Senior Business Development Manager
FreshTalent →Senior Business Development Manager at FreshTalent is a full time role based in Johannesburg, Gauteng-3240, South Africa-202. The listing asks for 5–15 yrs of experience. Listed skills: business development, external sales, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, global trade knowledge and solution selling. It was published on 4 September 2026 and was open at last check.
| Role | Senior Business Development Manager |
|---|---|
| Company | FreshTalent |
| Location | Johannesburg, Gauteng-3240, South Africa-202 |
| Employment type | Full Time |
| Experience asked | 5–15 yrs |
| Skills listed | business development, external sales, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, global trade knowledge and solution selling |
| Published | 4 September 2026 |
| Status | Open at last check |
Senior Business Development Manager / External Sales Executive (Freight Forwarding & Supply Chain Solutions)
Cape Town or Johannesburg, South Africa | Full-time | Senior | Hybrid
Frequent travel required | Client-facing role
About the Role
We are seeking a seasoned, results-driven Senior Business Development Manager / External Sales Executive to drive new business growth across freight forwarding and end-to-end supply chain solutions.
This senior commercial role will focus on identifying and securing mid-to-large enterprise accounts, developing tailored logistics solutions, managing a high-value sales pipeline, and building long-term relationships with senior decision-makers.
The successful candidate will bring strong freight forwarding knowledge, an established industry network, proven business development capability, and the confidence to engage C-suite executives and supply chain leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Sales
- Prospect for and secure new mid-to-large enterprise accounts across air freight, ocean freight, and contract logistics.
- Develop and deliver compelling sales pitches tailored to prospective clients.
- Apply solution-selling techniques to identify customer needs and position appropriate logistics solutions.
- Drive new revenue and consistently meet or exceed growth targets.
- Maintain a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities.
Supply Chain Solutions
- Analyse prospective clients' supply chains to identify opportunities and challenges.
- Design bespoke, value-adding, end-to-end logistics solutions based on client requirements.
- Apply knowledge of global trade, import/export processes, customs clearing, air freight, ocean freight, and broader supply chain operations.
- Stay informed about local and global market trends, capacity changes, and competitor activity within the South African market.
Client & Account Management
- Act as a trusted commercial advisor to C-suite executives and supply chain decision-makers.
- Develop strong, long-term client relationships focused on retention and partnership value.
- Build and leverage a strong industry network to identify new opportunities.
- Support seamless client onboarding by working closely with pricing, operations, and customer service teams.
Pipeline & Commercial Management
- Maintain an accurate sales pipeline through CRM systems.
- Monitor opportunity progress and maintain reliable revenue forecasts.
- Track sales activity and commercial performance against targets.
- Work cross-functionally to ensure new business transitions smoothly into operational delivery.
Required Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in business development, external sales, or a similar senior commercial role within freight forwarding or supply chain solutions.
- Strong knowledge of: Global trade
- Import/export processes
- Air freight
- Ocean freight
- Customs clearing
- Supply chain solutions
- Proven prospecting and business development capability.
- Strong pitching, negotiation, closing, and solution-selling skills.
- Ability to develop and manage a strong sales pipeline.
- CRM proficiency and experience with revenue forecasting.
- Strong client relationship and stakeholder-management skills.
- Ability to engage effectively with C-suite executives and supply chain decision-makers.
- Strong market intelligence and commercial awareness.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Established industry network within the relevant market.
- Valid driver's licence.
- Own reliable vehicle for frequent client visits.
Preferred Qualifications
A tertiary qualification in one of the following fields is preferred:
- Supply Chain
- Logistics
- Business Management
Role Details
Location: Cape Town or Johannesburg, South Africa
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full-time
Level: Senior
Travel: Frequent travel for client visits
Function: Sales / Business Development / Commercial
Create a free OnJob profile to apply and see your AI match score before you apply. · Posted 4 Sept 2026.
Senior Business Development Manager at FreshTalent — questions answered
What does the Senior Business Development Manager role at FreshTalent pay?
FreshTalent does not publish a salary on this Senior Business Development Manager listing, so OnJob shows no figure for it rather than an estimate. For what this role pays across the market, the OnJob salary guides aggregate the live listings that do disclose pay.
Where is the Senior Business Development Manager role at FreshTalent based?
FreshTalent lists this Senior Business Development Manager role in Johannesburg, Gauteng-3240, South Africa-202, advertised as full time work at that location and asking for 5–15 yrs of experience. Larger employers sometimes cover several sites under one city name, so confirm the exact office with FreshTalent before you apply.
What skills does the Senior Business Development Manager role at FreshTalent require?
The Senior Business Development Manager at FreshTalent listing names business development, external sales, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, global trade knowledge and solution selling. Those are the skills the employer put on the posting itself, so they are the ones worth matching in your profile and covering first in an interview.
How much experience do you need for the Senior Business Development Manager role at FreshTalent?
FreshTalent asks for 5–15 yrs of experience on this Senior Business Development Manager posting, alongside business development, external sales and freight forwarding. Employers commonly consider candidates slightly under a stated band when the listed skills line up.
Is the Senior Business Development Manager role at FreshTalent still open?
The Senior Business Development Manager posting at FreshTalent was open at OnJob's last check of the employer's careers page, having been published on 4 September 2026. OnJob re-checks source listings on each build and marks a role closed once it disappears, but listings can close without notice, so the employer's own page is the final word.
How do you apply for the Senior Business Development Manager role at FreshTalent?
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