Account Manager jobs
Customer retention is one of the most important aspects of running a logistics business. As with any business, retaining profitable and reliable clients can make you the envy of your competitors by minimising the time and effort spent chasing new clients.
But retaining clients is not just about sitting back and enjoying the ride; it’s an active craft, involving constant communication with clients and senior management to ensure smooth running, met deadlines and fulfilled aspirations. Account managers are therefore a key employee in the customer retention effort.
Reporting to the account director and senior management, the account manager is a human interface with the clients. They will know their clients’ demands intimately and in turn, the client should appreciate the personal service and understanding. In large companies with many clients, this would be impossible without the account managers.
An account manager might also have a team of subordinates dealing with specific clients or sectors, and the manager will need to not only instruct them but also remain completely aware of what they are doing strategically and in detail.
The skills required
The account manager will need to be a flexible person, able to deal with different clients in their own unique ways. A deep knowledge of logistics and the industries they are dealing with will be essential. As they will be trusted by the customers to deliver on promises they make, they must also be able to both stay well connected with those within their company who make delivery possible, but also realise the limits of possibility so as not to overpromise and underdeliver.
Good, accurate reporting skills will be required, and a strategic mindset, able to interpret goals from management and account directors and turn them into results, will be essential.
Account Manager Jobs in Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, Account Manager jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
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Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
If you're looking for a promotion or simply want to change employer, Cast UK’s recruitment consultants can help you take the next step in your logistics career.
We work with hundreds of UK employers to ensure positions are filled by the most appropriate people. We ourselves only employ people with experience in procurement, logistics and supply chain.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit an Account Manager for your business or find you a job as an Account Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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