Durban: KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER (FRENCH SPEAKING) posted by Indian Ocean Export Company

Key Account Manager – French Speaking

A Key Account Manager (KAM) plays a crucial role in IOECs sales and business development by managing and nurturing relationships with our most important clients or key accounts. A KAM would be a backup to a BDM and would be responsible for assisting market growth with the BDMs guidance. A requirement to work beyond normal office hours due to the time difference with the markets will be required.

Job Summary:

The Key Account Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with new and existing clients to drive business growth, ensure client satisfaction, and meet or exceed sales targets. They would work closely with the BDM. Team Leader and ECs as well as cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional customer service and achieve strategic objectives. We are a technologically forward-thinking company and are constantly evolving our systems, flexibility and a willingness to embrace change is crucial.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing clients.
• Understand the clients’ needs, objectives, and challenges.
• Check all documentation before sending through to clients to ensure correct pricing and stock.
• Ensure that the client has all the relevant documentation before the ship arrives and any additional information that might be required for clearing purposes.
• Assist BDM with Debtors and ensure clients are within their credit limits
• Assist BDM with internal credit limits of both existing and new clients

Order Management:

• Work closely with the team leader to ensure that the orders are being processed quickly and efficiently. Communicate issues and problem to the clients.
• Monitor labelling and special requirements for various orders
• Inform BDM of any large issues that need the BDM involvement

Reporting:

• Assist BDM in creating reports for suppliers, giving relevant market feedback on market conditions and brand activations.

Brand Development:

• Work closely with the BDM on brand development in market and help identify opportunities for increasing sales revenue.
• Monitor and assess brand performance and make necessary adjustments to achieve objectives.

Contract and Negotiation:

• Ensure shipping and payment terms and conditions are mutually beneficial to both client and IOEC.
• Manage pricing, discounts, and service level agreements.

Administration:

• The market is fast paced, multi faceted and client sensitive, although sales ad being customer centric is imperative, a very strong and logical administrative grounding is required to perform strategic tasks that are required.
• The day to day pace of the role will require someone who can compartmentalize and filter through tasks quickly but with extreme attention to detail

Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution:

• Address client concerns or issues promptly and effectively.
• Resolve conflicts or disputes to maintain a positive relationship.
• Identify root causes and develop preventive strategies.
• The incumbent requires a decisive and commercial approach to tasks and problem solving.

Market and Industry Research:

• Stay updated on industry trends and competitive landscape.
• Provide clients with relevant insights and solutions based on market knowledge.

Sales and Revenue Targets:

• Help BDM achieve sales and budget that are set for the markets.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and report on progress regularly.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business.
• French speaking.
• Proven experience in key account management or a similar role.
• Strong understanding of the company’s products, services, and industry.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Results-oriented with a track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.

Personal Attributes:

• Relationship-building skills.
• Customer-focused mindset
• Quick thinking and an ability to think on your feet.
• Adaptability and resilience.
• Extreme attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and goal-driven.
• Innovative, strategic thinker and solutions driven.
• Technologically savvy