Global Director Key Accounts - Automotive

About the role

Kuehne+Nagel is seeking a strategic and results-driven Global Key Account Manager (GKAM) to manage and grow a portfolio of strategic global accounts. In this role, you will serve as the primary commercial representative for assigned customers, driving business growth, strengthening executive-level relationships, and ensuring alignment across Kuehne+Nagel's global logistics and supply chain solutions. You will translate customer insights into actionable strategies, lead account planning initiatives, and deliver long-term value for both customers and the organization.

How you create impact

• 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.

Pay

The target total compensation range for this position is between $125,000 and $165,000. 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.

Benefits

• Health and welfare benefits
• 401k retirement savings plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Incentive compensation for eligible roles