Branch Manager, Freight Forwarding

The Branch Manager will oversee the daily operations of our Des Plaines, IL office and support a team of experienced professionals to grow and service the business.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maximizes profitability through strong, decisive and entrepreneurial leadership, while maintaining high standards of quality and customer service.
• Takes ownership for the full P/L and performance of the Branch and takes action needed to meet budgeted guidelines and achieve defined KPI’s within the Branch.
• Fosters strong relationships with customers and vendors to strengthen the company’s position in the marketplace.
• Operates branch with the utmost integrity with full support of company values and fundamentals.
• In collaboration with team, drives continuous improvement efforts throughout the branch to improve our customer experience and to enhance operational efficiencies.
• Promotes global reach by working closely with global partners to identify and close business opportunities and to strengthen our brand.
• Analyzes and interprets financial statements (i.e. P&L, Cash Flows, etc.) in order to maximize profits through sound business practices.
• Addresses ongoing systemic issues with network performance, customer profitability, and process deviation in order to ensure quick and effective corrective actions.
• Proactively keeps senior management informed of major developments within the Branch.
• Actively manages and drive financially related activities to include but not limited to, Accounts Receivable, File Level Closing, and profitability verification, and dispute resolution.
• Accountable for achieving and following up on corrective action plans within the Branch.
• Holds themselves and their team fiscally accountable and drives the team to meet financially related KPI’s and budgets.
• Identifies, hires, develops, and trains high potential talent and provides a challenging and rewarding work experience.
• Performs supervisory duties in manner consistent with company values and mission when hiring, training and developing, coaching and counseling, evaluating, and disciplining employees.
• Ensures performance goals are set, performance is measured, and regular informal and formal feedback is provided to direct reports within assigned department
• Monitors and manages staffing levels and workload allocation across team within assigned territory. Develops team and individuals within the team and succession planning
• Works with existing sales team to execute sales strategy. This includes, but is not limited to, personally building and maintaining a book of business and providing executive coaching and support to team as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Business, Logistics and Supply Chain, Transportation, or associate field), or equivalent combination of education and work experience will be considered in lieu of educational requirement
• 7-10 years of experience in international freight forwarding required with sales/account management experience encouraged
• 7-10 years of supervisory/managerial experience required
• LCB preferred