What are the responsibilities and job description for the Key Account Manager position at Altius Talent | Freight Forwarding Recruitment?
Key Account Manager - Ocean Freight Forwarding
Miami, Florida
Salary: $75,000
Altius Talent is partnering with an established international freight forwarder that is looking to appoint an experienced Key Account Manager to support and develop key ocean freight customers from its Miami operation.
This is an operations-focused account management role, not a new business sales position. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing customer relationships, overseeing service delivery, coordinating internally with operations, and ensuring key accounts receive a high level of communication, accuracy, and reliability.
The business is looking for someone who understands ocean freight forwarding inside out and can act as the main point of contact for important customers, ensuring shipments move smoothly and any issues are dealt with quickly and professionally.
The Role
As Key Account Manager, you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of ocean freight accounts, working closely with customers, carriers, overseas agents, internal operations teams, and management.
You will be expected to understand each customer’s shipping requirements, monitor service performance, handle escalations, and ensure that operational delivery matches customer expectations.
This role would suit someone from an ocean import, ocean export, customer service, or operations background who enjoys dealing directly with customers and taking ownership of account performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day relationships with key ocean freight customers.
- Act as the main operational contact for assigned accounts.
- Oversee ocean import and/or export shipments to ensure smooth service delivery.
- Coordinate with internal operations teams, carriers, truckers, customs brokers, and overseas agents.
- Monitor shipment progress, resolve issues, and provide proactive customer updates.
- Handle customer queries, escalations, and service-related concerns.
- Review account performance and identify areas for service improvement.
- Support rate requests, quotes, and customer reporting where required.
- Ensure accurate documentation, system updates, and communication throughout the shipment lifecycle.
- Build strong relationships with customers to protect and grow existing business.
- Work closely with management to ensure key accounts are retained and properly supported.
What We Are Looking For
- Experience within ocean freight forwarding.
- Strong operational understanding of ocean import and/or export processes.
- Previous experience managing key accounts or high-value customers would be highly beneficial.
- Excellent customer service and communication skills.
- Ability to manage escalations calmly and professionally.
- Strong attention to detail and confidence handling shipment documentation.
- Comfortable working with internal operations teams, external vendors, and international partners.
- Commercial awareness, with the ability to support customer retention and account growth.
- Experience using CargoWise would be advantageous.
- Based in or within commuting distance of Miami, Florida.
What’s on Offer
- Salary of $75,000.
- Miami based role.
- Opportunity to manage key ocean freight accounts.
- Established freight forwarding environment.
- Operations-led role with direct customer ownership.
- Supportive internal operations and leadership team.
- Long-term career opportunity within international freight forwarding.
Salary : $72,000 - $80,000