Account Executive

Account Executive

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Descartes SmartCompliance

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive revenue growth by winning high-value logistics customers and delivering impactful solutions.
  • Company: Join Descartes, a leading logistics tech company transforming supply chains globally.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, remote work, and career growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture focused on innovation and sustainability.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in logistics while developing your sales expertise.
  • Qualifications: Sales experience with SaaS solutions; logistics knowledge is a plus.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Descartes unites the people and technology that move the world. The need for efficient, secure, and agile supply chains and logistics operations has become ever more critical and complex. By combining innovative technology, powerful trade intelligence, and the reach of our network, Descartes helps get goods, information, transportation assets, and people where they’re needed, when they’re needed. We’re one of the most broadly deployed logistics and supply chain technology companies in the world. More than 26,000 customers around the globe use our cloud-based solutions to transform the way they move inventory and information to enhance productivity, better serve customers, thrive competitively, keep pace with evolving regulations, and respond to rapidly changing market conditions.

We’re growing fast and invite you to join our amazing team.

Mission — Why This Role Exists

Drive new revenue growth in the UK by winning high-value logistics service provider customers and delivering measurable operational impact through Descartes’ LSP solutions. This role exists to scale a disciplined, repeatable sales motion within a defined ICP of freight forwarders and 3PLs, turning complex customer challenges into clear business value and long-term partnerships.

Outcomes — What Success Looks Like (Year 1)

  • Deliver £600k in net new ARR through consistent new logo acquisition within the defined ICP.
  • Build and maintain 3x qualified pipeline coverage each quarter via disciplined outbound prospecting and partner-sourced opportunities.
  • Achieve a 50%+ win rate on qualified opportunities while maintaining a structured ~40-day sales cycle that balances speed and deal quality.
  • Reach full productivity within 4 months, successfully completing onboarding and consistently executing the sales playbook.
  • Produce accurate and reliable forecasts through rigorous pipeline hygiene and deal qualification discipline.
  • Generate repeatable customer success stories and references, demonstrating measurable business value delivered to clients.

Skills & Competencies — How the Work Gets Done

  • Sales Expertise & Execution: Proven ability to own the full sales cycle: prospecting, discovery, solution design, negotiation, and close. Experience selling complex, multi-stakeholder SaaS solutions (logistics or supply chain experience is a strong advantage). Strong command of value-based selling methodologies (e.g., Customer Centric Selling). Disciplined outbound prospecting habits and pipeline generation.
  • Commercial & Analytical Rigour: High accuracy in forecasting is supported by strong pipeline management practices. Data-driven approach to sales execution, conversion rates, and deal progression. Ability to balance speed (sales cycle velocity) with deal quality.
  • Behavioural Competencies (Aligned to TEAM Values): Transparency: Communicates clearly and honestly with customers and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment and trust. Excellence & Expertise: Continuously develops product, industry, and sales mastery to deliver high-quality engagements. Accountability: Takes ownership of territory performance, quota attainment, and commitments. Metric-Driven Results: Uses data to guide decisions, improve conversion rates, and optimise performance.

Ways of Working

  • Highly coachable; actively applies feedback to improve live deals.
  • Curious and solutions-oriented, with a strong interest in solving real operational problems for customers.
  • Collaborative team player who partners effectively across sales, marketing, solution consulting, and partners.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership over territory growth.

What’s in It for You

  • High-impact role with clear ownership: You will own a defined UK territory and directly influence regional growth in a large, underpenetrated market.
  • Proven playbook and structured onboarding: A pressure-tested enablement program designed to get you productive quickly and set you up for repeatable success.
  • Career growth and expanded scope: Opportunity to grow with a scaling global business unit and take on larger deals, broader territories, or leadership responsibilities over time.
  • Meaningful customer impact: Work with leading logistics organisations to solve real operational challenges and deliver measurable business outcomes.
  • Collaborative, high-performance environment: Join a team that values coaching, accountability, and shared success.
  • Autonomy with support: Operate independently in your territory while leveraging strong cross-functional support and a global ecosystem of partners.

Join us as we scale, looking for new doers, collaborators, and innovators to join Descartes in uniting the people and technology that move the world as the Global Leader in Logistics and Supply Chain Technology. We offer competitive compensation, great benefits, remote and flexible work hours, and the opportunity to join a company on an awesome mission with a great existing team and trajectory.

If you feel you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for, and Descartes sounds like the team and the mission you want to be part of, apply now. We can't promise it will be a fit, but we do promise to consider your experience.

We are an Equal Employment employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law.

Account Executive employer: Descartes SmartCompliance

Descartes is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and high-performance culture, empowering employees to take ownership of their roles while providing robust support and resources for success. With a strong commitment to career growth, competitive compensation, and flexible work arrangements, Descartes offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the logistics and supply chain industry. Join a team that values innovation, accountability, and environmental responsibility, all while working in a dynamic and rapidly growing global business.
Descartes SmartCompliance

Contact Detail:

Descartes SmartCompliance Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Account Executive

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Descartes' solutions and their impact on logistics. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn, join relevant groups, and engage in discussions. This can give you insider insights and potentially a referral!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for role-play scenarios! Since this role involves complex sales cycles, practice how you'd handle objections or pitch solutions. It’ll boost your confidence and showcase your skills.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Descartes team!

We think you need these skills to ace Account Executive

Sales Cycle Management
Prospecting
Solution Design
Negotiation Skills
SaaS Sales Experience
Value-Based Selling
Pipeline Management
Data-Driven Decision Making
Forecasting Accuracy
Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Accountability
Curiosity
Entrepreneurial Mindset

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Account Executive role. Highlight your sales expertise, especially in logistics or SaaS solutions, and show how your experience aligns with our mission at Descartes.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use metrics to demonstrate how you’ve driven revenue growth or improved sales processes in previous roles. We love data-driven results!

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for curious, solutions-oriented individuals who are passionate about solving operational challenges. Show us what makes you unique!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Descartes SmartCompliance

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Descartes' solutions and how they impact logistics and supply chains. Familiarise yourself with their technology and customer success stories. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their mission.

✨Showcase Your Sales Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience with the full sales cycle, especially in complex environments. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in previous roles, particularly in SaaS or logistics. Highlight your value-based selling techniques and how they've led to successful outcomes.

✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions

Since this role requires a strong analytical approach, come prepared with metrics from your past experiences. Be ready to discuss how you've managed pipelines, forecasted accurately, and used data to drive decisions. This will demonstrate your commercial rigour and ability to deliver results.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

Descarte values collaboration, so be sure to share examples of how you've worked effectively within teams. Discuss how you've partnered with marketing, solution consulting, or other departments to achieve common goals. This will show that you're not just a lone wolf but a team player who can contribute to their culture.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>