Business Development Representative

Job Description

Position: Business Development Representative

Location: Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Newark, NJ, Dallas, TX, Miami, FL

Compensation: $50,000-60,000 plus commission

Job Description:

Business Development Representative (BDR) is responsible for generating new business opportunities within the logistics and transportation sector. This role focuses on outbound prospecting, qualifying leads, supporting the sales pipeline, and collaborating with internal teams to deliver tailored logistics solutions. Success in this role requires strong communication, resilience, curiosity, and a desire to grow within a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct outbound outreach including cold calling, email, and LinkedIn engagement.
• Research and profile target accounts to identify decision-makers and shipping needs.
• Utilize CRM and sales tools to track buyer intent, identify opportunities, and manage outreach cadences.
• Qualify leads by understanding customer requirements, pain points, and logistics challenges.
• Schedule introductory meetings or demos for Sales Leaders and Account Managers.
• Maintain accurate CRM records for all interactions, statuses, and activities.
• Assist in onboarding new accounts by gathering necessary details and supporting operational teams.
• Build rapport with prospects and existing customers through consistent, professional communication.
• Turn one-time opportunities into long-term shipping partnerships.
• Provide responsive service for inbound inquiries when needed.
• Learn and communicate core logistics services including LTL, FTL, intermodal, drayage, air/expedited, and international freight.
• Collaborate with pricing, carrier procurement, operations, and customer service teams to support customer needs.
• Provide feedback to Product Marketing, Sales Enablement, and leadership on customer objections and market trends.
• Meet or exceed monthly activity KPIs (calls, emails, outreach volume).
• Contribute to pipeline creation by consistently booking qualified meetings.
• Support additional tasks or projects to improve sales efficiency.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High energy, initiative, and resilience in a metrics-driven environment.
• Ability to manage time, stay organized, and maintain CRM accuracy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic familiarity with CRMs.
• 1-2 years of experience in sales, customer facing roles, or logistics.
• Bachelor's degree in logistics, business, marketing, or related field.
• Understanding of transportation modes, freight pricing, and supply chain basics.
• Experience with tools such as Salesforce, SalesLoft/Outreach, ZoomInfo, or LinkedIn Sales Navigator.

Forward Air is an Equal Opportunity Employer

#LI-Onsite #LI-LA1

About Us

Forward Air is a leading asset-light provider of transportation services across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. We provide expedited less-than-truckload services, including local pick-up and delivery, shipment consolidation/deconsolidation, warehousing, and customs brokerage by utilizing a comprehensive national network of terminals. In addition, we offer truckload brokerage services, including dedicated fleet services, and intermodal, first and last-mile, high-value drayage services, both to and from seaports and railheads, dedicated contract and Container Freight Station warehouse and handling services. Forward also operates a full portfolio of multimodal solutions, both domestically and internationally, via Omni Logistics. Omni Logistics is a global provider of air, ocean, and ground services for mission-critical freight. We are more than a transportation company. Forward is a single resource for your shipping needs

We move freight, but we're powered by people. Whether you're in the warehouse, on the road, or behind the screen, every teammate keeps our global business in motion and brings logistics to life.