Global Director Key Accounts - Automotive

About the role

Some of the world’s most innovative companies need more than traditional account management. Their supply chains span continents, cultures, business units, and rapidly evolving markets, particularly across the automotive and high-tech industries, where speed, innovation, and operational execution are critical. Kuehne+Nagel is seeking a Global Key Account Manager to lead and grow strategic customer relationships within this complex environment. You will own the global commercial relationship, connecting customer priorities with our capabilities across Air Logistics, Sea Logistics, Road Logistics, Contract Logistics, and Integrated Logistics. You will work across countries, cultures, and functions to align diverse stakeholders around common objectives. From supporting new market and product launches to coordinating complex capital equipment, manufacturing expansion, and project logistics requirements, you will help customers navigate critical stages of growth while identifying opportunities to strengthen and expand the partnership. This is an opportunity to operate at global scale with sophisticated automotive and high-tech customers, bringing together customer decision-makers and Kuehne+Nagel teams around the world to turn complex business requirements into scalable supply chain solutions.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the end-to-end commercial relationship for a portfolio of strategic global accounts, driving revenue growth, retention, and customer satisfaction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with executive, procurement, logistics, and supply chain stakeholders across customer organizations.
• Develop a deep understanding of customer business models, strategic priorities, and competitive landscapes to identify growth opportunities.
• Create and execute account plans aligned with customer objectives and Kuehne+Nagel's commercial strategy.
• Identify, develop, and convert new business opportunities across Air Logistics, Sea Logistics, Road Logistics, Contract Logistics, and Integrated Logistics solutions.
• Lead commercial negotiations, including pricing, rates, and service agreements, while ensuring all contractual requirements are properly documented.
• Partner closely with business units, pricing teams, and operational stakeholders to deliver integrated customer solutions and drive successful outcomes.
• Monitor pipeline activity, business development performance, account profitability, and key commercial KPIs, implementing corrective actions when needed.
• Ensure the successful transition of new business into operations, maintaining alignment between customer expectations and service delivery.
• Conduct regular business reviews focused on performance, continuous improvement, innovation, and long-term strategic partnership development.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in key account management, business development, sales, or commercial leadership within logistics, transportation, or supply chain management.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Engineering, International Studies, Supply Chain, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of global supply chain solutions, including Air, Sea, Road, Contract Logistics, and Integrated Logistics services.
• Proven success in consultative selling, solution development, cross-selling, and driving profitable business growth.
• Advanced negotiation, influencing, and relationship management skills with experience engaging senior-level stakeholders.
• Experience managing multinational customers and navigating complex, matrixed organizations.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities with the ability to translate customer insights into actionable account strategies.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed to support customer engagement, business development, and account management activities.

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.

Benefits

The target total compensation range for this position is between $165,000 and $200,000. 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.

We offer a dynamic global work environment with opportunities for excellent training programs and career mobility.

About Kuehne+Nagel

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.