Key Account Manager

CRG Search; Illinois; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CRG Search is seeking a Key Account Manager to own several high-profile industrial customer relationships and drive growth. You will collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Operations to understand customer needs and deliver solutions, while expanding existing business and identifying new opportunities.

The role emphasizes direct customer ownership with visibility at mid- to senior-level contacts, requiring strong commercial judgment and frequent travel to customer locations in

Qualifications

• Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or Business Degree is strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of Industrial Sales experience, preferably in metals manufacturing or engineered/physical products.
• Proven experience managing significant customer relationships and growing existing business.
• Strong commercial judgment with understanding of pricing, cost, margin, and profitability.
• Ability to negotiate with customers and handling difficult commercial conversations.
• Willingness and ability to do frequent overnight travel to customer locations.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow several key strategic customer accounts
• Build relationships at multiple levels within customer organizations
• Identify opportunities to expand existing business and develop new business
• Lead customer discussions involving pricing, margins, quality, delivery, and other commercial issues
• Develop and analyze quotes, bids, proposals, pricing models, cost and margin scenarios
• Present commercial recommendations and business cases to internal leadership
• Partner with technical and manufacturing teams to understand customer requirements and solve problems
• Develop a strong understanding of the products, manufacturing processes, and markets you support
• Monitor competitive activity, customer needs, and market opportunities
• Take ownership of account strategy while maintaining strong day-to-day execution

Skills

Key account management

Industrial sales

Pricing & negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Engineering/Manufacturing or Business degree

Tools

CRM software

ERP knowledge

Job description

We’re looking for a Key Account Manager to take ownership of several high-profile industrial customers and play a role in expanding existing business and identifying new opportunities… someone who can understand the business behind the customer relationship, recognize opportunities, and make sound commercial decisions with confidence to directly influence growth.

Although it’s an individual contributor role, there’s significant customer ownership and visibility. You’ll work directly with mid and senior-level customer contacts while partnering closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, and other internal teams.

[Candidates must be based in the Midwest and reside near one of the following airports: ORD, MKE, MSP, DTW, or IND]

Primary Responsibilities will be to:

• Manage and grow several key strategic customer accounts
• Build relationships at multiple levels within customer organizations
• Identify opportunities to expand existing business and develop new business
• Lead customer discussions involving pricing, margins, quality, delivery, and other commercial issues
• Develop and analyze quotes, bids, proposals, pricing models, cost and margin scenarios
• Present commercial recommendations and business cases to internal leadership
• Partner with technical and manufacturing teams to understand customer requirements and solve problems
• Develop a strong understanding of the products, manufacturing processes, and markets you support
• Monitor competitive activity, customer needs, and market opportunities
• Take ownership of account strategy while maintaining strong day-to-day execution

Requirements include:

• Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or Business Degree is strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of Industrial Sales experience, preferably in metals manufacturing or engineered/physical products
• Proven experience managing significant customer relationships and growing existing business
• Strong commercial judgment with an understanding of pricing, cost, margin, and profitability
• Ability to negotiate with customers and handling difficult commercial conversations Strong executive presence and the ability to communicate effectively with senior-level customers
• Ability to work comfortably with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams
• Technical aptitude and the ability to understand physical products, drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes
• Strong analytical, presentation, written, and verbal communication skills
• Self-directed, proactive, adaptable, and highly accountable
• Willingness and ability to do frequent overnight travel to customer locations.