“Key Account Manager (Chemicals)”

Korn Ferry; Zürich; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry in Switzerland seeks a Key Account Manager (Chemicals) to drive strategic growth of key customer relationships and identify new business opportunities.

Based near Zurich, you will collaborate with Sales, Marketing and international teams to support commercial growth, negotiate agreements and develop plans for strategic customers, while maintaining a strong network with senior decision-makers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, sales or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Business Development, KAM, Sales or Marketing.
• Proven experience negotiating with major customers at senior management level.
• Strong strategic and commercial mindset.
• Experience in automotive aftermarket/aftersales is an advantage.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, strong negotiation skills and customer focus.
• Confident communicator with ability to build long-term networks.
• Very good German and French, fluent English; Italian is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Strategically manage and develop national key accounts
• Build strong, long-term relationships with senior management and key decision-makers
• Identify and develop new business opportunities
• Develop and implement key account and business development strategies
• Negotiate and conclude commercial agreements
• Develop individual business plans for strategic key customers
• Monitor market, customer and competitor developments
• Coordinate key customer projects with internal and international stakeholders
• Monitor revenue development and profitability of assigned accounts

Skills

Key account management

Business development

Negotiation

Strategic mindset

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in business

Job description

Join our client as a Key Account Manager (Chemicals) (m/f/d) and shape the future of customer success in the chemical industry.

Reporting directly to the Country Manager Switzerland, this position is based near Zurich. Our client, a well-established and highly respected company, is seeking an experienced professional to drive the strategic growth of key customer relationships and identify new business opportunities. In this role, you will collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, and international teams to support commercial growth and strengthen strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategically manage and develop national key accounts
• Build strong, long-term relationships with senior management and key decision-makers
• Identify and develop new business opportunities
• Develop and implement key account and business development strategies
• Negotiate and conclude commercial agreements
• Develop individual business plans for strategic key customers
• Monitor market, customer and competitor developments
• Coordinate key customer projects with internal and international stakeholders
• Monitor revenue development and profitability of assigned accounts

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Marketing, Sales or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in Business Development, Key Account Management, Sales or Marketing
• Proven experience negotiating with major customers at senior management level
• Strong strategic and commercial mindset
• Experience in the automotive aftermarket/aftersales sector is an advantage
• Entrepreneurial mindset, strong negotiation skills and customer focus
• Confident communicator with the ability to build and maintain long-term professional networks
• Very good German and French, with fluent English. Italian is an advantage

What Sets You Apart

You combine strategic thinking with strong commercial execution, identify new business opportunities and know how to build sustainable relationships with demanding customers and senior decision-makers.