Commercial & Operations Manager

At a glance: Reporting to the Managing Director – we are seeking a commercially driven and hands-on Commercial Manager to lead our Customer Service team while driving business growth. This role is ideal for an experienced freight forwarding professional with a proven sales track record, an existing customer portfolio, and the ability to manage day-to-day operations in a fast-paced SME environment. About the role: As the Commercial Manager, you will be responsible for growing the company’s revenue through new business development and account management, while overseeing the daily operations of the customer service team. Your key responsibilities include: · Achieve sales and gross profit targets through new and existing customers · Leverage your own customer portfolio to generate immediate business opportunities · Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, overseas agents and service providers · Lead and mentor the Customer Service Team to deliver excellent customer service and operational performance · Oversee import, export, and cross-trade shipments, ensuring timely execution and compliance · Review quotations, pricing and profitability to maximise commercial returns · Resolve customer escalations and drive continuous improvement in operational processes · Work closely with management to support business growth and strategic initiatives Skills& Experiences Required: To succeed in this role, you must be able to work in a fast-paced, at times ambiguous and complex environment and have: Minimum 8 years' experience in freight forwarding or logistics, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. Proven sales track record with an established portfolio of freight forwarding customers. Strong commercial acumen with experience in pricing, negotiations and profit management. Sound knowledge of Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Customs Clearance and freight forwarding operations. Strong leadership, coaching and people management skills. Excellent communication, customer relationship and problem-solving abilities. Self-driven, results-oriented and comfortable working in a hands-on SME environment. Ability to balance commercial growth with operational excellence.