Sales Manager – Freight Forwarding (India Trade Lane & Global Markets)

Location: Chicago / Hybrid
Salary Range: $80,000 – $120,000 + Excellent Benefits

We are hiring a Sales Manager with deep experience in freight forwarding sales, a strong background in India trade lane development, and a broad understanding of global freight markets.

This opportunity is with a global shipping and logistics company founded in India in 1994 and acquired in 2018. The organization has since expanded rapidly and now operates across 7 countries.

Company Overview:

• Headquartered: India
• Global Offices: USA (Chicago), UK, Germany, Turkey, Singapore, Thailand, Japan
• Team Size: 1,000+ employees worldwide
• U.S. Revenue: Approximately $100 million annually
• Industry: Freight Forwarding, Logistics, and Supply Chain Services

Role Overview:

As the General Manager – Sales, you will lead sales and business development across the U.S., manage a small team in Chicago, and focus on expanding our presence in the India-U.S. trade lane.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development & Sales Growth

• Develop and execute U.S. sales strategies to drive revenue growth
• Identify and secure new direct customers
• Meet and exceed individual sales targets
• Build relationships with small/mid-sized U.S. agents supporting India lane

Client & Partner Relationship Management

• Strengthen and retain key U.S. customer accounts
• Expand agent and partner networks
• Act as the primary liaison for strategic client relationships

Market & Trade Lane Development

• Grow all trade lanes, with emphasis on India-U.S. corridor
• Assess market trends and customer needs to tailor solutions
• Analyze competition and adjust sales strategy accordingly

Sales Team Leadership

• Hire, coach, and lead a U.S.-based sales team
• Set sales targets and design incentive programs
• Foster a performance-driven team culture

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Align sales efforts with overall company goals
• Work with operations to ensure service excellence
• Track KPIs and report performance to executive leadership

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in freight forwarding sales or business development
• Proven experience in the India trade lane and understanding of global freight markets
• Demonstrated ability to exceed sales goals
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Experience working with both direct clients and agent networks
• Strategic thinker with the ability to work independently and develop long-term plans
• Knowledge of freight rates, logistics solutions, and trade regulations