National Key Account Manager Freight Forwarding

At Kuehne+Nagel, you will act as a strategic partner for major customers in different verticals, designing solutions that strengthen their supply chains and drive growth. Based in Rotterdam or Schiphol, you will shape long-term commercial impact across Sea, Air and Road Logistics.

As National Key Account Manager with a strong business-development focus, you identify opportunities, create smart solutions, and deliver sustainable growth for both your customers and Kuehne+Nagel. You will work in an international environment where ideas matter, relationships are built for the long term, and your commercial impact is visible every day. This full-time role reports directly to the Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Netherlands.

How you create impact

You build strong, advisory-driven relationships, understand customer needs, and proactively identify up- and cross-sell opportunities. You manage key accounts while driving new business, collaborating closely with colleagues in the Netherlands and abroad to stay ahead of market developments.

More concretely, you will:

• Own and develop key accounts, acting as the central link between customers and Kuehne+Nagel’s global network.
• Plan and execute account strategies, define value propositions, and shape tender approaches with business units.
• Identify and convert new opportunities, maintain a strong pipeline, and achieve high closing ratios.
• Lead structured customer reviews to align on strategy, priorities, and continuous improvement.
• Connect and coordinate global virtual account teams to ensure seamless international representation.
• Monitor monthly performance (volume, profitability, pipeline, overdues) and initiate corrective actions.
• Ensure smooth onboarding of new business and handover to operations.

What we would like you to bring

You are a confident commercial partner with strong communication, relationship-building and networking skills. You navigate long sales cycles with persistence and credibility.

You also have:

• A completed HBO/academic degree in a commercial, economic or supply-chain field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in sales or business development within logistics or freight forwarding, with familiarity with the Dutch market and current trends.
• Knowledge of Sea, Air and Road Logistics, including customs, intermodal, contract logistics and integrated logistics (3PL/4PL).
• A strategic mindset, strong negotiation skills, and a proactive, continuous-improvement approach.
• A collaborative attitude and willingness to contribute to a strong global community.
• Good command of English; Dutch is an advantage.

What's in it for you

At Kuehne+Nagel, you can grow your commercial and relationship-management skills within a dynamic, international sales team. We offer extensive training, competitive remuneration, and opportunities to collaborate across a global network. Employees value the autonomy, responsibility and international career paths we provide.

Additional benefits include:

• Market-competitive salary with attractive bonus scheme
• Company car, iPhone and laptop
• 24 vacation days + 3.5 ATV days, with flexible extension options
• Flexible working (home, office or on the road) with full ownership of your agenda
• Strong pension scheme
• Start with one-year contract with the intention to convert to permanent employment
• Pre-employment screening and Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG)

Who we are

As a global leader, Kuehne+Nagel offers a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference.