Sea Logistics Senior Sales Representative

Kuehne Nagel; Bensenville (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel in the United States seeks a Senior Sales Executive to drive strategic growth in our sea logistics division. You will manage a portfolio of key accounts, lead complex negotiations, and uncover new business opportunities while serving as a trusted advisor.

This role requires a seasoned sales professional with deep logistics knowledge, a track record in customer acquisition and retention, and the ability to mentor junior staff as the team scales.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of field sales experience in sea logistics or sea logistics freight forwarding.
• Demonstrable ability to leverage up-to-date market knowledge for the benefit of clients.
• Strong business acumen in freight forwarding and consultative selling skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex sales cycles and close deals.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience mentoring or coaching junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Drive Strategic Growth: Lead the creation and execution of sales strategies that expand market share and unlock new revenue streams.
• Grow High‑Value Accounts: Manage and develop a portfolio of key customers, ensuring long‑term partnerships and continuous value creation.
• Lead Complex Negotiations: Take charge of RFQs, contracts, and executive‑level negotiations with a focus on sustainable, profitable outcomes.
• Deliver Tailored Solutions: Conduct deep customer needs assessments and collaborate cross‑functionally to design solutions that exceed expectations.
• Partner Across the Business: Work closely with operations, pricing, and product teams to ensure flawless service delivery.
• Mentor Future Talent: Provide guidance and coaching to junior sales colleagues, elevating the performance of the broader team.
• Forecast with Precision: Maintain accurate CRM data and deliver reliable sales forecasts that support strategic decision‑making.
• Represent the Brand: Serve as a Kuehne+Nagel ambassador at industry events, conferences, and high‑level customer meetings.

Skills

Field sales

Sea logistics

Freight forwarding

Customer acquisition

Negotiation

Mentoring

Job description

It\'s more than a job

With a sales career at Kuehne+Nagel, you’ll shape long-term business success by leading strategic initiatives, cultivating high-value customer relationships, and uncovering new growth opportunities. Your expertise will drive impactful solutions that strengthen global supply chains and deliver exceptional value to our clients. At Kuehne+Nagel, our work goes beyond what we imagine—because every decision you make helps move the world forward. This sales role can be based in any of our major U.S. locations.

As a Senior Sales Executive at Kuehne+Nagel, you will take a strategic role in driving business growth within our sea logistics division. You will manage a portfolio of key accounts, lead complex negotiations, and identify new business opportunities. This role requires a seasoned sales professional with a deep understanding of logistics and a proven track record in customer acquisition and retention. You will serve as a trusted advisor to clients and a mentor to junior sales staff.

How you create impact

• Drive Strategic Growth: Lead the creation and execution of sales strategies that expand market share and unlock new revenue streams.

• Grow High‑Value Accounts: Manage and develop a portfolio of key customers, ensuring long‑term partnerships and continuous value creation.

• Lead Complex Negotiations: Take charge of RFQs, contracts, and executive‑level negotiations with a focus on sustainable, profitable outcomes.

• Deliver Tailored Solutions: Conduct deep customer needs assessments and collaborate cross‑functionally to design solutions that exceed expectations.

• Partner Across the Business: Work closely with operations, pricing, and product teams to ensure flawless service delivery.

• Mentor Future Talent: Provide guidance and coaching to junior sales colleagues, elevating the performance of the broader team.

• Forecast with Precision: Maintain accurate CRM data and deliver reliable sales forecasts that support strategic decision‑making.

• Represent the Brand: Serve as a Kuehne+Nagel ambassador at industry events, conferences, and high‑level customer meetings.

What we would like you to bring

• 5+ years of field sales experience in sea logistics or sea logistics freight forwarding

• Demonstrable ability to leverage your up-to-date market knowledge for the benefit of internal and external clients

• Strong business acumen in freight forwarding and consultative selling skills

• Proven ability to manage complex sales cycles and close deals

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills

• Experience mentoring or coaching junior team members

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 $75K and $105K. 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.