Branch Director

Job Title: Branch Director – France

Location: Paris, France

Reports To: Regional Managing Director

Job Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Branch Director to lead our France operations for a global freight forwarding company. The Branch Director will oversee all business activities, ensuring operational excellence, revenue growth, and profitability. You will manage a team of professionals across sales, operations, and customer service, driving success in a highly competitive market. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in freight forwarding, a deep understanding of the French market, and a proven ability to grow a business while maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

Develop and execute the branch’s business strategy in alignment with the company’s global and regional objectives.

Identify market opportunities and lead efforts to expand the company’s presence in the French market, focusing on key verticals such as automotive, retail, healthcare, and industrial.

Revenue and Profitability Growth:

Achieve annual revenue growth targets by driving new business development and expanding relationships with existing clients.

Ensure profitability by monitoring cost structures, optimizing operations, and maintaining competitive pricing strategies.

Operations Management:

Oversee all freight operations (air, sea, road, and rail), ensuring efficiency, compliance with regulations, and high levels of service delivery.

Ensure KPIs related to lead time, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction are consistently met.

Team Leadership and Development:

Lead and mentor a large team across sales, customer service, and operations.

Foster a high-performance culture, set clear expectations, and provide ongoing coaching to develop future leaders.

Client Relationship Management:

Maintain and grow relationships with top global and regional key accounts, ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction and service.

Drive strategic initiatives to deepen customer relationships and increase share of wallet across key industries.

P&L Responsibility:

Full responsibility for the branch’s P&L, ensuring cost control and sustainable growth.

Regularly review financial performance and adjust strategies to meet profitability goals.

Compliance and Risk Management:

Ensure full compliance with all local and international regulations, including customs, trade compliance, and environmental policies.

Manage risks related to operations, market fluctuations, and legal issues, protecting the company’s interests.

Qualifications:

- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in freight forwarding, with at least 5 years in a senior management or branch leadership role.

- Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the freight forwarding industry, including air, ocean, road, and rail logistics.

- Market Knowledge: Strong knowledge of the French logistics and supply chain landscape, with an established network of industry contacts.

- Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead large teams, drive performance, and foster a culture of accountability.

- Financial Acumen: Strong P&L management skills, with experience driving revenue growth and controlling costs.

- Language: Fluency in both French and English is required.

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, or a related field; an MBA is a plus.