[exim] Exim in systemd system (queue mode)

In a backup script for SysV init system I used to:

1. stop exim MTA, /etc/init.d/exim stop
2. run exim in queue-only mode: /etc/init.d/exim queue
3. stop imap MDA.
4. option: enable file-system snapshot feature
5. create backup of locally delivered files.
6. option: clean up after snapshotting.
7. start imap MDA.
8. stop exim in queue-only mode, /etc/init.d/exim stop
9. start exim MTA in normal mode, /etc/init.d/exim start

Now, in a systemd based system the "/etc/init.d/exim queue" command is
missing. And I can't find a "systemctl queue exim.service" equivalent.
Can I just replace this step with: "/usr/sbin/exim -bd -odq" ?
Or do you recommend another approach?

Kind regards
Michael