Account Manager: Retention/Freight Forwarding

Ithemba Recruitment- Sourcing Top Talent; Durban; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an Account Manager in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to enhance client relationships in freight forwarding. The successful candidate will need a minimum of 3 years' experience in the industry and strong knowledge of both local and international logistics. Responsibilities include managing rates, improving client solutions, and ensuring compliance with payment terms. This role demands a proactive and innovative problem-solver capable of building strong partnerships and delivering excellent service.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in freight forwarding with client facing role.
• Strong understanding of shipping procedures and logistics.
• Innovative problem-solver with excellent time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain partnerships with new and existing customers.
• Present and implement rate increases with clients.
• Monitor service levels and report under threat business.

Skills

Fluent in English

Knowledge of Local and International logistics

Problem-solving skills

Time management

Sales skills

Tools

Microsoft Office 365 (Teams, OneNote, Forms)

Job description

About the job Account Manager: Retention/Freight Forwarding

Purpose:

To build and maintain a strong business partnership with new and existing customers, consciously looking for value adding opportunies to improve and develop current client solutions.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Presenting and implementing rates increases with clients, be they on an annual or ad hoc basis
• Supply logistical/supply chain related information and/or consultancy as requested by client utilising the various expertise available throughout the companysuch as customs consultancy, supply chain analysis, etc.
• Presenting to and implementing new products, processes and strategies with clients
• Attend both client and company social events as part of relationship building exercise
• Maintain an acceptable and professional dress code in line with company guidelines
• Arrange war rooms to analyse under threat clients as well as those clients where real opportunities exist
• Organise and run with project plans when necessary
• Ensuring the CRM Program / Style, is always kept updated and minutes of meetings are loaded
• Compile and present performance management reviews detailing transit analysis to various clients
• Compile and present General Management Reviews including shipment stats, financial data and other relevant info or such as QVA to certain clients
• Compiling, monitoring and presenting customised client reports as may be required by client
• Ensuring the client is given access to any company reports/ reporting systems
• Maintain meeting minutes and/or records and distribute.
• Report Under threat business
• Monitoring service levels for each mode (air, ocean, road etc.) and department (exports, imports, logistics etc.)
• Monitoring client relationship status
• Monitoring clients payments cycles as well as outstanding payments in order to ensure compliance with payment terms and agreements

Qualifications and experience:

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in freight forwarding, including minimum of 1 year experience in a client facing role
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of Local and International logistics requirements by Air, Sea and Road
• Clear understanding of shipping procedures from door to door, port operation
• Work under pressure and highly self motivated
• Forward thinking/ innovative and problem-solver
• Responsible and accountable
• Adapt and encourage new challenges
• Carry out a standard and planned approach to work scope in an innovative and creative manner
• Must be excellent at time management with forward planning skills
• Understanding of accounts, international forwarding across all modes of transport
• Sales Training courses attended
• Microsoft office 365 (Teams, OneNote, Forms)