Key Account Manager

Location : Chicago, IL area preferred (Hybrid, Central time zone required)

Reports to : Chief Commercial Officer

Compensation : $180,000 - $200,000 base + annual performance bonus

Our client is a globally established manufacturer of advanced production equipment and engineered solutions for process manufacturing environments. From its Americas hub, the company supports customers across North, Central, and South America with technical service, installation, and long-term account support, and is known for deep technical expertise and long-term client partnerships.

Your Role :

You'll serve as the primary relationship owner for one of the company's largest, fastest-growing strategic accounts, coordinating a multi-site US operation and acting as the trusted link between that client and a Europe-based technical team. This role suits a structured, politically savvy professional who builds trust through execution and stays composed in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.

What You'll Do :

• Own the day-to-day relationship for a major multi-site client account, serving as the go-to contact across all active projects
• Get ahead of problems before they escalate: ask the right questions early and serve as the calm, structured voice when gaps in institutional knowledge create risk
• Maintain visibility across the full active project portfolio, flagging risk early and making sure a costly mistake on one project doesn't repeat on the next
• Partner with the process engineering and food technology teams to shape proposals and translate client needs into executable plans
• Be a known, trusted presence at client plants across the US, traveling as needed (up to 50% of the time) to stay the first call when something comes up
• Bridge time zones and working styles with a Europe-based account team through proactive, structured communication

What You'll Bring :

• 7+ years of key account management or enterprise account experience in a true processing environment (confectionery, food, dairy, or a comparable manufacturing sector)
• A track record of navigating corporate complexity in large, fast-changing organizations, building credibility with both plant-level and corporate stakeholders
• A structured, execution-first approach capable of managing multiple concurrent, high-stakes projects without things slipping through the cracks
• Enough technical fluency to hold your own with process and food-technology engineers
• Comfort working flexible hours to stay aligned with a Europe-based team
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person and be able to work without visa sponsorship

Why Join ?

This role comes with real autonomy and visibility: you'll be the named point of contact for one of the company's most strategic relationships, with a direct line to senior leadership and a seat at the table on decisions that matter. Compensation includes a substantial performance bonus tied to clear, collaboratively-set goals, plus a company vehicle or travel allowance to support your on-the-ground presence with clients. The organization moves quickly and trusts its people to make real decisions rather than getting slowed down by layers of analysis, so if you want a role where your judgment directly shapes outcomes, this is that seat.