Senior Strategic Key Account Manager – Global Freight Forwarding

SalesNXT; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

25 vacation days

Company lease car

Pension plan (70% employer contrib)

Laptop

Job summary

Salesnxt in Schiphol Area, Netherlands, seeks an experienced Senior Strategic Key Account Manager for Global Freight Forwarding. You will own relationships with high-value accounts, drive revenue growth, and align cross-functional teams across Air, Ocean, and Warehousing to deliver seamless service.

You will lead strategy, risk management, and governance across Western Europe, while managing tender processes, margins, and contracts to protect profitability. International travel is expected.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in freight forwarding, logistics, or key account management handling complex global accounts.
• Deep operational understanding of Air Freight and Ocean Freight; time-critical or high-tech logistics is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional, multi-country teams without direct line authority.
• Strong background in tender management, margin control, SLA alignment, and contract negotiation.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional European or Asian languages are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own strategic customer relationships at executive levels and drive growth.
• Coordinate cross-border operations and ensure performance across NL, BE, DE, UK.
• Lead project kick-offs, define and enforce SOPs, and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify and mitigate operational and financial risks with rapid escalation when needed.
• Establish structured reporting cycles for internal stakeholders and client leadership.
• Act as escalation lead for critical, business-impacting issues to ensure continuity.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Tender management

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

English proficiency

Job description

Senior Strategic Key Account Manager – Global Freight Forwarding

Senior Strategic Key Account Manager – Global Freight Forwarding

Location: Schiphol Area, Netherlands

Employment Type: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Role Overview

As Strategic Key Account Manager, you are the single point of contact and ultimate business owner for our high-value global accounts. You own the customer relationship, drive revenue growth, and ensure seamless service delivery by aligning cross-functional and cross-border teams across Air, Ocean, and Warehousing.

Key Responsibilities

Account Strategy & Growth: Own strategic customer relationships at management level. Expand gross profit and market share through cross-selling, upselling, and RFQ management.

Cross-Border Coordination: Oversee operations, service commitments, and performance across Western European entities (NL, BE, DE, UK).

Implementation & Governance: Lead project kick-offs, define and enforce strictly aligned Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and drive continuous improvement.

Risk & Escalation Management: Proactively identify operational and financial risks. Ensure full transparency and rapid internal escalation to protect service levels and company interest.

Performance Reporting: Establish structured reporting cycles (daily status, weekly reviews, monthly business reviews) for internal stakeholders and client leadership.

Critical Issue Response: Serve as the escalation lead for critical, business-impacting matters to ensure business continuity.

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience: 8+ years in freight forwarding, logistics, or key account management with a proven track record handling complex global accounts.

Domain Knowledge: Deep operational understanding of Air Freight and Ocean Freight. Experience in time-critical or high-tech logistics is a strong plus.

Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional, multi-country teams without direct line authority.

Commercial Acumen: Strong background in tender management, margin control, SLA alignment, and contract negotiation.

Languages: Fluent in English (written and spoken). Additional European or Asian languages are advantageous.

Mobility: Willingness to travel internationally for business reviews and project implementations.

What We Offer

Contract: 1-year contract with clear view to permanent employment.

Compensation: Competitive primary salary based on experience, plus 8% holiday allowance and 25 vacation days.

Benefits: Key Account incentive/bonus scheme, company lease car, laptop, and a comprehensive pension plan (70% employer contribution).