Trade Development Manager

Thank you for considering a career at Port Houston. We appreciate your interest in joining our team. By applying, you are taking an important step toward advancing your career with an organization committed to excellence.Port Houston offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a diverse, inclusive work environment. Joining our team means embarking on a fulfilling career path with opportunities for growth and impact.Before submitting your application, please ensure your resume is ready for upload in either .doc or .pdf format. Application must be completed in full.Position SummaryResponsible for developing new business opportunities and strengthening existing client relationships to drive revenue growth and expand Port Houston’s presence within an assigned geographic territory and focal market segment(s). The position serves as a strategic partner to customers, identifying their evolving supply chain needs and aligning Port Houston’s services to support their long-term success. By proactively engaging prospects, nurturing key accounts, and representing Port Houston at industry events, this role plays a critical part in increasing cargo volumes, enhancing customer satisfaction, and advancing the organization’s competitive position in the global marketplaceKey Responsibilities/DutiesMaintains accurate, real-time updates in the CRM system for all customer interactions, leads and opportunitiesOwn and manage a structured sales pipeline: identify and qualify potential opportunities and ensure they are tracked and advanced through CRM pipeline stages.Work closely with Operations, Economic Development, and Real Estate departments to align on customer solutionsProvide oversight and strategic direction to assigned overseas commercial representatives/agency in target trend lanes; conduct regular alignment calls and periodic in-market visits to strengthen relationships and ensure execution of goals and objectivesDevelop and maintain customer and trade-lane specific business plan and strategyCollaborate closely with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery, provide market intelligence, and contribute to the development of targeted business strategies that support Port Houston’s mission and growth objectives.Proactively meet with former, current, and potential clients in sales territory to drive business goals and increase revenue, cargo volume, and vessels calls to Port Houston facilitiesDevelop and nourish internal and external customer relationshipsQualify BCO, VOCC, and value added NVOC business opportunities by monthly review of Journal of Commerce (J.O.C.) market data, statistical information, networking and other sources.Develop customer and commodity reports, identify and cultivate trade lanes, industry clusters and target customers utilizing data and information provided internally and externally through subscription prospecting services, industry news articles, word of mouth and social mediaParticipate in sales meetings, sales calls, seminar facilitation, trade shows, and the development of other sales strategies and initiativesPlan and attend conferences, seminars, forums, and speaking engagements worldwide to educate, inform, advise, and promote to ultimately serve the goal of growing Port Houston's revenue and prominenceCreate, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutionsAct in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)Perform related duties as requiredEducation/ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Maritime Administration, Marketing, or related field from an accredited public or private institution required5+ years of related business development or B2B experience requiredPrevious logistics, maritime or supply chain experience requiredKnowledge, Skills, Abilities And BehaviorsKnowledge of concepts relating to global supply chain management, ocean transportation industry, cargo terminal operations, carrier nomination process, seaport gateway and site selection methodologyKnowledge of territory managementKnowledge of sales planning and tacticsWritten and oral communication skills, including presentation skillsProject management skillsLeadership and coordination skillsCritical thinking skillsCustomer service skillsOrganization and time management skillsAbility to work effectively with both internal and external customersAbility to analyze, measure and monitor organization's performanceAbility to work independently with minimum supervisionProficient computer skills in Word, Excel, Power Point, and OutlookMust possess a valid driver’s license and be able to secure a TWIC cardKey Competencies RequiredDevelops multi-year trade growth strategiesCommunication & Executive PresenceMaintain long-term customer relationshipsIdentifies new trade lanes and market competitionAnalyzes cargo trends, TEUs, and market shareEffective and Formal PresentationsSales Ability – PersuasivenessTechnical/Professional Knowledge and SkillsAnalytical & Market IntelligenceThis work site location of this job is:Port Houston Administration BuildingWork EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. To apply, please go to porthouston.com/careers. Only applications submitted through the Port Houston Careers website will be acknowledged. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.DisclaimerThe above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.We appreciate your interest in Port Houston. Port Houston is an equal employment opportunity employer. Port Houston’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Port Houston also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Application must be completed in full.