Operational Key Account Manager

The Nippon Express Group is one of the leading global logistics service providers, with its Japanese corporation headquartered in Tokyo. We offer a wide range of services including air and ocean freight forwarding, cargo handling, removal services, and warehouse operations. With over 73,000 professionals in 50+ countries and regions, the NX Group is renowned for its global presence.

We are currently seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Operational Key Account Managerto join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for the seamless execution of freight operations and the commercial success of assigned key accounts. Your tasks will include proactive spot quoting, margin optimization, client reporting, and participation in QBRs and MBRs. You will collaborate closely with the Regional or Global Key Account Managers, country sales teams, and international stakeholders to manage strategic key accounts across the assigned industry.

These are your key tasks:

• Serve as the primary contact for assigned key accounts, ensuring operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and commercial success.
• Provide competitive spot rate quotations across air, sea, road, and multimodal transport, in close coordination with procurement and pricing teams.
• Analyze client needs and offer tailored transport solutions while identifying upselling opportunities and supporting lead conversion.
• Support Key Account Managers and sales teams with service reviews, KPI tracking, reporting, and strategic account planning.
• Coordinate and conduct regular MBRs/QBRs, monitor performance metrics, and implement corrective actions to maintain service quality.
• Manage customer data, pricing, and sales pipelines through CRM tools, and oversee RFQ timelines and documentation.
• Ensure smooth business handover to operations, collaborating with internal stakeholders to maintain service consistency and quality standards.
• Build long-term customer partnerships, fostering growth opportunities and aligning global capabilities with client needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, or a related field; an advanced degree or relevant industry certifications are advantageous.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the freight forwarding industry, ideally within a vertical division.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); additional language skills (e.g., Dutch, French, German, or Japanese) are a plus.
• Extensive knowledge of air and ocean freight business models, with a solid understanding of key account management and sales processes.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver presentations, conduct commercial negotiations, and build lasting client relationships.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills; able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Proven leadership qualities, including sound decision-making and team motivation capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and PowerPoint); experience with CRM systems and tools such as Salesforce, Tableau, and spot platforms is essential.

Benefits

• A permanent position within a leading logistics company
• Stimulating tasks within a diverse and international environment with world-known customers
• Great team members who will help you to get onboarded quickly
• Good Work-Life-Balance, possibility to Work From Home (hybrid or remote model)
• Individual training and development budget
• Attractive salary package
• Company car or job-ticket