Sea Logistics Operational Key Account Manager - Program Manager

Kuehne Nagel; Mendota Heights (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel in Mendota Heights, MN is hiring an Operational Key Account Manager to oversee the service delivery for strategic Sea Logistics customers. You will serve as the main operational link between customers, commercial teams, and internal stakeholders, driving performance and continuous improvement.

You will build strong relationships, translate customer needs into actionable operational solutions, monitor KPIs, and lead onboarding and implementation for new business initiatives, ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in Sea Logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain management, customer operations, or key account management.
• Strong understanding of international logistics operations and customer service processes.
• Ability to manage complex customer relationships and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience implementing customer solutions, projects, and process improvements.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret KPIs, identify trends, and drive performance.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Customer-centric mindset with commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for assigned key customers.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through regular communication and engagement.
• Understand customer requirements and translate them into effective operational solutions.
• Ensure customer expectations and service commitments are consistently met.
• Act as an escalation point for operational issues and coordinate timely resolution across internal teams.
• Support business growth by acting as a subject matter expert on operational processes and service capabilities.
• Lead operational onboarding and implementation activities for new business, strategic initiatives, and customer projects.
• Collaborate closely with Global Key Account Managers (GKAMs), Customer Care teams, and operational stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation plans to protect customer performance and satisfaction.
• Communicate customer requirements effectively across the Kuehne+Nagel operational network.
• Create, maintain, and support operational documentation, including Methods of Procedure (MOPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Define, negotiate, and monitor customer-specific KPIs in partnership with commercial and operational stakeholders.
• Analyze operational performance data, identify root causes of service deviations, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop customer performance reports and present operational insights during business reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities for process optimization and automation.

Skills

Sea Logistics

Freight Forwarding

Supply Chain Management

Customer Operations

Key Account Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field

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.

At Kuehne+Nagel, we are looking for a customer-focused and results-driven Operational Key Account Manager to manage operational engagement for a portfolio of strategic Sea Logistics customers. In this role, you will serve as the primary link between customers, commercial teams, and operational stakeholders, ensuring service excellence, continuous improvement, and successful delivery of customer commitments.

You will play a critical role in strengthening customer relationships, driving operational performance, implementing customer-specific solutions, and supporting business growth through exceptional service delivery and operational expertise.

How you create impact

• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for assigned key customers.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through regular communication and engagement.
• Understand customer requirements and translate them into effective operational solutions.
• Ensure customer expectations and service commitments are consistently met.
• Act as an escalation point for operational issues and coordinate timely resolution across internal teams.
• Support business growth by acting as a subject matter expert on operational processes and service capabilities.
• Lead operational onboarding and implementation activities for new business, strategic initiatives, and customer projects.
• Collaborate closely with Global Key Account Managers (GKAMs), Customer Care teams, and operational stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation plans to protect customer performance and satisfaction.
• Communicate customer requirements effectively across the Kuehne+Nagel operational network.
• Create, maintain, and support operational documentation, including Methods of Procedure (MOPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Define, negotiate, and monitor customer-specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in partnership with commercial and operational stakeholders.
• Analyze operational performance data, identify root causes of service deviations, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop customer performance reports and present operational insights during business reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities for process optimization and automation.

What we would like you to bring

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in Sea Logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain management, customer operations, or key account management.
• Strong understanding of international logistics operations and customer service processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex customer relationships and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience implementing customer solutions, operational projects, and process improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPIs, identify trends, and drive performance improvements.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage customers and internal stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Customer-centric mindset with a commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

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

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. Base salary for this role is between $100,000 to $120,000 per year and 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.