Sea Logistics Operational Key Account Manager

Kuehne+Nagel; East Point (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel is seeking an Operational Key Account Manager in the Sea Logistics team to deliver operational excellence and drive customer satisfaction for global clients. You will bridge customers with operations, optimize processes, and implement tailored solutions that meet client needs.

In a fast-paced, international environment, you will collaborate with Global Key Account Managers and operations teams to improve transparency, performance, and growth.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in Sea Logistics operations and supply chain processes.
• Solid understanding of operational systems and process optimization.
• Proven ability to manage key customer relationships in a complex environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Customer-focused and solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPI data and drive improvements.
• Ability to work independently with strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Experience in process documentation, standardization, and continuous improvement.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing customer and operational demands.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key customers.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational issues and customer concerns.
• Manage and align customer expectations while ensuring fulfillment of service commitments.
• Clarify, negotiate, and formalize operational requirements with customers.
• Design and implement customer-specific solutions to increase satisfaction and loyalty.
• Coordinate and facilitate onboarding of new business, customer projects, and special requests.
• Identify operational risks and ensure visibility among all relevant stakeholders.
• Advocate for customer needs within the internal operational organization.
• Develop, maintain, and standardize processes (MOPs/SOPs) across global and local operations.

Skills

Sea Logistics

Key account management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Process optimization

Relationship building

KPI analysis

Independent worker

Job description

It's more than a job

As a member of the Freight Forwarding team Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling our customers’ promises. And by transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine.

Join our Sea Logistics team as an Operational Key Account Manager, where you will play a critical role in delivering operational excellence and enhancing customer satisfaction for key global clients. In this position, you will act as the bridge between customers and operations, ensuring seamless service delivery, driving process improvements, and implementing tailored solutions that meet client needs.

You will work in a fast-paced, international environment, collaborating closely with Global Key Account Managers, operational teams, and system experts to optimize performance, improve transparency, and support business growth.

How you create impact

• Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key customers

• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational issues and customer concerns

• Manage and align customer expectations while ensuring fulfillment of service commitments

• Clarify, negotiate, and formalize operational requirements with customers

• Design and implement customer-specific solutions to increase satisfaction and loyalty

• Act as a subject matter expert on service offerings and operational capabilities to support new business

• Coordinate and facilitate onboarding of new business, customer projects, and special requests

• Identify operational risks and ensure visibility among all relevant stakeholders

• Advocate for customer needs within the internal operational organization

• Develop, maintain, and standardize processes (MOPs/SOPs) across global and local operations

• Support system setup, digitalization, and process automation initiatives

• Define and agree on customer KPIs in collaboration with key stakeholders

• Monitor operational performance through reporting and KPI tracking

• Analyze root causes of performance gaps and drive continuous improvement initiatives

• Prepare and present operational performance metrics and insights during customer business reviews

What we would like you to bring

• Strong experience in Sea Logistics operations and supply chain processes

• Solid understanding of operational systems and process optimization

• Proven ability to manage key customer relationships in a complex environment

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Customer-focused and solution-oriented mindset

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPI data and drive improvements

• Ability to work independently with strong organizational and prioritization skills

• Experience in process documentation, standardization, and continuous improvement

• Flexibility and adaptability to changing customer and operational demands

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employer sponsorship.

What's in it for you

At Kuehne+Nagel we strive daily to inspire, empower, and deliver not only to our customers, but also to our colleagues. We offer a dynamic global work environment with opportunities for excellent training programs and career mobility. The target base salary range for this position is between $85,000 and $100,000. Base salary is part of a competitive total rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and incentive compensation for eligible roles. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, skills, job location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. Kuehne+Nagel reviews pay ranges regularly to ensure competitive and fair pay based on industry market data. #LI-UT1

Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in specific processes [e.g. screening applications, interview scheduling]. These tools analyze information to support decision-making, but final decisions are made by human reviewers.

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.

Kuehne + Nagel is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. If you require an accommodation for any part of the online application process due to a disability, please contact the Employee Services HR Help Desk at 1-800-267-1326 during the hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm EST; Monday through Friday or via e-mail at: [e-mail] with the nature of your request. We will answer your inquiry within 24 hours.