Inside Sales Specialist

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services in Jersey City, NJ seeks a Sales Support role to assist the Account Owner in day-to-day operations, manage back-office tasks, and act as the main internal contact for customers.

You will prepare quotes, proposals, and contracts, support forecasting, build customer relationships, and coordinate cross-departmental responses to inquiries, with a focus on accuracy and timely communication.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of proven experience in sales or marketing.
• Academic education in Economics/ Business or related field is advantageous.
• Excellent command of the local language and strong English skills.

Responsibilities

• Research and prepare material for customer meetings with performance data and forecasts.
• Prepare, update and send quotations and rate requests.
• Prepare and send approved proposals and contracts.
• Support Account Owner in sales targets and forecast processes.
• Develop relationships with customer contacts.
• Handle customer questions and resolve issues.
• Provide customers with administrative information on their accounts.
• Follow up on inquiries with other departments.
• Inform customers about changes in rates, schedules or new shipping methods.
• Schedule meetings with customers and join when needed.
• Ensure cargo readiness and update systems with bookings.
• Compile lists of prospective customers for leads.
• Identify and reach out to existing customers for new services/promotions.
• Make outbound lead follow-up calls to qualify leads.

Skills

MS Office

Excel

English proficiency

Education

Economics/ Business Management/ Marketing/ Logistics/ International Negotiation

Job description

Main Purpose of the Role

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)

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000

Requirements

• Academic education. Economics/ Business Management/ Marketing/ Logistics/ International Negotiation - Advantage
• Minimum 2 years of proven experience in sales or marketing position
• Working experience in a local FFW / global company / shipping industry - Advantage
• Proficient in MS Office, Excel in particular
• Excellent control of country’s local language. Good control of English language (Speaking, reading and writing)