Key Account Manager Metal Working Fluids

Arxada; Morristown (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision insurance

Life & Disability insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Arxada in Morristown, NJ seeks a strategic Key Account Manager for Metalworking Fluids to drive growth across global accounts. You will translate technical capabilities into value propositions, lead complex negotiations, and collaborate with product, R&D and supply chain teams to deliver differentiated solutions.

You will manage strategic accounts, develop growth plans, and travel internationally (30–50%) to support customers and projects. 150–180k salary plus bonus and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive commercial experience in metalworking fluids or related sectors.
• Proven track record in managing strategic accounts and profitable growth.
• Translate technical concepts into compelling customer value propositions.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation and planning skills.
• Experience with CRM platforms such as Salesforce or Dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of the Metalworking Fluids commercial strategy across global accounts and regions.
• Build trusted relationships with strategic customers and develop growth plans.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities through account expansion and value selling.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Technical Service, R&D, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Lead commercial and technical discussions on performance requirements and sustainability.
• Drive pipeline management, forecasting, pricing, and CRM excellence.
• Monitor market trends, dynamics, and regulatory developments to inform decisions.
• Provide leadership and guidance across a matrix organization.

Skills

Strategic account mgmt

Negotiation

Relationship building

Communication

Strategic account planning

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Engineering/Materials Science

Tools

Salesforce

Dynamics

Job description

Key Account Manager, Metalworking Fluids (MWF)

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection. With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved 2 billion CHF in 2025 sales. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,100 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

As a Key Account Manager, Metalworking Fluids (MWF), you will play a critical role in accelerating growth across Arxada’s Material Protection business by developing strategic customer partnerships and delivering differentiated solutions to the global metalworking industry. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven professional with deep industry expertise to shape growth within a key market segment, influence portfolio strategy, and collaborate with talented global teams. You will combine technical credibility with commercial excellence to create value for customers, expand market share, and help drive sustainable, profitable growth across machining, forming, and industrial metalworking applications.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead execution of the Metalworking Fluids commercial strategy, delivering revenue, volume, and margin objectives across assigned global accounts and regions.
• Build trusted relationships with strategic customers, including formulators, blenders, OEMs, and major industrial manufacturers, creating long-term partnerships and growth plans.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities through account expansion, application development, value-selling initiatives, and market penetration strategies.
• Partner closely with Product Management, Technical Service, R&D, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver outstanding customer experiences and differentiated solutions.
• Lead commercial and technical discussions covering metalworking performance requirements such as corrosion protection, lubricity, tool life, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
• Drive disciplined pipeline management, forecasting accuracy, pricing execution, and CRM excellence while supporting profitable growth initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, customer dynamics, competitive activity, and regulatory developments to identify strategic opportunities and inform business decisions.
• Influence and collaborate across a matrix organization, providing leadership, guidance, and support to internal stakeholders and regional commercial teams.

Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years of progressive commercial experience within metalworking fluids, industrial lubricants, specialty chemicals, metal processing, or related industrial manufacturing sectors.
• Proven track record of managing strategic accounts, leading complex negotiations, and delivering profitable growth.
• Strong understanding of metalworking operations, machining processes, metal forming applications, OEM requirements, and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into compelling customer value propositions and commercial outcomes.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic account planning skills.
• Experience using CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Dynamics, or equivalent systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Willingness to travel internationally (approximately 30-50%) to support customers, projects, and business growth initiatives.

US Compensation Statement

The expected salary range for this role is 150-180k annually, but specific employee compensation may vary depending on factors including experience, education, training, licensure, certification, location and other job-related, non-discriminatory factors permitted by law.

This role is also eligible to earn a short-term incentive bonus and the following benefits: 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays and paid sick leave.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas: Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection. Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.