General Manager - Freight Forwarding (Sales & Operations)

Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role for a General Manager - Freight Forwarding (Sales & Operations) at Bali And Company Logistics Private Limited, located in Connaught Place, New Delhi. The General Manager will lead sales and operations in the freight forwarding vertical.

Summary

If you’ve spent years in freight forwarding, not just working in it, but thinking deeply about how this business should run, we’re building something you’ll want to lead. We’re seeking a senior professional to establish, lead, and scale our freight forwarding division. The ideal candidate is someone who knows how cargo actually moves: who has negotiated with shipping and airlines, solved breakdowns, built strong overseas agent networks/relationships, and now wants to build and run an entire vertical.

This is not a role for people looking to “try something new.”

This is a leadership role for someone who already understands the system inside‑out and is ready to run it end-to-end.

Why This Matters

For 53+ years, Bali & Company Logistics Pvt. Ltd. has been one of India’s most trusted names in the EXIM trade, specifically in customs clearance, trade advisory, and regulatory compliance. Now, we're expanding by building a full-service freight forwarding division. And, we’re building this ourselves, in-house, with the same standards of transparency, trust, and execution that made us a 53-year-old legacy in Indian logistics. This isn’t a managerial-level role or a simple plug-and-play. It’s a chance to lead a core business vertical and grow it into a profit centre with your name on it.

Your Core Responsibilities

You’ll lead freight forwarding operations across Air & Sea, Import & Export. Specifically:

• Build and maintain global agent networks, vendor relationships, liner and airline partnerships  
• Negotiate rates and close bookings across FCL, LCL, breakbulk, and air freight
• Lead sales and client acquisition to grow freight revenue across key sectors
• Plan and handle time-sensitive/high-value/specialized cargo like (machinery, electronics, pharma, media, diplomatic cargo etc.)
• Design pricing, margin, and GP strategies across trade lanes
• Handling recovery, credit control, and cost optimisation
• Monitor and own end-to-end shipment execution: from booking to delivery, across ports and ICDs
• Lead shipper/consignee communication, execution, and shipment lifecycle management
• Build and lead a reliable freight operations team
• Report directly to top leadership and contribute to strategic decisions

This Role Is for You If

• You’ve been actively handling freight ops end‑to‑end, not just coordinated/supported them
• You’ve built strong agent networks and resolved time-bound, sensitive shipments independently
• You understand how to make a shipment profitable, not just move it
• You can talk pricing, GP, recovery, execution and trade lane strategy in one breadth
• You’ve built strong working relationships with shipping lines, airlines, and CB partners
• You want the autonomy to build a business vertical from scratch and take ownership of results

Must Haves

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in international freight forwarding (Air + Sea)
• Strong knowledge of INCOTERMS, documentation, clearance workflows, and booking processes
• Demonstrated success in rate negotiation, margin planning, and client retention
• Proven ability to own P&L, manage collections, and solve operational issues independently
• Strong and well established network of agents, NVOCCs, freight partners, and shipping/airline reps across key trade lanes (China, Europe, Middle East, USA & Far East)
• Structured, reliable work ethic and strong commercial acumen

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Commerce, Business, or Similar
• Prior experience at a Freight Forwarding or logistics company with international exposure
• Experience handling special cargo (e.g. temperature-controlled, ATA Carnet, hazardous, or time-bound shipments)
• Exposure to multi-port operations and vendor management
• Confidence in client-facing communication and stakeholder management

Not a Fit If

• You’ve never independently handled freight operations or led a team
• You’re strong at sales but weak on execution and recovery
• You need constant supervision to deliver
• You’re exploring this as a side‑step (we’re building for the long term)