Account Manager

iStaff (Pty) Ltd; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

iStaff (Pty) Ltd in Stellenbosch is seeking a Freight Forwarding Associate to manage onboarding and day-to-day operations for assigned accounts. You will coordinate forecasts, rate requests, and shipments, and work with multiple teams to ensure smooth, cost-effective delivery.

The role requires a Grade 12 with a relevant Diploma, 3+ years in freight forwarding, and strong Excel/Google Workspace skills. The position emphasizes customer care, after-hours availability, and knowledge of road

Qualifications

• Grade 12 with a relevant Diploma in Shipping, Freight Forwarding, Distribution or related field.
• 3+ years experience in Freight Forwarding and logistics experience (preferably export).
• Proficient in Excel and Google Workspace.
• Customer care mindset.
• Willingness to work and be available after hours.
• Knowledge of all road transport modes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct customer visits with the Account Executive and/or Team Leader to understand requirements and maintain client relationships.
• Manage customer onboarding, including: customer application and credit application, terms, compliance docs, invoice instructions, SLA setup, and shipment forecasts.
• Obtain and review customer forecasts and align with booked volumes in the Operating system.
• Coordinate demand planning and ensure shipments align with vessel schedules and capacity plans.
• Request, verify, and maintain freight rates with the Commercial Department before bookings.
• Manage day-to-day operational requirements of accounts, minimizing penalties and costs.
• Participate in operations planning meetings and provide updates on shipment requirements, capacity, and challenges.
• Provide customers with suitable shipping solutions and routing options with ETD/ETA and vessel options.
• Ensure customers receive accurate freight rates and quotations for proposed routes and services.
• Liaise with Customers, Account Executives, Commercial, CS and Operations to ensure end-to-end shipment coordination.

Skills

Freight forwarding experience

Excel

Google Workspace

Customer care mindset

Willingness to work after hours

Knowledge of road transport modes

Education

Grade 12 with Diploma in Shipping/Freight Forwarding/Distribution or related field

Tools

Excel

Google Workspace

Job description

Requirements

• Grade 12 with relevant Diploma in Shipping, Freight Forwarding, Distribution, or related field
• 3+ years experience in Freight Forwarding and logistics experience (preferably export)
• Can work well on Excel and Google Workspace
• Customer care mindset
• Willingness to work and be available after hours
• Knowledge of all road transport modes

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct customer visits together with the Account Executive and/or Team Leader to understand operational requirements and maintain strong client relationships.
• Manage the Customer on-boarding process, ensuring all required documentation and account setup requirements are completed, including:
  • Customer application and credit application
  • Customer terms and freight terms
  • Authority and compliance documentation
  • Invoice instructions, including Forms 11 and 13
  • Customer Service Level Agreement (SLA) setup
  • Collection and review of customer shipment forecasts
• Obtain and review customer forecasts and work closely with the Account Executive to ensure projected shipment volumes are accurately captured and planned within the Operating system.
• Coordinate customer demand planning and ensure shipments are planned and executed in line with allocated volumes, vessel schedules and capacity plans provided by the Commercial and Customer Service teams.
• Request, verify and maintain freight rates and quotations with the Commercial Department before confirming or placing customer bookings.
• Manage the day-to-day operational requirements of assigned accounts, ensuring shipments are handled efficiently while minimising penalties, delays, additional charges and unnecessary costs for both the customer and company.
• Participate in customer and internal operations planning meetings, providing updates on shipment requirements, forecasts, capacity and operational challenges.
• Provide customers with suitable shipping solutions and routing options, including available vessel schedules, stack dates, Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).
• Ensure customers receive accurate and up-to-date freight rates and quotations for proposed shipping routes, vessel options and services.
• Liaise closely with Customers, Account Executives, Commercial, Customer Service and Operations teams to ensure smooth end-to-end coordination of shipments.