Key Account Executive

Role: Key Account Executive

Location: Preston PR1

Hours: Mon – Fri 8am to 5 pm, 1 hour lunch

Salary: £28,009.80 per annum

The role:

Due to internal promotions within our Service team, we're looking for a Key Account Executive to join us and continue delivering an exceptional service to our customers.

Are you a confident and organised individual with a passion for delivering outstanding customer service and building strong, lasting relationships? This could be the opportunity for you.

As a Key Account Executive, you'll play an important role in supporting and developing some of our key customer accounts, acting as a first point of contact and ensuring they receive a consistently high level of service and support.

You'll also work closely with colleagues across the business and our nationwide supply chain, coordinating activity to ensure we deliver seamless, responsive and effective solutions for our customers.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful team, take ownership of key customer relationships and develop your career within a growing business where internal progression is actively encouraged.

The business:

Recycling Lives Services is not a typical recycling company. Since 2008, the business has been structurally built around social value, employing people from disadvantaged backgrounds, partnering with the justice system to reduce reoffending, and delivering environmental excellence at scale. The social mission is not a layer added on top of commercial activity. It is the reason the business operates in the way it does.

As a certified B Corp (scoring 103.5 against a business median of 50.9), Recycling Lives Services generated £42.9m in social value in 2024, achieved a 61% reduction in CO2 emissions, and diverted 97% of waste from landfill. 15% of our team have been welcomed through our rehabilitation programmes, and only 6% of people we support reoffend — compared to a national average of over 25%.

We operate UK-wide across construction, manufacturing, retail, utilities and public sector markets, offering total waste management, WEEE recycling, and specialist hazardous waste services.

Our PACE values underpin how we work and the culture we are building across the business: Passion – we care about what we do; Accountability – we take responsibility; Collaboration – we work together respectfully; and Excellence – we aim high. We look for people who share these values and want to make a positive contribution to our business, our customers and the communities we support.

Key responsibilities:

• Customer Engagement: Act as the first point of contact for our key accounts, providing accurate information and ensuring a positive experience.
• Supply Chain Coordination: Liaise directly with our nationwide supply chain to ensure services are delivered efficiently and meet customer expectations.
• Order Processing: Assist our customers with placing orders and ensure smooth service delivery through effective coordination.
• Complaint Resolution: Handle and resolve customer complaints promptly and professionally, addressing service issues in a timely manner.
• Sales Support: Identify opportunities to meet customer needs by promoting additional services and solutions across our key accounts.
• Administrative Support: Maintain up-to-date records in the CRM system and provide administrative support across the team and wider business.
• Customer Service Excellence: Deliver professional communication via phone and email to exceed customer expectations.
• Account Management: Support customer retention efforts and contribute to the growth of existing accounts by promoting the full range of services we offer.

Why join us?

This role offers exciting opportunities for professional growth, with potential career paths in sales, account management, and procurement, tailored to your interests and goals. If you’re ready to make an impact and grow with us, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to join a forward-thinking team where your contributions will be valued and your career aspirations supported.

Who you are:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a customer service or sales role
• Strong IT skills and proficiency with CRM systems.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.· A team player who thrives on individual initiative.
• Professional experience communicating with customers via phone and email.
• Excellent attention to detail and a systematic approach to work.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a B2B environment.
• Experience or knowledge of the waste management industry is a plus.

The benefits:

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• The opportunity to work for a certified B Corp making a genuine social and environmental impact.
• Company pension (5% employee / 3% employer).
• Employee Assistance Programme including free financial wellbeing support
• Healthcare Cash Plan.*
• Cycle to Work Scheme.*
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.*
• Modern office facilities
• Free fruit boxes
• Free onsite parking

*Employees become eligible after 12 months service.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.