Account Manager in Congleton

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Company Description

Based in Congleton, Cheshire, Senior Bird Bellows was established in 1975 as a family run operation serving the petro-chemical and gas industries. Since then, we have evolved to become one of the industry leaders in the design, development and manufacture of pressure duct systems, flexible joints and insulation for highly regulated industries. We have established customers in aerospace (both civil and military), as well as in the nuclear, oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

Job Description

Behaviours and Objectives

• To directly achieve: up-sell/x-sell revenue and margin, RFP/quote conversion rate, retention rate and customer satisfaction targets, as agreed with your manager.
• To directly support: regular customer meetings, quote numbers and customer onboarding targets, as agreed with your manager.
• To proactively manage your own calendar for internal meetings and customer meetings.
• To represent the business professionally at virtual and face-to-face customer meetings, trade shows, factory tours and other customer-related meetings.
• To manage the onboarding of new accounts from the appropriate sales manager.
• To be highly motivated, drive high performance and be accountable for your own activities.
• To develop your own skills towards a first-class consultative solution selling model.
• To liaise with other functions to support the overall growth agenda of Senior Plc.
• To reflect on and share learnings for any lost opportunities for continuous improvement.
• To break down barriers and highlight challenges to overcome to your manager.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Create a pipeline of up-sell/x-sell opportunities over the short, medium and long-term to support achievement of account growth targets.
• Grow your key accounts, both virtually and via face-to-face meetings, to ensure up-sell/x-sell targets are achieved and can be maintained.
• Report weekly on pipeline forecast, quotes received/sent and CRM record-keeping.
• Report monthly on up-sell/x-sell activities, including upcoming, in progress, won and lost bids/tenders/RFPs, in collaboration with the appropriate sales manager when applicable.
• Report quarterly on plans, progress on customer experience and growth opportunities, supported by appropriate customer and industry research, for each of your key accounts.
• Regular arranging and daily documenting (via the CRM module of the ERP system) customer calls, meetings, follow-up dates/times, quotes, updates, notes from conversations etc.
• Leverage your consultative solution selling toolkit to identify customer needs and develop new and enhanced propositions, via communication and collaboration with other internal department stakeholders, to meet current and future customer needs.
• Proactively and regularly communicate during quotes, RFPs, tenders and onboarding.
• Manage communication following new customer onboarding, in collaboration with the appropriate sales manager, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Support a professional, signed-off handover from the appropriate sales manager for all new business acquisition accounts transferring into account management.
• Prepare a weekly summary of activities, issues, progress since last time and updates on actions.
• Prepare a summary of call/meeting statistics and post-visit reports on request.

Associated Responsibilities

• Provide input to objectives, target setting, reporting of pipeline and the sales funnel, systems development and other related account management organisation.
• Own, develop and maintain your applicable account handling procedures for key accounts.
• Maintain a high standard of Health and Safety based upon safe working practices.
• Support environmental initiatives where appropriate.
• Ensure that all work activities and records comply with Company Policies, Processes, Procedures, Values and Codes of Practice.
• Active involvement in continuous improvement, helping to remove barriers to account growth and customer experience.
• Prepare to update the Managing Director on your progress, performance and plans.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in Business, Engineering, Sales, or related discipline.
• Proven experience in account management, business development, or sales - ideally in aerospace, engineering, or industrial sectors.
• Strong understanding of customer relationship management (CRM) systems and structured sales processes.
• Valid UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites and trade shows.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Relationship Management: Skilled at developing long-term customer partnerships and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Consultative Solution Selling: Ability to identify customer needs and develop tailored solutions that add value.
• Commercial Acumen: Understanding of revenue, margin, and growth targets with experience in up-sell and cross-sell strategies.
• Communication & Presentation: Confident and professional in virtual and face-to-face meetings, proposals, and presentations.
• Planning & Organisation: Strong time management and self-motivation to manage multiple key accounts independently.
• Reporting & Analysis: Competent in preparing sales forecasts, performance summaries, and pipeline reports.
• Collaboration: Effective working across internal departments (engineering, operations, commercial) to deliver customer-focused outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Eager to learn, adapt, and contribute to process improvements that enhance customer experience and account growth.
• Risk based thinking, process approach Problem‑solving mindset - proactive in identifying barriers and proposing solutions.

Additional Information

We offer a supportive and rewarding work environment that values your wellbeing and work-life balance. Enjoy the benefits of a 4-day working week, giving you more time for what matters most. We also provide an excellent pension scheme, life assurance, and access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Our team regularly takes part in social and wellbeing events, helping you stay connected, supported, and engaged both in and outside of work.