Commercial Manager

Commercial Manager – Freight Forwarding

Location: Folkestone, Kent
Salary: Competitive Salary + Commission + Car Allowance / Company Car
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 40hrs per week

About the Role

We are recruiting for an experienced Commercial Manager to join an established global multimodal freight forwarding and logistics business based in the Folkestone/Dover area.

Reporting directly to the Branch Director, you will take responsibility for the commercial performance, business development and customer growth of the branch, while managing a team of approximately 5 direct reports.

Working closely with the operational team, you will identify new business opportunities, develop existing customer relationships, drive profitability and ensure customers receive a high-quality, tailored service.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager, Sales Manager or Business Development Manager with a background in freight forwarding and logistics to take ownership of commercial performance and make a genuine impact on branch growth and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the growth and profitability of the business by identifying, developing and securing new commercial opportunities across road, sea, air, courier freight, warehousing and customs services.
• Develop and convert new business opportunities, target markets and customer relationships, while identifying opportunities to expand and enhance services provided to existing clients.
• Manage, coach and support a team of approximately 5 direct reports, helping to drive commercial performance, accountability and development.
• Work collaboratively with operational teams to ensure effective account management and delivery of a high-quality, tailored service to customers, supporting long-term retention and growth.
• Manage commercial performance by ensuring appropriate pricing strategies, clear profit margins and maximum profitability across all accounts and opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through regular engagement, including customer meetings, site visits and industry events where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve margins and develop the branch's overall commercial performance.
• Provide regular commercial insight and performance updates to the Branch Director.

Key Requirements

• Previous experience in a Commercial Manager, Business Development Manager or Sales Manager position within a freight forwarding or logistics organisation – Essential.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth and developing profitable business across Air, Sea and/or Road freight services – Essential.
• Experience managing, motivating and developing a commercial team.
• Strong understanding of freight forwarding, logistics and international transport.
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and customer management abilities.
• Self-motivated, resilient and comfortable working in a fast-paced commercial environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accountability.
• High level of IT literacy.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary – open to discussion and negotiable DOE
• Commission scheme
• Monday–Friday | 40hrs per week
• Company mobile phone
• Car allowance or company car
• 25 days holiday + Bank/Public Holidays
• Contributory pension scheme
• Contributory private healthcare
• Long service reward scheme
• Referral bonus scheme
• Members Assistance Programme

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager / Sales Manager / Business Development Manager to take ownership of the commercial performance of an established freight forwarding operation.

With responsibility for both team leadership and commercial growth, the role offers the opportunity to influence strategy, develop customer relationships and contribute directly to the continued success of the branch.

To Note – Should you have not heard back up to 14 days from the date of your application, please assume that you have been unsuccessful.

TLP Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. Please note that by applying for this position you consent to TLP processing and storing your personal data for the purposes of providing you with work finding services. We process your personal data in accordance with data protection laws, which require us to give you a Privacy Statement to explain how we manage your personal data. Our full Privacy Statement is available to view on the TLP website, or it can be provided upon request.