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

About the Role

The Key Account Manager (French Speaking) plays a crucial role in Indian Ocean Export Company’s 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 Business Development Manager (BDM) and would be responsible for assisting market growth with the BDMs guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• Assist BDM in creating reports for suppliers, giving relevant market feedback on market conditions and brand activations.
• 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.
• Ensure shipping and payment terms and conditions are mutually beneficial to both client and IOEC.
• Manage pricing, discounts, and service level agreements.
• 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
• Address client concerns or issues promptly and effectively.
• Resolve conflicts or disputes to maintain a positive relationship.
• Identify root causes and develop preventive strategies.
• Stay updated on industry trends and competitive landscape.
• Provide clients with relevant insights and solutions based on market knowledge.
• Help BDM achieve sales and budget that are set for the markets.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and report on progress regularly.

Requirements

• 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

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business