National Key Account Manager Freight Forwarding

Kuehne+Nagel; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market‑competitive salary

Company car

24 vacation days + 3.5 ATV days

Flexible working (home/office/road)

Strong pension scheme

One-year contract with potential to go

Pre-employment screening

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel Netherlands is seeking a National Key Account Manager based in Rotterdam or Schiphol. You will act as a strategic partner for major customers, designing solutions to strengthen supply chains and drive growth across Sea, Air and Road Logistics.

This full‑time role reports to the Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Netherlands. You will build advisory relationships, identify opportunities, and coordinate global virtual account teams to stay ahead of market developments.

Qualifications

• Completed HBO/academic degree in a commercial, economic or supply‑chain field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in sales or business development within logistics or freight forwarding.
• Knowledge of Sea, Air and Road Logistics including customs, intermodal, contract logistics and 3PL/4PL.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop key accounts, acting as the central link between customers and Kuehne+Nagel’s global network.
• Plan and execute account strategies, define value propositions, and shape tender approaches with business units.
• Identify and convert new opportunities, maintain a strong pipeline, and achieve high closing ratios.
• Lead structured customer reviews to align on strategy and priorities.

Skills

Relationship building

Negotiation

Sales strategy

Account management

Education

HBO/academic degree in commercial/economic or supply-chain

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

It's more than a job

With a sales career at Kuehne+Nagel, you’ll drive long‑term business success by mastering sales strategies, nurturing customer relationships and identifying new opportunities. At Kuehne+Nagel, our work is about more than we imagine.

With a sales career at Kuehne+Nagel, you’ll drive long‑term business success by mastering sales strategies, nurturing customer relationships and identifying new opportunities. At Kuehne+Nagel, our work is about more than we imagine.

You will act as a strategic partner for major customers in different verticals, designing solutions that strengthen their supply chains and drive Kuehne+Nagel’s growth. Based in Rotterdam or Schiphol, you will shape long‑term commercial impact across Sea, Air and Road Logistics.

As National Key Account Manager with a strong business‑development focus, you identify opportunities, create smart solutions, and deliver sustainable growth for both your customers and Kuehne+Nagel. You will work in an international environment where ideas matter, relationships are built for the long term, and your commercial impact is visible every day. This full‑time role reports directly to the Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Netherlands.

How you create impact

You build strong, advisory‑driven relationships, understand customer needs, and proactively identify up‑and cross‑sell opportunities. You manage key accounts while driving new business, collaborating closely with colleagues in the Netherlands and abroad to stay ahead of market developments.

More concretely, you will:

• Own and develop key accounts, acting as the central link between customers and Kuehne+Nagel’s global network.
• Plan and execute account strategies, define value propositions, and shape tender approaches with business units.
• Identify and convert new opportunities, maintain a strong pipeline, and achieve high closing ratios.
• Lead structured customer reviews to align on strategy, priorities, and continuous improvement.
• Connect and coordinate global virtual account teams to ensure seamless international representation.
• Monitor monthly performance (volume, profitability, pipeline, overdues) and initiate corrective actions.
• Ensure smooth onboarding of new business and handover to operations.

What we would like you to bring

You are a confident commercial partner with strong communication, relationship‑building and networking skills. You navigate long sales cycles with persistence and credibility.

You also have:

• A completed HBO/academic degree in a commercial, economic or supply‑chain field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in sales or business development within logistics or freight forwarding. Familiar with the Dutch Market & current trends.
• Knowledge of Sea, Air and Road Logistics, including customs, intermodal, contract logistics and integrated logistics (3PL/4PL).
• A strategic mindset, strong negotiation skills, and a proactive, continuous‑improvement approach.
• A collaborative attitude and willingness to contribute to a strong global community.
• Good command of English; Dutch is an advantage.

What's in it for you

At Kuehne+Nagel, you can grow your commercial and relationship‑management skills within a dynamic, international sales team. We offer extensive training, competitive remuneration, and opportunities to collaborate across a global network. Employees value the autonomy, responsibility and international career paths we provide.

Additional benefits include

• Market‑competitive salary with attractive bonus scheme
• Company car, iPhone and laptop
• 24 vacation days + 3.5 ATV days, with flexible extension options
• Flexible working (home, office or on the road) with full ownership of your agenda
• Strong pension scheme
• Start with one‑year contract with the intention to convert to permanent employment
• Pre‑employment screening and Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG)

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life‑saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.