At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key customer accounts and drive business growth through strong relationships.
- Company: Respected manufacturing organisation with a collaborative team culture.
- Benefits: Up to £53k salary, performance bonuses, generous leave, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in account management.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing customer accounts and strong commercial awareness required.
Location: Exeter (Hybrid)
Salary: Up to £53k
Yolk Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-established and highly respected manufacturing organisation in their search for an experienced Key Account Manager to join their team in Exeter. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused account management professional who enjoys building strong customer relationships while working closely with internal engineering, manufacturing, quality and commercial teams.
You will take ownership of a portfolio of key customer accounts, acting as the main point of contact for day-to-day commercial and operational matters. The role combines account management, commercial planning, forecasting, customer relationship management and business development, making it well suited to someone who enjoys both the strategic and operational sides of customer management.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and develop relationships across a portfolio of key customer accounts, identifying opportunities for new business and account growth.
- Research customer requirements and market intelligence to identify opportunities for generating new business.
- Produce short- and long-term forecasts to support production planning, capacity utilisation and inventory management.
- Work closely with internal departments to ensure compliance with credit control, export controls, HMRC requirements and company procedures.
- Act as the key point of contact for customers regarding quotations, delivery commitments, cost reduction initiatives, audits, testing requirements and certifications.
- Prepare commercial information to support long-term contracts, complex quotations, budgets, capacity planning and monthly forecasts.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure customer requirements are understood and delivered effectively.
- Conduct regular account reviews with customers and internal stakeholders, including Plant Management, Engineering, Quality, NPI and Sales.
- Maintain accurate customer demand and order information on a weekly basis.
- Prepare quotations for new and existing products, working closely with Engineering, Quality and NPI teams.
- Provide customers with regular updates regarding orders, deliveries and operational matters.
- Prepare and deliver Quarterly Business Review presentations.
- Conduct weekly accounts receivable reviews and liaise with the Corporate Credit team.
- Maintain accurate expedite reports and update internal systems to reflect changes.
- Ensure appropriate export control diligence is completed.
- Participate in financial and quality audits.
- Ensure credit control procedures and contract reviews are completed appropriately for order acceptance.
About You
The successful candidate will have experience managing significant customer accounts or portfolios and will be commercially minded, organised and confident working across multiple internal functions. You will be comfortable dealing with both immediate operational issues and longer-term commercial objectives, with the ability to build strong professional relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
Ideally, you will have:
- Previous experience managing large customer accounts or portfolios.
- Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of account development.
- Experience working within a manufacturing environment would be beneficial.
- Strong organisational and time-management abilities.
- Good knowledge of import/export controls.
- The ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Strong attention to detail and a high level of integrity.
- The ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks.
- Sufficient technical understanding to interpret customer requirements and appreciate internal manufacturing capabilities and limitations.
- The ability to build effective relationships across engineering, quality, manufacturing, commercial and other functions.
- A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a wider team.
What's on Offer
- Basic salary up to £53k
- Annual site performance bonus of approximately 5%.
- Annual salary reviews.
- Employer pension contributions of up to 10%.
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Additional Christmas shutdown, which is not deducted from annual leave.
Key Account Manager in Exeter employer: Yolk Recruitment
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Account Manager in Exeter
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Key Account Manager at Yolk Recruitment, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Yolk Recruitment. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Key Account Manager. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Key Account Manager in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Yolk Recruitment:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Yolk Recruitment. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Yolk Recruitment
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Yolk Recruitment that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Yolk Recruitment that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Yolk Recruitment’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
