Key Account Manager

Tall Grass Recruitment; Basildon; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary up to £45,000

Mon-Fri working hours

VIP account management exposure

Leadership of small team

Professional environment

Job summary

Tall Grass Recruitment is seeking a seasoned Key Account Manager for a Basildon-based freight forwarding business. You will manage a high-profile VIP client, coordinate international shipments and lead a small team to ensure smooth operations.

The role requires liaising with overseas agents, managing FCL/LCL shipments, and driving service excellence across the entire shipment lifecycle. You will ensure deadlines are met and client expectations are exceeded, with a focus on long-term relationship

Qualifications

• Experience in Ocean, Road or Air Freight is essential.
• Experience managing international shipments including cross-trade operations.
• Experience supervising a small team would be beneficial.
• Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage time-sensitive shipments.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop one VIP customer account as main contact.
• Coordinate end-to-end international freight shipments, including cross-trade.
• Manage FCL and LCL shipments.
• Lead a small freight operations team of two.
• Ensure on-time, accurate shipment handling.
• Liaise with overseas agents, shipping lines, hauliers and internal departments.
• Handle customer enquiries and escalations professionally.
• Provide shipment progress updates to the customer.
• Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and service standards.
• Oversee shipment documentation, bookings and processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and customer service.

Skills

Ocean Freight

Cross-trade ops

Team leadership

Account management

Customer communication

Job description

Key Account Manager - Freight Forwarding

Location: Basildon, Essex

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum DOE

Working Hours: Monday to Friday

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Role

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Key Account Manager to join an established freight forwarding business based in Basildon, Essex.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced freight professional to take responsibility for managing a high-profile VIP customer account, overseeing day-to-day freight operations and leading a small team of two.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the smooth movement of international shipments, maintaining exceptional customer service standards and building a strong, long-term relationship with a key client.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop the relationship with one key VIP customer account, acting as their main point of contact.
• Oversee the end-to-end coordination of international freight shipments, including cross-trade movements.
• Manage FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments.
• Lead, support and manage a team of two freight operations staff.
• Ensure all shipments are handled efficiently, accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Liaise with overseas agents, shipping lines, hauliers and internal departments.
• Handle customer enquiries, operational issues and escalations professionally.
• Monitor shipment progress and provide regular updates to the customer.
• Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and ensure agreed service standards are consistently achieved.
• Oversee shipment documentation, bookings and operational processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and customer service.

Requirements

• Previous experience within Ocean, Road or Air Freight is essential.
• Experience managing international freight shipments, ideally including cross-trade operations.
• Knowledge of FCL and LCL shipments would be highly advantageous.
• Previous experience in account management or handling key customer relationships.
• Experience supervising or managing a small team would be beneficial.
• Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage customer expectations and handle time-sensitive shipments.
• A proactive, customer-focused approach with excellent attention to detail.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive basic salary of up to £45,000 DOE.
• Monday to Friday working hours.
• Opportunity to manage a prestigious VIP customer account.
• Responsibility for leading and developing a small team.
• Long-term career progression within an established freight forwarding business.
• Supportive and professional working environment.