Manager, Senior Key Accounts, Solutions at DSV

Minimum Requirements:

• Matric or equivalent
• Tertiary Qualification: Preferably in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales or a related field
• Advanced degrees (MBA or similar) can be advantageous

Job Related Requirements:

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years experience in logistics industry (eg: transport or warehousing)
• At least 10 years in Consumer (Fashion and Retail) warehousing industry
• At least 5 years Key Account Management Experience with track record of mannaging senior key accounts

Skills:

Communication:

• Strong Verbal and written communication skills, fluent in English
• Verbal Communication: Effectively communicating with various stakeholders, presenting ideas clearly and addressing concerns
• Written Communication: Proficiency in drafting emails, reports and documentation that are clear and concise
• Active Listening: Demonstrate active listening skills to understand stakeholder needs and concerns fully

Relationship Management:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, customers and internal teams
• Customer Service Orientation: Understanding and meeting the needs of customers and ensuring their satisfaction
• Supplier Relationship Management: Develop and nurturing strategic partnerships with key suppliers

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution:

• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation skills for contract discussions, pricing and terms with suppliers and customers
• Conflict Resolution: Handling disputes and conflicts effectively, finding mutually beneficial solutions

Technical Proficiency:

• ERP Systems: Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics
• Supply Chain Software: Experience with supply chain management software such as Warehouse Management Systems, Transport Management systems
• Advanced Excel & PowerPoint Skills: Competence in using Excel for data analysis, modeling, and reporting and PowerPoint for customer facing material

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Strategic Thinking: Developing and implementing long-term plans for supply chain improvement and innovation.
• Business Acumen: Understanding the broader business context and aligning supply chain strategies with overall business goals

Interpersonal Skills:

• Empathy: Understanding the perspectives and needs of various stakeholders
• Influence and Persuasion: Ability to influence and persuade stakeholders to support supply chain initiatives and changes

Leadership and Team Management:

• Team Leadership: Leading and motivating a team, managing performance, and fostering a collaborative environment
• Project Management: Skills in planning, executing, and overseeing supply chain projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget

Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge:

• Industry Regulations: Familiarity with relevant industry regulations, compliance standards, and ethical sourcing practices
• Sustainability: Knowledge of sustainable supply chain practices and the ability to implement environmentally friendly initiatives

Adaptability and Flexibility:

• Change Management: Managing and adapting to changes within the supply chain, including technological advancements and market shifts
• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and navigating cultural differences in a global supply chain context

Electives:

• High work rate, quality of work and attention to detail
• Demonstrate initiative
• Required to be assertive, self-motivated and committed
• High personal integrity
• Must be on time and conscientious about achieving deadlines

Main Purpose of the Role:

• At DSV Solutions, our Key Account Managers are at the heart of the business, connecting the dots from every aspect of the business from operations, customers, financial, reporting, and people management.
• We are seeking an experienced Senior Key Accounts Manager to join our team in Solutions Consumer vertical, based in Cape Town. The candidate requires a deep understanding of retail and fashion supply chain logistics and coupled with extensive account management experience. Exceptional negotiation and communication skills are essential.
• The Key Account Manager is tasked to develop sharp and creative business strategies for different challenges in this fast-moving landscape. Key Account Managers are expected to be entrepreneurs, leading a team of multifunctional resources from the front line. This position will be in responsible for maintaining and expanding a long-term partnership with our customers by continuously engaging, negotiating, seeking solutions, and play a key role in meaningful and effective communication between all parties.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and sustain solid relationships with key clients of financial importance and high value to accomplish long-term company objectives
• Serving as a trusted business advisor, service expert and single point of contact.
• Work with the customer, operations and commercial to deliver on business objectives.
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating business plans to meet and exceed goals.
• Drive and represent operational performance improvements.
• Interpretation of data into actionable conclusions and developing meaningful insights to stakeholders.
• Translate customer requirements, including forecasts, into actionable plans for operations.
• Managing escalations, including coordination, communications, and follow through on mitigations.
• Tracking, trending, and reporting on market trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Execute customer satisfaction surveys, draw up action plans, supervise and complete them.
• Conduct and coordinate performance reviews with the customers, weekly, monthly, and yearly.
• Ensure customer satisfaction with products and services
• Develop strategic account plants, identify growth opportunities and negotiate contracts, ensuring beneficial terms for both the company and key clients
• Research key customer wants and needs
• Stay abreast with warehousing industry and market trends and best practices
• Identifying new business opportunities within existing accounts and strategizing to expand company footprint in the market
• Measure, track and analyze key account warehousing metrics, using data driven insights to measure success and drive continuous improvements
• Conduct regular business reviews and performance analyses for key accounts, provide valuable insights and recommendations to enhance client partnerships
• Serve as point of contact for key customers and internal teams
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences and meet client expectations