Business Development Manager – Africa Region

About the role

DHL Global Forwarding is seeking a Business Development Manager for the Africa region (AFR) based in Manama, Bahrain. The role focuses on driving growth of airfreight volumes and gross profit while also expanding ocean freight and other services.

Key responsibilities

• Execute business development plans to achieve customer growth, retention, revenue targets and budgets.
• Conduct market and feasibility studies to assess potential and analyse target groups.
• Prospect new opportunities through market research and develop marketing initiatives.
• Initiate contact with prospects, identify decision makers, understand strategic challenges and match customer needs with DHL services.
• Prepare proposals, conduct negotiations and close deals.
• Build and maintain relationships with key accounts and coordinate prospect‑focused teams.
• Collaborate with local, district and regional management to align customer requests and service offerings.
• Coordinate sales efforts with inside sales and provide competitive intelligence to product management.
• Identify and resolve issues beyond defined procedures and promote new concepts and approaches.
• Lead stakeholder management across specialist departments and external service providers.

Required profile

• Proven experience in business development or sales within logistics, freight or transportation.
• Strong track record of achieving revenue and profit targets.
• Ability to conduct market research, feasibility studies and develop strategic proposals.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship‑building skills with senior decision makers.
• Experience coordinating cross‑functional teams and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Good understanding of airfreight and ocean freight services.
• Based in or willing to work in Manama, Bahrain.

Required skills