Key Account Manager

We are helping our client, a fast-growing hardware distribution business with ambitious growth plans, hire a Key Account Manager.

Job Description

The Key Account Manager is responsible for serving as the primary relationship owner for a select portfolio of large, strategic Aerospace & Defense accounts. This role manages the complete sales cycle—from sourcing and quoting through contract review, order management, delivery, and ongoing customer support—while developing and executing strategies to strengthen relationships, retain business, and drive profitable account growth.

The Key Account Manager builds deep, trust-based relationships with key customer stakeholders across Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, and Management, serving as the customer's advocate within the organization. The role proactively monitors account performance and customer needs, conducts regular business reviews, identifies opportunities to expand wallet share, and develops account strategies aligned with customer forecasts and long-term business objectives.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and relationship owner for 2-3 large, strategic key accounts, managing the complete sales cycle from quoting through delivery.
• Manage sourcing and quoting for assigned key accounts, including identifying supply options, negotiating with suppliers, and preparing accurate, competitive quotes.
• Oversee contract review, order entry, and backlog management to ensure orders are processed accurately and on schedule.
• Monitor order status, proactively communicate updates to customers, and expedite orders as needed to meet critical delivery timelines.
• Develop and execute account growth strategies to expand wallet share, identify new opportunities within existing accounts, and increase profitable revenue.
• Build and maintain deep, trust-based relationships with key customer stakeholders (purchasing, engineering, quality, and management contacts) to ensure long-term account retention and satisfaction.
• Conduct regular business reviews with key accounts to assess performance, address concerns, and align on future needs and forecasts.
• Travel periodically to customer sites to strengthen relationships, conduct in-person reviews, resolve issues, and support new business opportunities.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with purchasing, quality, operations, and customer service to ensure key account needs are prioritized and met.
• Maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction with professionalism and integrity, acting as the customer's advocate within the organization.
• Track and report on account performance, growth metrics, and forecasts to sales leadership.
• Work independently, managing multiple concurrent priorities across a small number of high-value, high-complexity accounts.
• Stay current on customer industry trends, competitive landscape, and market conditions affecting assigned accounts.

Key Skills/Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal and relationship-building ability
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy
• Strong familiarity with Aerospace fasteners, certifications, and quality standards
• Proven, successful track record managing and growing large or strategic accounts
• Strong negotiation and sourcing skills
• Willingness and ability to travel periodically (domestic, as required by account locations)
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to identify growth opportunities
• Experience with Microsoft Excel and Outlook
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Travel 30-40%