Key Accounts Manager

Staffsols•Claremont, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Our client is looking for an energetic, customer-focused Key Accounts Manager who enjoys building strong relationships, solving problems and turning transport requirements into service, business development and growth opportunities. You will play a key role in connecting customers, transport service providers and internal teams. The position is responsible for managing customer opportunities from initial forecasting and rate proposals through onboarding, service execution, retention and account growth.

Requirements

Grade 12 / Matric.
Tertiary qualification in Sales, Logistics, Transport, Operations or a related field.
Previous experience in customer service, sales support, logistics, transport or a similar service-based environment.
Strong communication and relationship-management skills.
Excellent customer-service and interpersonal skills.
Commercial awareness with the ability to identify business development opportunities.
Strong organisational, follow-up and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent attention to detail.
Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and relevant operational systems.
Valid driver's licence.
Willingness and ability to travel within the Western Cape.

Nice To Haves

Customer-focused
Relationship building
Business development
Commercial awareness
Problem-solving
Negotiation skills
Planning and organisation
Strong follow-through
Communication skills
Attention to detail
Ability to work under pressure
Team collaboration

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and key operational contacts.
Develop an understanding of each customer's business, seasonal cycles, commodities, routes and logistics requirements.
Conduct regular customer visits, calls and account reviews.
Maintain consistent communication during normal operations and periods of disruption.
Ensure customer queries and complaints are followed through to successful resolution.
Identify customers at risk of reducing volumes and proactively address concerns.
Maintain relationships beyond peak season and identify opportunities for ongoing business.
Identify new customer opportunities and growth opportunities within existing accounts.
Understand potential routes, volumes and customer service requirements.
Increase the company's share of wallet within existing customer accounts.
Identify opportunities outside traditional peak seasons to support year-round fleet utilisation.
Track quotations and opportunities through to successful conversion.
Develop and maintain strong commercial relationships with customers.
Obtain customer forecasts and expected seasonal volumes.
Understand anticipated routes, peak periods and capacity requirements.
Communicate forecasted requirements to Planning and Operations well in advance.
Prepare, issue and follow up on quotations and rate proposals.
Maintain accurate, customer-specific rate sheets.
Understand base rates, fuel adjustments and applicable surcharges.
Negotiate rates within approved commercial parameters and escalate larger commercial decisions when required.
Issue and follow up on customer credit applications.
Obtain all required company and supporting documentation.
Follow up internally to ensure credit applications are processed and approved.
Confirm approved credit limits and payment terms with customers.
Ensure customer master data is accurately captured.
Ensure agreed rates and surcharges are correctly loaded.
Obtain operational contacts and escalation details.
Confirm customer invoicing requirements.
Ensure Transport Agreements and Terms & Conditions are completed where required.
Ensure Planning and Operations have a clear understanding of customer requirements.
Coordinate customer changes and requirements with Planning.
Maintain an understanding of available fleet capacity.
Identify potential capacity shortages based on customer forecasts.
Assist in identifying additional transport service providers where required.
Escalate potential capacity constraints before they result in service failures.
Monitor important, sensitive and high-risk transport movements.
Maintain proactive communication with customers regarding operational progress and exceptions.
Identify potential service failures at an early stage and escalate appropriately.
Coordinate recovery plans where service execution is at risk.
Ensure operational issues and customer complaints are followed through to final resolution.
Maintain a high level of customer service throughout the transport process.