Key Account Manager - French Speaking

This role sits right in the middle of international trade, looking after key customers across French-speaking markets and keeping the import/export sales process moving smoothly. You’ll have plenty of client contact, a strong admin and commercial focus, and regular interaction with senior commercial leaders.

• You’ll manage relationships with key accounts while keeping a close handle on pricing, documentation, and day-to-day trading activity. Expect a mix of client communication, admin, problem-solving, and market-focused work, often across different time zones.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with new and existing clients
• Getting to know each client’s needs, objectives, and challenges so you can respond quickly and appropriately
• Checking all documentation before sending to clients, making sure pricing and stock details are accurate
• Ensuring clients receive all relevant shipping and clearing documentation before vessels arrive
• Helping the Business Development Manager with debtor management and keeping clients within agreed credit limits
• Supporting internal credit limit management for both existing and new clients
• Working closely with the Team Leader to ensure orders are processed quickly and efficiently
• Communicating any order-related issues or delays to clients clearly and promptly
• Monitoring labelling and any special requirements for different orders
• Escalating larger or more complex issues to the Business Development Manager when needed
• Assisting with reports for suppliers, including market feedback, brand activations, and trading conditions
• Supporting brand development in-market and spotting practical ways to grow sales revenue
• Monitoring and assessing brand performance and suggesting adjustments to meet objectives
• Making sure shipping and payment terms are workable and mutually beneficial for both client and company
• Managing pricing, discounts, and service level agreements in line with the commercial strategy
• You’ll have a strong administrative backbone:
• Handling a high volume of varied, client-sensitive tasks with a logical, structured approach
• Prioritising and compartmentalising tasks quickly while keeping extreme attention to detail
• On the problem-solving side, you’ll be:
• Addressing client concerns or issues promptly and effectively
• Resolving conflicts or disputes while protecting long-term relationships
• Identifying root causes of recurring issues and proposing practical preventive strategies
• Applying a decisive, commercial mindset to everyday decisions and problem solving
• You’ll also stay close to what’s happening in the market:
• Keeping up to date with industry trends and the competitive landscape
• Sharing relevant market insights and practical solutions with clients
• Helping the Business Development Manager reach sales and budget targets for assigned markets
• Monitoring key performance indicators and reporting on progress regularly
• Flexibility is important, as systems and processes evolve in a technology-forward environment, and some markets may require work beyond standard office hours.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• French language skills as a home language
• Bachelor’s degree in business
• Proven experience in key account management or a similar client-facing commercial role
• Strong understanding of products, services, and the broader import/export or FMCG-related industry
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Solid strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• A results-driven approach, with evidence of meeting or exceeding sales targets
• Very strong administrative skills with extreme attention to detail

• Experience working with markets across different time zones
• Background in export, wholesale, or FMCG distribution environments
• Previous involvement in brand development or market activation projects

• You’re likely to enjoy and excel in this role if you are:
• Strong at building and maintaining relationships over the long term
• Naturally customer-focused and commercially aware
• Quick-thinking and able to respond on your feet to changing situations
• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, multi-market environment
• Highly detail-oriented, even when juggling multiple priorities
• Self-motivated and goal-driven
• Innovative, strategic, and solutions-focused
• Comfortable with technology and new systems
• Flexible about working beyond normal office hours when market demands require it

• You’ll be working in a trade-focused environment that moves high volumes of goods into international markets, where client relationships, speed, and accuracy really matter. You can expect:
• Exposure to multiple international markets and a broad mix of brands
• Close collaboration with senior commercial leaders and decision-makers
• A culture that values market knowledge, service quality, and reliable logistics execution
• Ongoing evolution of systems and processes, giving you the chance to work with new tools and ways of doing things
• To apply, send your CV and a short note highlighting your key account management experience and export or FMCG exposure, in both English and French.