International Key Account Manager

People Freight; Bensenville (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary $80k-$100k

Bonus opportunity

Hybrid working environment

Career progression

Manage high-value international freigh

Job summary

People Freight is seeking an International Key Account Manager in Bensenville, IL with a hybrid work schedule. You will own a portfolio of key international freight accounts, serving as the main liaison and driving revenue growth while coordinating with operations and carriers to ensure service excellence.

The role requires 5+ years in international freight forwarding, strong relationship skills, and familiarity with air and ocean freight operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in international freight forwarding/logistics.
• Experience managing key accounts or major customer relationships.
• Strong knowledge of international air and ocean freight operations.
• Experience with customers, carriers, overseas agents, and internal operations teams.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify account growth opportunities.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with a TMS or CargoWise is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop relationships with a portfolio of key international freight customers.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned strategic accounts.
• Oversee international air and ocean freight activity, ensuring shipments are handled efficiently and professionally.
• Work closely with operations, sales, carriers, overseas offices, and customers to resolve issues and maintain service levels.
• Monitor account performance, shipment activity, service levels, and customer satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, expand services, and strengthen existing customer relationships.
• Prepare and present account reviews, performance updates, and business development opportunities.
• Assist with pricing, quotations, contract negotiations, and service proposals where required.
• Proactively address customer concerns and implement solutions to prevent recurring issues.
• Develop a strong understanding of each customer's supply chain and international logistics requirements.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure customer expectations and KPIs are consistently met.
• Maintain accurate account records and provide regular reporting to management.

Skills

Communication

Relationship-building

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Account management

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

International Key Account Manager | Bensenville, IL | Hybrid working schedule

This role will take ownership of a portfolio of key customers, acting as the primary point of contact and building strong, long-term partnerships. The successful candidate will work closely with operations and other internal teams to ensure customer expectations are consistently met, while proactively identifying opportunities to expand business, increase revenue, and strengthen existing accounts.

What's Offered

• $80,000 - $100,000 base salary
• Bonus opportunity
• Hybrid working environment
• Opportunity to manage high-value international freight accounts
• Career progression with an established international freight forwarder
• Collaborative and professional working environment

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop relationships with a portfolio of key international freight customers.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned strategic accounts.
• Oversee international air and ocean freight activity, ensuring shipments are handled efficiently and professionally.
• Work closely with operations, sales, carriers, overseas offices, and customers to resolve issues and maintain service levels.
• Monitor account performance, shipment activity, service levels, and customer satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, expand services, and strengthen existing customer relationships.
• Prepare and present account reviews, performance updates, and business development opportunities.
• Assist with pricing, quotations, contract negotiations, and service proposals where required.
• Proactively address customer concerns and implement solutions to prevent recurring issues.
• Develop a strong understanding of each customer's supply chain and international logistics requirements.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure customer expectations and KPIs are consistently met.
• Maintain accurate account records and provide regular reporting to management.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience within international freight forwarding/logistics.
• Proven experience managing key accounts or major customer relationships.
• Strong knowledge of international air and ocean freight operations.
• Experience working with customers, carriers, overseas agents, and internal operations teams.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify account growth opportunities.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple customer accounts and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with a TMS or freight forwarding software such as CargoWise is preferred.