Key Account Manager

Givaudan; Hamburg; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Pension

Yearly bonus

Progressive learning & development

Creative team environment

Job summary

Givaudan in Germany seeks a Key Account Manager to drive profitable sales across the German Area by strengthening relationships with Local and Regional customers. You will support the commercial strategy through account management, customer engagement, and fragrance project leadership.

The role can be based in Hamburg or Baierbrunn, reporting to the Sales Director, Local & Regional Germany. You will collaborate with Development, Marketing, Evaluation, and Commercial teams to deliver customer

Qualifications

• Commercial qualification or university degree.
• Fluent English and German is an advantage.
• 3–5 years of professional experience in fragrance, FMCG, or related commercial environments.
• Strong project management and cross‑functional coordination skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship‑building abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned customer accounts to achieve sales and profitability targets.
• Collaborate with Area Sales Director and other KAMs on account plans.
• Build and maintain long‑term customer relationships across the German Area.
• Lead fragrance project development from briefing to commercialization.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams and drive customer engagements and proposals.
• Negotiate pricing and commercial terms to optimize margin.

Skills

Fluent English

German language

Account management

Project coordination

Sales leadership

Education

Commercial qualification

University degree

Job description

Join us and celebrate the beauty of human experience. Create for happier, healthier lives, with love for nature. Together, with passion and creativity, we deliver food innovations, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions. There’s much to learn and many to learn from, with more than 17,000 employees around the world to explore ideas and ambitions with. Every day, your talent, your innovative spirit, and your determination will shape our future, making a positive difference on billions of people. Every essence of you enriches our world. We are Givaudan. Human by nature.

Key Account Manager - Your future position?

As a Key Account Manager, you will drive profitable sales and business growth across the German Area by developing and strengthening relationships with Local and Regional customers. You will support the execution of Givaudan's commercial strategy through effective account management, customer engagement, and fragrance project leadership. Acting as the key commercial interface between customers, internal functions, and local business partners, you will contribute to maximizing customer satisfaction, business growth, and profitability.

This position can be based at our Hamburg or Baierbrunn site in Germany and reports to our Sales Director, Local & Regional Germany.

In This Exciting Role, You Will

Business Development and Account Management

• Contribute to profitable business growth across the German Area by managing assigned customer accounts and ensuring achievement of sales and profitability objectives.
• Work closely with the Area Sales Director and the Key Account Managers to define, implement, and execute customer strategies and account plans.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen long-term relationships with key decision-makers, positioning Givaudan as the preferred fragrance partner and supplier.
• Identify and convert market, consumer, and customer-driven business opportunities into commercial growth.
• Drive both business retention and new business development through proactive account management and strategic customer engagement.
• Monitor account performance, sales targets, budgets, forecasts, and business opportunities to ensure sustainable growth.

Project Management

• Manage fragrance development projects from briefing through commercialization in close collaboration with Development, Marketing, Evaluation, and Commercial teams.
• Coordinate internal resources and project activities to ensure timely delivery of customer solutions.
• Drive presentations, project discussions, and customer engagements to support project progression and business conversion.
• Identify emerging consumer trends and market developments and translate them into business opportunities for customer brands and key product categories.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build and maintain winning relationships with customers across the German Area through regular visits, presentations, and strategic discussions.
• Lead customer meetings and presentations, ensuring alignment between customer expectations and Givaudan capabilities.
• Act as the primary commercial contact for assigned customers, ensuring efficient communication and responsiveness.
• Support customers in developing successful fragrance strategies and brand initiatives.

Pricing and Profitability Management

• Develop pricing recommendations and margin strategies in alignment with the Area Sales Director and global pricing guidelines.
• Negotiate agreements within approved authority levels while maximizing project and portfolio profitability.
• Manage pricing, rebates, budgets, forecasts, and commercial conditions to ensure profitable growth.
• Monitor commercial performance and proactively identify opportunities for margin optimization.

Administrative and Management Support

• Prepare customer presentations, commercial reviews, market analyses, and management reports.
• Conduct SWOT analyses of customers and markets to support business planning and strategic decision-making.
• Organize customer meetings, visits, and business trips.
• Provide commercial support for regional and local customers in cooperation with the Local & Regional Sales team and Area Sales Director.

You?

Your Professional Profile Includes

• Commercial qualification or university degree.
• Fluent written and spoken English and German is an advantage
• Minimum 3-5 years of professional experience, preferably within the fragrance industry, FMCG sector, or a related commercial environment.
• Strong project management capabilities and ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, including remote stakeholders.
• Good business and commercial acumen with a customer-focused mindset.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Creativity, learning agility, and a passion for the fragrance business.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.

Our Benefits

• Attractive package with benefits (medical insurance, pension, yearly bonus and more).
• Excellent opportunities for progressive learning and development.
• A creative team environment that will inspire you.

At Givaudan, you contribute to delightful taste and scent experiences that touch people’s lives.

We value the different perspectives that come from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Everyone — regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, culture, religion, or any personal circumstances — is warmly welcomed at Givaudan, a place where we all love to be and grow.

Every essence of you enriches our world. Join us in making a difference together.