At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead customer service operations and manage key B2B relationships in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Rapidly growing food manufacturing business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and clear progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a thriving industry.
- Why this job: Shape the future of customer service while driving business growth and delivering exceptional results.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service or project management, strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
A rapidly growing food manufacturing business is looking to appoint a Customer Service Manager to join its Commercial team. This is a newly created role designed to support the next phase of the business's growth. Reporting directly to the Head of Commercial, you will become the operational lead for customer service, taking ownership of key customer relationships, managing escalations, and ensuring projects are delivered smoothly from brief through to completion.
Working closely with Commercial, Planning, Production, Procurement and Supply Chain, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating customer activity, keeping projects on track, and ensuring customers receive clear, proactive communication in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will coach and support Account Managers, act as the first point of contact for customer issues and become the trusted person the Head of Commercial can confidently hand operational responsibility over to as the business continues to scale.
What You'll Be Doing
- Act as the primary point of escalation for customer enquiries, issues and operational challenges
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key B2B customers through proactive communication and excellent service
- Coordinate customer projects, including new product launches, ensuring timelines remain on track
- Work closely with Planning, Production, Supply Chain and Procurement to manage customer expectations and resolve operational challenges
- Manage changing priorities, delivery schedules and customer communications in a fast-moving manufacturing environment
- Manage and coach Account Managers, helping to develop capability and confidence across the team
- Support the continued development of customer service standards as the business grows.
What's In It for You
- A newly created role with strong influence over the future of the customer service function
- The opportunity to work closely with the Head of Commercial and play a key role in the next phase of business growth
- Clear progression opportunities as the commercial team continues to expand
- Lead and develop a team of Account Managers
- Exposure to major B2B customers, new product launches and cross-functional business project.
Your Background
- Experience within Customer Service, Customer Care, Customer Operations, Project Management or Account Management
- Experience working within food manufacturing, managing B2B customers
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
- Comfortable coordinating multiple customer projects simultaneously
- Experience working cross-functionally with operational teams including Planning, Production and Supply Chain
- A hands-on team leader who enjoys supporting others while remaining actively involved in the day-to-day operation.
This is an opportunity to join an ambitious and fast-growing manufacturing business at an exciting stage of its journey. You'll play a key role in shaping the customer service function, supporting the development of the commercial team, and helping the business continue to grow while delivering exceptional service to its customers. If you enjoy building trusted customer relationships, leading by example, and working collaboratively across multiple departments to deliver outstanding results, we would love to hear from you.
Customer Service Manager in Maidstone employer: Found Food & Drink
Join a dynamic and rapidly growing food manufacturing business that values its employees and fosters a collaborative work culture. As a Customer Service Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the customer service function while enjoying clear progression opportunities and the chance to lead a team of Account Managers. With a focus on employee development and a supportive environment, this role offers a meaningful career path in a fast-paced industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Manager in Maidstone
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Found Food & Drink. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Found Food & Drink before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Manager in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Found Food & Drink:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Found Food & Drink specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Found Food & Drink!
How to prepare for a job interview at Found Food & Drink
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.
