What are the responsibilities and job description for the Account Manager position at I K I MANUFACTURING?
IKI is looking to add an Account Manager to our growing team! We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about fostering strong client partnerships and supporting our team and clients in their success. This role requires a hands-on approach to managing client relationships while collaborating closely with our team to ensure success for both our clients and our organization. The successful candidate must be available to work onsite, with occasional remote work opportunities.
Summary: The Account Manager is a proactive and detail-oriented person who can manage client relationships and ensure the seamless execution of customer orders in our fast-paced 3rd party Contract aerosol-filling environment. This role requires strong communication skills, technical awareness, and the ability to manage multiple clients’ demands while ensuring accuracy in product specifications, inventory management and production reporting.
Essential Functions:
- Client Relationship Management
- Serve as primary point of contact for assigned clients, acting as their advocate within the organization.
- Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with clients, particularly those with complex needs and high expectations.
- Proactively manage customer inquiries, concerns and requests, ensuring timely and effective communication.
- Encourage clients to actively utilize the company’s client portal, which provides real-time access to dashboards displaying production dates, inventory levels and order status. Provide guidance and training as needed to ensure clients maximize the portals benefits.
- Order and Production Management
- Enter customer-submitted purchase orders accurately and promptly into ERP system (SAP B1) ensuring all product details, pricing, and delivery dates are correct.
- Monitor open orders to ensure timely production and delivery in alignment with client forecasts and production schedules.
- Work with production planning, purchasing and logistics teams to track order progress and resolve delays.
- Communicate daily production updates to clients, addressing any changes or issues that arise.
- Specification & Artwork Management
- Maintain accurate records of each client’s product specification, including formulation details, packaging requirements, and any labeling.
- Collaborate with clients and internal teams to manage artwork updates for carton designs, lithography changes for cans, ensuring changes are communicated and implemented accurately.
- Ensure production planning is informed of specification changes to avoid errors.
- Inventory Management
- Monitor client-specific inventory, including raw materials, components and finished goods.
- Proactively manage no-demand inventory, working with clients to determine appropriate actions when product changes lead to obsolete materials.
- Coordinate with procurement to minimize excess inventory tied to client driven changes.
- Reporting & Documentation
- Generate and distribute open order reports, keeping clients informed of their order status.
- Maintain detailed records of client communications, product specifications, and change request.
- Support the finance team by ensuring order changes are accurately reflected for billing and reconciliation purposes.
Key Skills & Qualifications:
Proven experience in account management, customer service, or sales support within a manufacturing environment; experience in contract manufacturing or chemical manufacturing is a plus.
- Strong organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively manage tasks using digital tools and technology.
- Experience with digital organizational tools to track client activities, deadlines and priorities.
- Detail-oriented with excellent follow-through on client requests and internal communications.
- Ability to interpret technical specifications, artwork files, and production schedules.
- Strong problem – solving skills and the ability to manage challenging client situations.
- Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP B1 preferred) and Microsoft Office Tools.
Success Factors:
- Ability to maintain composure when working with demanding clients.
- Proactive mindset, anticipating client needs and addressing potential issues before they arise.
- Strong collaboration skills, working effectively with internal teams to resolve production, inventory, or specification concerns.
Work Environment:
- This is an office-based role; occasional visits to the production floor, overall, a fast-paced environment that requires frequent multitasking and strong time management skills. Ideal for someone who thrives in a structured yet dynamic setting, enjoys problem solving, and can effectively manage high volumes of information.
Hours:
- M-F, approximately 45 hours per week
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management or a related field preferred; equivalent experience in a manufacturing or customer- facing role may be considered in place of a degree.
- 2-5 year of experience in Account Management, customer service, or sales support within a manufacturing environment.
Other: Equal Opportunity Employer
- This job description is a summary and does not detail a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.