Global Key Account Manager

Global Key Account Manager

Shaping the Future of Logistics- Your Career Starts at Rhlig

Whether it's sea freight, air freight, or contract logistics, at Rhlig Logistics you'll help create tailor-made solutions that move the world forward. As a global, family-owned company founded in Bremen, Germany in 1852, we've built our reputation on reliability and trusted partnerships.

Rhlig USA delivers a customized supply chain solutions through a network of over 2,700 employees worldwide. As a privately owned company, we focus on long-term partnerships and high-quality service. Our U.S. team is growing rapidly, driven by innovation, reliability, and customer success.

We are seeking a dynamic Global Key Account Manager to generate new business while strengthening and expanding existing customer relationships within our growing team.

What You Will Do:

Sales Management

• 80% Travel Required
• Develop sales strategy for Rhlig's product portfolio in order to secure, manage and retain new global key account business
• Build and implement annual Strategy-to-action account plan to satisfy customer's needs and create demand for new offers
• Identify and manage pipeline for potential global Platinum and Gold accounts in the regions to meet the targeted growth; Grows sales activities and achieves quotas by driving the sales process start-to-end
• Maximizes opportunities by participating in the customer planning process, leading virtual account teams in building strategies that deliver balanced growth and customer satisfaction
• Perform own sales activities on Gold & Platinum accounts according to global standards and meet own individual sales budget (Generate leads Perform sales calls / meetings, perform pre-sales activities, Close the sale, Record outcome of sales process)
• Utilize sales & CRM tools for all pipeline and potential opportunities
• Ensure that new Key account activities are aligned with global and regional sales strategy
• Ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and standards within the sales department
• Leading the regional tender processes for Global Key Accounts and ensuring a high quality and successful completion and hit ratio in order to win new business opportunities.
• Assist and/or manage the successful completion of complex Global RFQ's, RFI's and RFP's from start to finish
• Engage with global pricing teams to develop pricing models on tender projects, coordination of customer pricing templates/sheets.
• Pro-active analysis of the regional business development from a sales perspective with a yearly book of business review for ensuring profitable customers.
• Ensure alignment of CRM compliance and sales processes with global standards.

Customer Relationship

• Deliver customer satisfaction through timely resolution of customer quality issues and by delivering an exceptional experience
• Manage Global Key Accounts (Manage customer relationships, manage customer master data and contracts) and assign Existing KAM on each of the accounts
• Involvement with the USA countries for sales budget & forecast, supporting on sales management and guidance to local sales activities.
• Develop and manage local marketing initiatives and sales campaigns in line with the regional marketing plan to support brand awareness and local sales.
• Capability to provide customized solutions that can fit the high demands of customers dealing with JIT (Just-In-Time) supply chains
• Quarterly customer visits, to include international visits as needed, for intensifying strategic dialogue and commitment.

General Management

• Oversee all product services provided by agents and vendors within the Global Key Account network.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for both new and existing vendors; maintain governance and ensure service quality.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners to deliver seamless operational performance.
• Negotiate customer rates while ensuring profitable outcomes for the company.
• Strengthen relationship stability by expanding product offerings and building multi-level stakeholder relationships between GKAM and Rhlig USA.
• Manage all account activities and engage cross-functional teams as needed.
• Implement global standards for customer management across Platinum and Gold accounts, including implementation plans, SOPs, KPIs, and QBRs.
• Develop and deliver annual budgets for the account portfolio, including strategic analysis, competitive insights, and planning for customer events.
• Execute the global sales strategy at the regional level to achieve growth and GP targets.
• Collaborate with Account Teams and key bid contributors to build customer- and competitor-informed bid strategies, ensuring participation from all necessary stakeholders.
• Oversee bid governance, timelines, and deliverables to maximize quality and success.
• Manage virtual bid teams across multiple geographies and functions (sales, marketing, product, finance, commercial, legal).
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality across all proposal content and documentation.
• Contribute to written proposals in both content development and presentation.
• Facilitate centralized communication, share account knowledge, and support both pre-sale and post-sale activities.
• Lead qualification, approval, and internal process-driven steps required for major opportunities.
• Provide risk assessments and mitigation strategies for bid submissions.
• Support operational teams in implementing procedures for newly awarded or expanded business.
• Maintain strong understanding of European logistics networks, with emphasis on Central/Eastern Europe and all transport modes.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of U.S.Mexico and U.S.Canada bonded transport and cross-border operations.
• Ensure implementation of SOPs/COPs related to invoicing, reporting, and business requirements.

What You Bring:

Educational background / Work experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration/economics/marketing
• 10 years' experience in the freight forwarding industry with at least (minimum)
• 3 years freight forwarding apprenticeship (or equivalent)
• 2 years freight forwarding abroad / Int'l work experience
• 5 years combined experience and success in: (minimum)

-Sales

-Operations

-Team management

-Project management

-Account management.

-Vendor management

-Supply Chain Management

-DG Certifications (IMDG / IATA / U.S. DOT)

Technical

• Deep, comprehensive understanding of global logistics and air/sea freight forwarding markets.
• Strong knowledge of Rhlig's product portfolio and value proposition.
• Willingness and ability to travel, including internationally.

Entrepreneurial

• Comfortable taking calculated risks; accountable and cost-conscious.
• Analytical, strategic thinker with a long-term development mindset.
• Innovative and solutions-oriented with strong customer problem-solving capability.
• Reflective decision-maker committed to continuous learning.

Leadership

• Sets clear goals and drives alignment and commitment across teams.
• Encourages personal development and challenges individuals to grow.
• Recognizes effort, manages conflict effectively, and acts with urgency.
• Decisive, empathetic, inspirational, and inclusive communicator.
• Builds and leads diverse teams with resilience and determination.
• Operates with high integrity.

Personal Attributes

• Creative thinker adaptable to different work environments.
• Encouraging, motivational, and capable of leading others effectively.
• Strong negotiator with proactive problem-solving skills.
• Reliable, results-oriented, and committed to positive project outcomes.
• Exceptional relationship-building and teamwork skills.
• High resilience, strong energy, and ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Highly adaptable to change.
• Skilled communicator with the ability to foster flexible work approaches.
• Excellent networker focused on generating business and maintaining customer loyalty.
• Responsible, organized, and efficient in project delivery.
• Strong international