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Trade Development Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Participate in sales meetings, sales calls, seminar facilitation, trade shows, and the development ... Project management skills * Leadership and coordination skills * Critical thinking skills

Manage and consolidate incentives. * Coordinate training and communication for inside sales teams ... trade development. Team Support : * Assist with inventory management, forecasting, and demand ...

Breakthru Beverage Has Been Voted One of the Best Managed Companies in the United States Five Years In a Row!! The Trade Development Specialist is responsible for executing and communicating the ...

The Director, Trade Development is responsible for overseeing the assigned Business Management team and nurtures Trade Development Ways of Working (WoW). Masters the 5 Core Competencies: business ...

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Trade Development Manager information

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$11K

$71.5K

$106.5K

How much do trade development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for trade development manager in the United States is $71,527.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,500.00 and $93,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Trade Development Manager typically collaborate with sales and marketing teams to achieve business objectives?

A Trade Development Manager works closely with both sales and marketing teams to design and implement strategies that drive product visibility and increase market share. This involves coordinating promotional activities, analyzing market trends, and providing sales teams with the tools and insights needed to optimize performance. Regular meetings and joint planning sessions are common, ensuring alignment on trade priorities and execution of campaigns. This collaborative approach helps ensure that trade initiatives are both effective and aligned with broader business goals.

What are Trade Development Managers?

Trade Development Managers are professionals responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities within specific markets or regions. They work to increase a company's sales by building strong relationships with distributors, retailers, and other partners. Their duties often include analyzing market trends, creating promotional strategies, and coordinating marketing or sales activities to maximize growth. Trade Development Managers also negotiate contracts and ensure that their company's products or services are well-positioned in the marketplace.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Trade Development Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trade Development Manager, you need strong analytical skills, a solid understanding of market trends, and experience in sales or business development, usually supported by a relevant degree in business or marketing. Familiarity with CRM systems, trade marketing software, and data analysis tools is typically required. Excellent negotiation, relationship-building, and communication skills help you foster strong partnerships and drive business growth. These competencies are vital for identifying opportunities, executing effective trade strategies, and achieving revenue targets in competitive markets.

What is the difference between Trade Development Manager vs Sales Executive?

AspectTrade Development ManagerSales Executive
Primary FocusDeveloping trade relationships, expanding market presence, and strategic partnershipsGenerating sales, closing deals, and meeting sales targets
Required CredentialsRelevant industry experience, possibly a degree in business or marketingSales experience, often with a focus on customer engagement
Work EnvironmentOffice-based with travel to trade shows, client sites, and industry eventsField-based, visiting clients and prospects
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, wholesale, and distribution sectorsWidely used across retail, B2B, and service industries

While both roles involve client interaction and industry knowledge, the Trade Development Manager focuses on strategic trade growth and partnerships, whereas the Sales Executive concentrates on direct sales and revenue generation. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

More about Trade Development Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Trade Development Manager jobs? Cities with the most Trade Development Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Trade Development jobs? The most popular types of Trade Development jobs are:
What states have the most Trade Development Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Trade Development Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Trade Development Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,527 per year, or $34.4 per hour.
Trade Development Manager

Trade Development Manager

Port Houston

Houston, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Thank you for considering a career at Port Houston. We appreciate your interest in joining our team. By applying, you are taking an important step toward advancing your career with an organization committed to excellence.

Port Houston offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a diverse, inclusive work environment. Joining our team means embarking on a fulfilling career path with opportunities for growth and impact.

Before submitting your application, please ensure your resume is ready for upload in either .doc or .pdf format. Application must be completed in full.

Position Summary:


Responsible for developing new business opportunities and strengthening existing client relationships to drive revenue growth and expand Port Houston's presence within an assigned geographic territory and focal market segment(s). The position serves as a strategic partner to customers, identifying their evolving supply chain needs and aligning Port Houston's services to support their long-term success. By proactively engaging prospects, nurturing key accounts, and representing Port Houston at industry events, this role plays a critical part in increasing cargo volumes, enhancing customer satisfaction, and advancing the organization's competitive position in the global marketplace

Key Responsibilities/Duties:

  • Maintains accurate, real-time updates in the CRM system for all customer interactions, leads and opportunities
  • Own and manage a structured sales pipeline: identify and qualify potential opportunities and ensure they are tracked and advanced through CRM pipeline stages.
  • Work closely with Operations, Economic Development, and Real Estate departments to align on customer solutions
  • Provide oversight and strategic direction to assigned overseas commercial representatives/agency in target trend lanes; conduct regular alignment calls and periodic in-market visits to strengthen relationships and ensure execution of goals and objectives
  • Develop and maintain customer and trade-lane specific business plan and strategy
  • Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery, provide market intelligence, and contribute to the development of targeted business strategies that support Port Houston's mission and growth objectives.
  • Proactively meet with former, current, and potential clients in sales territory to drive business goals and increase revenue, cargo volume, and vessels calls to Port Houston facilities
  • Develop and nourish internal and external customer relationships
  • Qualify BCO, VOCC, and value added NVOC business opportunities by monthly review of Journal of Commerce (J.O.C.) market data, statistical information, networking and other sources.
  • Develop customer and commodity reports, identify and cultivate trade lanes, industry clusters and target customers utilizing data and information provided internally and externally through subscription prospecting services, industry news articles, word of mouth and social media
  • Participate in sales meetings, sales calls, seminar facilitation, trade shows, and the development of other sales strategies and initiatives
  • Plan and attend conferences, seminars, forums, and speaking engagements worldwide to educate, inform, advise, and promote to ultimately serve the goal of growing Port Houston's revenue and prominence
  • Create, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions
  • Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
  • Perform related duties as required

Education/Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Maritime Administration, Marketing, or related field from an accredited public or private institution required
  • 5+ years of related business development or B2B experience required
  • Previous logistics, maritime or supply chain experience required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

  • Knowledge of concepts relating to global supply chain management, ocean transportation industry, cargo terminal operations, carrier nomination process, seaport gateway and site selection methodology
  • Knowledge of territory management
  • Knowledge of sales planning and tactics
  • Written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills
  • Project management skills
  • Leadership and coordination skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Customer service skills
  • Organization and time management skills
  • Ability to work effectively with both internal and external customers
  • Ability to analyze, measure and monitor organization's performance
  • Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
  • Proficient computer skills in Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook
  • Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to secure a TWIC card

Key Competencies Required:

  • Develops multi-year trade growth strategies
  • Communication & Executive Presence
  • Maintain long-term customer relationships
  • Identifies new trade lanes and market competition
  • Analyzes cargo trends, TEUs, and market share
  • Effective and Formal Presentations
  • Sales Ability - Persuasiveness
  • Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
  • Analytical & Market Intelligence

This work site location of this job is:

Port Houston Administration Building

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. To apply, please go to porthouston.com/careers. Only applications submitted through the Port Houston Careers website will be acknowledged. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.
Disclaimer:

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job.It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

We appreciate your interest in Port Houston. Port Houston is an equal employment opportunity employer. Port Houston's policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Port Houston also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Application must be completed in full.