Can you give us an overview of your week?
I look after sales for nine postcodes covering the East Midlands area. Ideally, I aim to spend 4 days a week on the road (a day in each postcode) and one day in the office preparing and chasing quotes for customers, general administration and proactively developing the area. Visiting customers in person is vital in maintaining good working relationships with our existing customers, as well as building up new sales contacts. It also gives a first-hand opportunity to ensure our customers are happy and to spot any issues or potential competition.
What do you like most about your job?
I love the diversity of the role and the challenges that arise - every day is different. It’s great to be involved in the whole process from the groundwork of negotiating a contract, through to securing a sale and after-sales support.
What is your main motivation?
It is very important to me to uphold my reputation and integrity and I always ensure I offer the highest level of customer care. Sales results are measured and watching contracts grow as a result of hard work is a great source of motivation.
What do you find most challenging and rewarding about your job?
I find that the biggest challenges of my job often bring about the best rewards. Out on the road can be quite isolated, but with great office-based support I know I can rely on both the internal sales team and other departments within the Finnforest infrastructure for back up, which is something I really appreciate. Competition can often prove tough as can the introduction of new products. However, it can also be very exciting working closely with customers to maintain and introduce additional accounts, as well as bring new customers on board. I also co-present the Timber Academy training course which I really enjoy. It’s great to receive feedback from students who have enjoyed the course and to know that the effort I’ve put in has been an investment into their development.
What are your hobbies out of work?
Being out on the road so much, I really appreciate spending time relaxing and catching up with my friends and family. I also try to run and cycle 3 times a week. As well as keeping me fit, once motivated to get out there I find it really helps me to unwind.
Manager’s comments:
The role of a Key Account Manager requires a diverse skill base, majoring on the ability to form successful working relationships with customers where they understand the levels of service Finnforest offer, and are then willing to pay a reasonable price for their timber products in return. Gina is a good example of these skills being put into practice, which is now being demonstrated in the positive returns being made in her geographical area.