Branch Manager - Freight Forwarding

Position: Branch Manager

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Industry: Freight Forwarding & Logistics

Reports to: Managing Director

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Branch Manager to lead and develop our Hamburg operations. This role combines full P&L ownership with responsibility for operational performance, business development, customer relationships, and team leadership. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving profitable growth whilst ensuring the highest standards of service delivery across air, ocean, road and customs activities.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership

• Develop and execute the branch growth strategy aligned with regional business objectives.
• Drive revenue growth through new business acquisition and expansion of existing customer relationships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, partners, carriers and vendors.
• Identify market trends and opportunities to strengthen the company's position within Northern Germany.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure efficient day-to-day management of all freight forwarding operations.
• Monitor service quality, customer satisfaction, productivity and profitability.
• Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies across the branch.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, industry regulations and customs requirements.

Financial Management

• Full responsibility for branch P&L performance.
• Manage budgets, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Monitor KPIs including revenue, gross profit, productivity, and customer retention.
• Implement initiatives to improve branch profitability and cost control.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of freight forwarding professionals.
• Foster a high-performance and customer-focused culture.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and employee development initiatives.
• Ensure clear communication of business goals and expectations.

Requirements

• Proven experience within freight forwarding and logistics.
• Previous leadership experience managing a branch, station, or operational business unit.
• Strong understanding of air freight, ocean freight, road freight and customs processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and P&L responsibility.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of business development success.
• Excellent stakeholder management and leadership skills.
• Fluent German and English language skills.