DHL Global Forwarding
About DHL Global Forwarding:
DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is the air, ocean, and road freight transportation division of DHL Group, operating across more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. DGF delivers standardized freight transport networks as well as highly specialized end-to-end supply chain solutions to enterprise clients across global industries.
Position Overview:
The Business Development Manager – AFR (Air Freight) plays a vital commercial growth role within DHL Global Forwarding in Manama, Bahrain. This position is primarily responsible for driving commercial expansion, growing air freight traffic volumes, generating gross profit growth across key product categories (AFR primary, Ocean Freight secondary), securing new customer accounts, and building long-term strategic relationships across the GCC region.
Key Responsibilities & Commercial Functions:
1. Business Growth & Pipeline Execution:
– Execute targeted business development strategies to achieve defined revenue targets, gross profit goals, budget benchmarks, and customer retention metrics.
– Focus directly on expanding market share in Air Freight (AFR) while identifying cross-selling opportunities across Ocean Freight (OFR) and value-added logistics solutions.
– Initiate contact with prospective clients, conduct pre-proposal consultations, draft complex commercial bids, and negotiate contracts to successfully close deals.
2. Account Management & Strategic Partnerships:
– Build, maintain, and nurture commercial relationships with target prospects and high-value decision-makers at executive buying levels.
– Collaborate with local, district, and regional operations leadership to align service capacity with customer growth demands.
– Partner with inside sales teams and product managers, supplying continuous competitive market intelligence and pricing insights.
3. Solution Selling & Industry Influence:
– Analyze customer supply chain bottlenecks and propose tailored air freight, charters, and specialized cargo handling concepts.
– Persuade and influence internal and external stakeholders to accept non-standard logistics practices, customized freight structures, and new operating models.
– Provide functional mentoring, trade route guidance, and commercial support to junior sales staff.
Qualifications, Required Experience & Core Competencies:
– Academic Credentials:
* Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Marketing, or a related discipline.
– Required Experience:
* Minimum 3 to 5+ years of verified business development, commercial sales, or key account management experience within air freight forwarding or international logistics.
* Proven track record of pipeline generation, closing complex commercial bids, and hitting air freight volume and gross profit targets.
– Technical Capabilities & Knowledge:
* Deep functional knowledge of Air Freight (AFR) product structures, carrier capacity dynamics, pricing mechanisms, and IATA trade lane regulations.
* Strong working proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), logistics ERPs, and Microsoft Office applications.
– Soft Skills & Communication:
* Exceptional negotiation, executive presentation, and consultative solution-selling abilities.
* Full professional fluency in written and spoken English; Arabic proficiency is advantageous.
Compensation & Benefits Package:
– Competitive base salary with attractive commercial bonus and incentive structures in Bahrain.
– Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance policies for employee and family.
– Annual home leave airfare allowances and paid annual leave entitlements.
– Relocation assistance and end-of-service gratuity per local labor standards.
– Extensive career development, executive coaching, and global leadership opportunities within DHL Group.
To apply for this job please visit careers.dhl.com.