At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic customer service team and enhance the customer journey.
- Company: Join a supportive and collaborative business with a focus on accountability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20 days holiday, pension contributions, and opportunities for overtime.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with a friendly, down-to-earth culture.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting improvement projects and make a real impact in customer service.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service management and strong people skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Customer Services Manager to lead a small customer service team while playing a hands-on role in the day-to-day operation. This is a visible, interactive role where you will work across both the office and warehouse environments, ensuring a smooth customer journey from initial enquiry through to goods dispatch.
You will manage a team of three customer service professionals, support their development, allocate workloads and drive improvements in service levels, turnaround times and customer experience. The business has a supportive, relaxed and collaborative culture, but there is also a clear focus on accountability, responsiveness and getting the work done well.
About the Role
This is an exciting time to join the business, with several planned improvement projects across customer service and operations. You will help learn, support and implement a new CRM system, which will link into a new Warehouse Management System, while also helping to enhance the ticketing system to improve customer response times and overall service experience.
You will form part of the wider management team, attending meetings, sharing feedback from the customer service function and taking direction from senior leaders to implement within your team. This role would suit someone who can manage change by leading from the front, balancing team oversight with a willingness to be actively involved in the work itself.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and develop a team of one full-time and two part-time Customer Service Representatives.
- Set team objectives, service level expectations and customer satisfaction targets.
- Monitor workloads, manage productivity and allocate tasks effectively across the team.
- Drive improvements in SLA performance, customer response times and overall turnaround from enquiry to dispatch.
- Act as an escalation point for customer queries, issues and more complex service matters.
- Observe current processes, identify opportunities for improvement and implement practical efficiencies.
- Manage team holidays and ensure appropriate departmental cover.
- Work closely with warehouse, dispatch and logistics colleagues to ensure customer commitments are met.
- Attend management meetings, share insight and implement agreed actions within the team.
Who We Are Looking For
- Our ideal person will come from a goods/sales related customer service environment where warehousing, dispatch and logistics are part of the customer experience.
- You will understand the importance of managing customer expectations, service agreements and turnaround times from initial enquiry through to goods being dispatched.
- Previous experience managing or supervising a customer service or customer operations team.
- Experience within a goods-based business, ideally with an on-site warehouse or dispatch function.
- A good understanding of customer service, order fulfilment, logistics coordination and operational follow-through.
- Strong people skills, with a flexible communication style that works well with different personalities.
- Confidence managing change, introducing new processes and bringing people with you.
- Intuitive systems skills, including the ability to learn new CRM, ticketing and operational platforms quickly.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, allocate work and monitor performance.
- A hands-on, visible and practical management style.
- A continuous improvement mindset, with the confidence to observe, question and improve ways of working.
Culture and Environment
The business offers a supportive, down-to-earth and relaxed working culture. It is a friendly environment where teamwork matters, but where customer service standards, deadlines and follow-through are taken seriously.
This role will involve regular interaction across the office and warehouse, so it would suit someone who enjoys variety, movement and being close to the operational detail rather than being desk-bound all day.
Benefits
- 20 days holiday plus Bank Holidays.
- Statutory pension contributions.
- On-site parking.
- On-site staff breakout room and kitchen area to relax away from the desk.
- Overtime opportunities during peak trading periods, including Christmas and Black Friday weekends.
- Opportunity to play a key role in customer service and operational improvement projects.
Working Pattern and Start Date
The role is primarily Monday to Friday, working core office hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm. There may be overtime opportunities during busy seasonal periods. The aim is for the successful person to start in September.
Please be aware this advert will remain open until the vacancy has been filled. Interviews will take place throughout this period, therefore we encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment.
Customer Service Manager in Stevenage employer: Tate
Tate in Uxbridge is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where your passion for art can thrive alongside your professional growth. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on impactful audience insights, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team while shaping strategies that resonate globally. Enjoy a supportive environment that values creativity and encourages continuous learning, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Manager in Stevenage
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Tate. 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 Tate 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 Stevenage
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 Tate:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Tate 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 Tate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tate
✨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.