Senior Key Account Manager Foodservice Trade Benelux

We are looking for a Senior Key Account Manager Trade UFS Benelux

Division: Unilever Food Solutions

Job title: Senior Key Account Manager Trade Benelux

Direct reports: 1

Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands or Brussels, Belgium

Full time, local employment conditions apply

BUSINESS CONTEXT

At Unilever Food Solutions (UFS), we help chefs and foodservice professionals focus on what they do best by providing innovative products, services, and inspiration. We offer culinary convenience products and solutions to professional Chefs, we serve Independent and Chain Operators in the Institutional Segment (Health, Canteens, Schools & Governmental) as well as in the Commercial Segment (Hotels, Restaurants, Snack bars, Butcher/Traiteurs).

As Senior Key Account Manager, you will be at the centre of our commercial strategy, managing partnerships that have a significant impact on business growth and customer success. You will be responsible for developing strategic partnerships with our largest wholesale partners, Sligro/Van Hoeckel in the Netherlands and Sligro/Java in Belgium, which represent a significant share of the Benelux business.

This role offers extensive exposure to senior customer stakeholders, cross-functional collaboration, and opportunities to influence commercial strategy. Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise in strategic account management, strengthen your leadership capabilities, or grow your career within a global food business, this position provides a strong platform for development and long-term success.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute joint business plans with Sligro Benelux, driving sustainable growth, market share, and long-term strategic collaboration.
• Responsible for negotiation and closing of the contracts, ensuring commercial investments and customer agreements deliver measurable business value and return on investment
• Following successful onboarding, the role will include leadership responsibility for one direct report.
• Cash Management: close monitoring of overdues, price and logistic claims in collaboration with Finance and internal teams.
• Secure and retain complete range listings (incl. listings & stocking of all new product introductions), promotional listings and price increases.
• Planning and superior execution of the agreed ‘on and offline’ activation & promotion plans in cooperation with Trade Marketing. If required selectively tailored, to increase relevancy for the customer.
• Development of Category Management projects  in collaboration with Trade Marketing.
• Implementation of the Digital and eCommerce strategy & plans, tailored to eCom plans of this Strategic Partner, to drive digital buying behavior of both visited & non visited operators & deliver e-commerce turnover.
• Analysis of customer results & data: selling in vs selling out, digital, category & product results, forecasting.
• Building strong relationship with sales management, sales and tender teams of Sligro in both countries.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPECTATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Business, Commercial Management, Marketing, Sales, or a related field.
• Proven experience in Key Account Management, Sales, Business Development, Category Management, or a similar customer-facing commercial role.
• Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and drive mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, with experience interpreting sales data, financial performance, and market insights to support decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, with fluency in Dutch and English (French is a plus).
• Willing to travel to both Belgium and the Netherlands weekly (customer meetings, events, Cash & Carry visits, etc).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience within foodservice, hospitality, food manufacturing, wholesale, retail, or consumer goods industries.
• Understanding of digital commerce, customer engagement strategies, and online sales environments.
• Experience working within international and cross-functional business environments.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?
Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package: excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme
• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever
• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained
• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy
• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate. For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office, you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products
• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products 
• My Fitness Plan (deduction on your Fitness Subscription)
• Home working allowance
• Company laptop and mobile phone
• Green Mobility Policy

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, please do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a cover letter. Your application will be reviewed against our requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you! 

Please note this is Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against. By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages applications from all genders. If you are looking for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

Please save a copy of this vacancy for personal use as it will disappear from the website after closing of the role.

Earlier this year (March 2026), Unilever announced an agreement to separate our Foods business. Our Foods business, including brands such as Hellmann's and Knorr, will join forces with McCormick to become a global flavour leader, with leading positions across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by a strong retail and foodservice platform. McCormick has 135+ years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to consultation, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions with a targeted deal close of mid-2027.

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