Key Account Manager

EMEA Recruitment; Heidelberg; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An international consumer goods company is seeking a Key Account Manager to enhance its commercial team in Heidelberg, Germany. The successful candidate will manage retail customers and own the P&L, lead annual negotiations, and implement growth initiatives. A degree in a relevant field and over 4 years' experience in commercial roles are required, with a strong focus on the German market. This position offers a hybrid working model that combines office and home working.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in commercial roles, including 1 year in Key Account Management within FMCG or retail.
• Strong knowledge of the German LEH market and key decision makers.
• Proactive, results-driven communicator with a structured and collaborative working style.

Responsibilities

• Own the P&L, including budget planning and forecasting.
• Manage and develop key discount retailer relationships.
• Drive sales and margin growth through targeted initiatives.
• Optimize distribution, pricing, and promotional effectiveness.
• Execute key account strategies in collaboration with marketing.
• Monitor customer and market developments.

Skills

P&L management

Negotiation skills

Sales strategies

Strong communication

Market analysis

Fluency in German

Fluency in English

Education

Degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, or comparable field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Nielsen/GfK data

Job description

An international consumer goods company is looking to strengthen its commercial team with a Key Account Manager to manage the retail customers in the German market.

This is an exciting opportunity to take full ownership of a key national customers, translate strategy into action, and drive sustainable growth in a highly dynamic environment.

As Key Account Manager, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of your customer, from strategic planning to operational execution.

You will own the P&L, lead annual negotiations, and implement customer-specific growth initiatives in close collaboration with internal stakeholders.

Location: Heidelberg, Germany | Hybrid: 3 days office / 2 days home

Key Responsibilities

• Own the P&L, including budget planning, forecasting, and compliance with annual agreements
• Manage and develop key discount retailer relationships, including negotiations and business reviews
• Drive sales, revenue, and margin growth through targeted customer and promotional initiatives
• Optimize distribution, listings, pricing, and promotional effectiveness
• Execute key account strategies in collaboration with Trade Marketing and Marketing
• Monitor customer and market developments and support senior key account management in annual reviews

Candidate Profile

• Degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, or a comparable field
• 4+ years of experience in commercial roles, including at least 1 year in Key Account Management within FMCG or retail (LEH)
• Strong knowledge of the German LEH market and key decision makers
• Confident using Nielsen/GfK data, with strong Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Proactive, results-driven communicator with a structured and collaborative working style
• Fluency in German and English

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we’re only able to contact those selected for the next stage of the process. If you haven’t heard from us within five working days, unfortunately your application has not been successful. Please continue to explore future opportunities at www.emearecruitment.com

EMEA Recruitment is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.