Account Manager

Account Manager – Bedford (Hybrid) – Up to £56,000 (DOE)
Role Overview:
The Account Manager will oversee client accounts, ensuring the seamless delivery of commercial objectives, operational support, and service standards. Acting as the primary liaison between the business and its clients, this role is pivotal in shaping and implementing tailored customer strategies, fostering account growth, managing associated risks, and promoting smooth operations.
This position demands a blend of relationship management, sales oversight, operational coordination, and strategic acumen, with a clear focus on driving customer satisfaction, retention, and long-term partnerships.

Key Duties & Responsibilities
Client Relationship & Strategic Development

• Collaborate with the Business Development team to define and execute client-specific strategies.
• Cultivate strong internal networks within client organizations across departments and seniority levels.
• Align client expectations with company capabilities, ensuring transparency and realistic outcomes.
• Serve as the day-to-day contact for clients, managing ongoing communication and relationships.

Commercial Management & Sales Delivery

• Maintain an up-to-date and accurate sales forecast, considering both short-term and long-range horizons.
• Ensure forecasts reflect precise margin calculations and resource availability.
• Identify and promote additional service opportunities within the client portfolio.
• Manage request-for-quote (RFQ) processes and quotations in collaboration with the commercial team, ensuring timely and accurate proposals.
• Monitor sales progress and performance within designated accounts.
• Update and maintain client strategy documentation, reporting key insights to leadership.

Contract Administration & Order Fulfilment

• Lead contract reviews and ensure adherence to internal procedures and quality standards.
• Oversee the customer order book and chair periodic OPOR (Order Progress & Order Readiness) reviews.
• Conduct regular reviews of live orders and client schedules to ensure timely fulfilment and data accuracy.

Operational Support & Collaboration

• Participate in production planning sessions, offering client-specific insights to guide scheduling.
• Coordinate closely with departments such as Production, Engineering, Materials, and Quality Assurance to ensure alignment with client delivery timelines.
• Proactively identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Engage with project/program management teams during production readiness reviews where necessary.

Customer Support & Continuous Development

• Manage and resolve client queries efficiently, ensuring clear communication and timely resolution.
• Champion continuous improvement efforts, including quality feedback loops and performance initiatives (e.g., SPL, YIT, CAR, CSIP).
• Plan and host client review meetings such as Quarterly and Strategic Business Reviews, including preparation of agendas, recording minutes, and tracking follow-up actions.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Generate and present monthly performance dashboards and reports to senior management.
• Maintain data accuracy across business systems and reporting platforms.
• Regularly review client KPIs and ensure they are tracked and updated.
• Log, monitor, and resolve client issues while ensuring improvement plans are implemented.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated experience in account or project management roles, ideally within the manufacturing or electronics sectors.
• Exceptional planning, organizational, and time management abilities.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly in managing forecasts, client data, and operational reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with an ability to work cross-functionally.
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Proficient in using ERP and business management tools.
• Knowledge of production processes and quality systems is an advantage.