Manager Key Accounts

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Germany.

📋 Description

• Oversee and cultivate strategic defense accounts throughout Europe.

• Establish and nurture long-lasting customer relationships with key decision-makers.

• Formulate and implement account strategies, sales plans, and budgets.

• Lead customer meetings, commercial negotiations, and discussions related to contracts.

• Address customer inquiries, action items, and commercial needs.

• Identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities.

• Propel customer acquisition and demand generation across Kennametal’s Defense portfolio.

• Maintain a sales pipeline that aligns with annual growth objectives.

• Collect and relay market intelligence, customer feedback, and competitive insights.

• Create commercial proposals, quotations, and pricing strategies in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• Organize internal resources for customer projects and strategic initiatives.

• Assist in forecasting, strategic planning, enterprise account initiatives, and regional business reviews.

• Achieve annual sales, order intake, profitability, and customer satisfaction goals.

• Represent Kennametal at customer meetings, defense exhibitions, trade shows, and industry events.

• Coordinate customer visits, executive engagements, product presentations, and follow-up activities.

• Keep accurate records in CRM, including forecasts, opportunity pipelines, and account plans.

• Complete necessary sales, compliance, export control, and corporate training.

• Prioritize and manage delegated tasks in a dynamic, customer-focused environment.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in the defense, industrial manufacturing, materials, or specialty applications sectors.

• Experience in managing complex multinational customer relationships, Key Account Management, Business Development, and/or Strategic Sales is highly preferred.

• A Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

• Familiarity with small, medium, and large caliber weapons/munitions.

• Understanding of land systems and vehicle protection.

• Capability to obtain and maintain relevant security, export control, and customer-specific clearances as necessary.

• High degree of autonomy and the ability to organize oneself from a home office environment.

• Strong skills in account management and business development.

• Excellent commercial acumen, including knowledge of pricing, profitability, and financial analysis.

• Proficient negotiation, presentation, and influencing abilities.

• Strong analytical skills with the capacity to convert market intelligence into actionable strategies.

• Proficient in CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications.

• Willingness to travel frequently within the EU and occasionally internationally.

• Fluent in German (Native / C1 level) is required.

• Fluent in English (C1 level) is required.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in both German and English.

• A valid driver’s license is required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote contract primarily based in Germany.

• Home office setting.

• Regular domestic and international travel.