As a Senior Key Account Manager (Rotterdam based), reporting the Deputy General Manager (Shanghai based), you will lead a small key account management team based in Shanghai remotely to deliver exceptional client partnership for strategic accounts. Responsible for both individual key accounts and team leadership, you will drive customer-centric strategies while mentoring your team to achieve collective and individual targets. Your role combines hands-on account ownership with team development – coordinating cross-functional resources, optimizing processes, and fostering a culture of commercial excellence within the team.

The following tasks will be part of your job:

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach and motivate a team of account managers to achieve targets;
• conduct performance reviews and identify skill gaps;
• develop and implement account management best practices.

Customer relationship

• Be fully responsible and accountable for key accounts and coordinate all activities;
• act as the main contact for strategic, commercial and operational topics;
• work with Operations to meet KPIs and safeguard customer satisfaction;
• develop long-term customer relationships over short-term gains;
• represent the customer’s interests internally;
• collaborate with internal teams to resolve issues;
• gather and share customer feedback;
• build in-depth knowledge of the customer’s business and goals.

Communication

• Build strong relationships with key decision-makers and manage client communication;
• lead commercial negotiations based on aligned strategies;
• align with internal teams to meet customer needs.

Value-based selling

• Develop tailored logistics solutions for customers;
• prepare quotations in line with rate agreements;
• anticipate future needs and identify growth opportunities.

Project Management

• Support accounts receivable processes and resolve issues if needed;
• ensure use of tools for tracking and reporting;
• maintain and implement SOPs;
• set up reporting structures for performance monitoring;
• coordinate meetings and initiatives with stakeholders.

Do you have:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher;
• excellent communication skills in German and English;
• 10+ years of experience in logistics KAM roles, including 3+ years in team management;
• strong knowledge of ocean freight, 4PL, air, rail, trucking and warehousing;
• a proactive, solution-oriented and customer-focused mindset;
• strong negotiation and presentation skills;
• experience in multicultural and global teams;
• ability to work independently and manage deadlines;
• strong analytical and data-driven skills;
• strong collaboration skills with internal teams;
• proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.

What do we offer:

• A competitive salary;
• annual bonus of 1 month base salary, which is variable;
• 8% holiday allowance;
• 7% pension allowance;
• 25 holidays a year;
• mentorship and the possibility to develop yourself.