domestic freight forwarding, perishables, operations, as well as staying current on market trends.
- Develop an entrance strategy for cold calling, qualifying and effectively connecting with prospective customers.
- Create and drive a sales plan that successfully meets sales goals and initiatives.
- Utilize internal tools to negotiate market freight rates for customers.
- Exude the highest level of customer service to both internal and external customers and set the expectations that the transactions will be given high priority and completed to their satisfaction.
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities, associations, and markets to promote sales growth.
- Maximize profit through pricing strategies and effective sales tactics.
- Function as a brand ambassador, promoting the values of the company to clients and partners.
- Participate in team meetings, providing sales reports and forecast information to management, as necessary.
- Set and track personal sales goals on a regular basis utilizing company's CRM.
- Any other misc. task or duties as requested by management.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 7 years of freight forwarding sales experience.
- 7 years of perishables handling experience.
- The ability to generate new sales revenue independently.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to build relationships.
- Demonstrated organization and prioritization skills. Able to keep self and others organized.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Excellent people skills. Ability to communicate clearly and in a professional manner with all employees, vendors, and clients.
- Exceptional diligence.
- Fully bilingual (English/Spanish – written and spoken)
- Proficient in MS Office (word, excel and power point.)
- Salesforce basic knowledge preferred.