Inside Sales Specialist

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. is seeking a Support Account Owner to assist in day-to-day operations, act as a main contact for customers, and handle back-office activities.

You will prepare and send quotations, proposals and contracts, and support sales targets and forecasts while building strong customer relationships. Responsibilities include preparing meeting materials, updating rate requests, and communicating changes in rates and schedules to customers.

Qualifications

• 4 Year Degree in Economics/ Business Management/ Marketing/ Logistics/ International Negotiation preferred.
• MUST HAVE at least 1-2 years of experience in Maritime, Port Operations, Freight Forwarding, Shipping, or Logistics
• Proficient in MS Office, Excel in particular

Responsibilities

• Research and prepare material for customer meetings: past performance and forecast, needs solutions, issues, opportunities, financials, etc.
• Prepare, update and send quotations (including rate requests from other ZIM departments/agencies)
• Prepare and send approved proposals and contracts
• Support Account Owner in Sales Targets and Booking Forecast processes
• Prepare materials for weekly meetings with Sales Director and the sales team
• Develop relationships with relevant contacts from the customer side
• Assist in solving and follow-up on customer issues and complaints
• Provide customers with administrative information on their account
• Forward and follow-up telephone and email inquiries to other departments within ZIM
• Inform customers on changes in different topic such as: rates, schedule, new shipping methods, etc.

Skills

MS Office

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Economics/Business/Logistics

Job description

Support Account Owner efficiently and effectively in day-to-day operations, act as internal point of contact for customers, handle customers’ requests, and manage back office related activities

Main Tasks:

• Research and prepare material for customer meetings: past performance and forecast, needs solutions, issues, opportunities, financials, etc.
• Prepare, update and send quotations (including rate requests from other ZIM departments/agencies)
• Prepare and send approved proposals and contracts
• Support Account Owner in Sales Targets and Booking Forecast processes
• Prepare materials for weekly meetings with Sales Director and the sales team
• Develop relationships with relevant contacts from the customer side
• Assist in solving and follow-up on customer issues and complaints
• Provide customers with administrative information on their account
• Forward and follow-up telephone and email inquiries to other departments within ZIM
• Inform customers on changes in different topic such as: rates, schedule, new shipping methods, etc.
• Schedule meetings with existing and potential customers and occasionally join them
• Cargo readiness follow up: perform daily and/or weekly follow up on future bookings under respective AO portfolio to ensure customers are performing as per their forecast and if not, that our systems are updated accordingly
• Compile lists of prospective customers for use as sales leads based on information from ZIM and other websites, external databases, and inquiries, trade shows, aged leads, business directories, etc.
• Identify and reach out to existing customers and prospects when new services / promotions are relevant
• Make outbound lead follow-up calls to potential and existing customers by telephone and e-mail (to qualify leads for Account Owners)

Requirements:

• 4 Year Degree in Economics/ Business Management/ Marketing/ Logistics/ International Negotiation preferred.
• MUST HAVE at least 1-2 years of experience in Maritime, Port Operations, Freight Forwarding, Shipping, or Logistics
• Proficient in MS Office, Excel in particular