# Business Development Manager (IO & East Africa)

> Proactive Talent Solutions · Port Louis, Mauritius · Full-time · Posted 2026-09-04

**Workplace:** on_site

## Description

**Role Purpose**

The role is primarily a **business development and commercial leadership position**, focused on building and expanding the company's shipping, freight forwarding, logistics, and container-related business across the **Indian Ocean and East Africa**. The Mauritius office serves as the commercial hub, while Mombasa handles operational execution.

**Key Responsibilities**

-   Develop strategic relationships with international shipping lines, NVOCCs, agents, freight forwarders, importers, and exporters.
-   Negotiate freight rates, service contracts, carrier allocations, free days, detention, and demurrage terms.
-   Generate new business in:

-   Ocean freight (FCL & LCL)
-   Import and export shipping
-   NVOCC activities
-   Shipping-line representation and agency services
-   Container storage, repositioning, and handling
-   Inland transport, warehousing, and cross-border logistics

-   Promote Mombasa as a logistics gateway into East and Central Africa.
-   Secure contracts for container depot, equipment management, empty-container handling, reefer operations, repairs, and related services.
-   Develop long-term customer accounts and recurring container volumes.
-   Monitor market trends, freight rates, capacity, competitors, and trade developments.

**Geographic Focus**

Strong emphasis on trade lanes connecting:

-   Asia/China
-   India
-   Middle East (especially Dubai)
-   Europe
-   Mauritius
-   Kenya (Mombasa)
-   East and Central Africa

**Performance Expectations**

The role is highly KPI-driven and measured by:

-   New shipping-line and logistics contracts secured
-   Container volumes (TEUs)
-   Revenue and gross profit generated
-   Customer acquisition and retention
-   Shipping-line relationships established
-   Container storage and transport contracts won

## Requirements

**Ideal Candidate Profile**

The preferred candidate will have:

-   Direct experience within a shipping line, liner agency, NVOCC, freight forwarder, shipping agency, or container depot operation.
-   Existing relationships with shipping-line decision-makers.
-   Strong understanding of:

-   International container shipping
-   Freight pricing and carrier contracts
-   FCL/LCL operations
-   Bills of lading and trade documentation
-   Container equipment management
-   Reefer and depot operations
-   East African and Indian Ocean trade routes

**Required Skills**

-   Strong commercial negotiation and sales ability
-   Proven business development capability
-   Knowledge of international shipping and logistics
-   Relationship-building with senior industry executives
-   Analytical and market intelligence skills
-   Proposal preparation and contract negotiation expertise
-   Strong communication and presentation skills

**Experience Requirements**

-   **Minimum:** 5 years in shipping/logistics.
-   **Preferred:** 8 to 15 years within shipping lines, NVOCCs, liner agencies, or international freight forwarding.
-   Experience covering East Africa, Mauritius, Mombasa, or Indian Ocean trades is highly advantageous. 

_**Proactive reserves the right:**_ 

-   _**To call only the shortlisted candidates for interview.**_
-   _**Not to make any appointment following this advertisement nor to assign any reason whatsoever for accepting or rejecting any candidate.**_

## Apply

[Apply at Proactive Talent Solutions](https://apply.workable.com/proactive-talent-solutions/j/5E2A0B978F/apply)

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