The posting
Job Title – Assistant Manager – Key Clients (Sales)
Location: Dubai, UAE
About the Role
We are seeking a commercially driven and customer-focused Assistant Manager – Key Clients (Sales) to manage and develop strategic customer relationships within the shipping and logistics industry. The role will focus on managing key accounts, driving revenue growth, identifying new business opportunities, and strengthening customer retention through effective sales strategies and service coordination.
The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of the shipping and container liner business, experience in key account management, and the ability to build long-term relationships with major customers while achieving commercial targets.
Key Responsibilities
Key Account Management
- Manage and develop relationships with assigned key clients to ensure customer satisfaction, retention, and long-term business growth.
- Act as the primary point of contact for key accounts, addressing customer requirements and coordinating with internal departments to resolve issues.
- Understand customers' shipping requirements, trade routes, cargo volumes, service expectations, and business priorities.
- Conduct regular client meetings and business reviews to assess performance, identify concerns, and explore opportunities for improvement.
- Develop account management plans to strengthen existing relationships and increase the share of business from key customers.
- Ensure timely communication of service updates, operational changes, and relevant commercial information.
Sales & Revenue Growth
- Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve assigned revenue, volume, and profitability targets.
- Identify opportunities to expand business with existing accounts and acquire new strategic customers.
- Promote shipping services, trade solutions, and relevant value-added offerings based on customer requirements.
- Prepare commercial proposals, quotations, rate agreements, and sales presentations in coordination with relevant teams.
- Negotiate rates, service terms, and commercial agreements while maintaining target margins and business profitability.
- Monitor sales performance and implement action plans to address gaps against agreed targets.
Business Development & Market Intelligence
- Identify potential customers, emerging trade opportunities, and new business segments within the assigned market.
- Monitor market developments, competitor activities, freight trends, and customer buying patterns.
- Build and maintain a strong sales pipeline through networking, customer referrals, industry contacts, and market research.
- Develop an understanding of regional and international trade lanes to identify opportunities for business expansion.
- Provide market feedback and customer insights to support commercial planning and service development.
Customer Service & Internal Coordination
- Coordinate with operations, customer service, documentation, pricing, equipment, and other internal teams to ensure smooth service delivery.
- Monitor customer shipments and proactively follow up on delays, operational challenges, and service-related concerns.
- Ensure customer complaints and escalations are addressed promptly and effectively.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to maintain service standards and deliver solutions aligned with customer expectations.
- Track customer satisfaction and identify opportunities to improve the overall customer experience.
Commercial Management & Reporting
- Monitor account profitability, sales performance, revenue contribution, and customer volume trends.
- Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, sales activities, quotations, rate agreements, and business opportunities.
- Prepare regular sales reports, account reviews, forecasts, and pipeline updates for management.
- Ensure commercial agreements and customer commitments are properly documented and followed up.
- Support credit control activities by coordinating with relevant teams on outstanding payments and customer account concerns.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- 5–8 years of experience in sales, key account management, or business development within the shipping, container liner, freight forwarding, or logistics industry.
- Strong experience managing large accounts and developing relationships with corporate customers.
- Good understanding of container shipping operations, international trade, freight markets, and commercial shipping practices.
- Proven ability to achieve sales targets, negotiate commercial agreements, and grow customer accounts.
- Experience preparing quotations, rate proposals, commercial contracts, and sales reports.
- Proficiency in MS Office and CRM systems.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills in English; additional languages will be an advantage.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strategic account management and relationship-building skills.
- Strong sales, negotiation, and business development capabilities.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of revenue and profitability drivers.
- Customer-focused approach with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple key accounts and competing priorities.
- Strong analytical, presentation, and reporting skills.
- Proactive mindset with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Results-oriented approach with a focus on sustainable business growth.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to manage strategic customer accounts within the shipping and logistics industry.
- Exposure to international trade and global shipping markets.
- A professional and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for career development and growth.
Apply now!
