Key Account Manager Metal Fluids

Key Account Manager, Metalworking Fluids (MWF)

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection.

With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved 2 billion CHF in 2025 sales. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,100 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers' success.

As a Key Account Manager, Metalworking Fluids (MWF), you will play a critical role in accelerating growth across Arxada's Material Protection business by developing strategic customer partnerships and delivering differentiated solutions to the global metalworking industry. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven professional with deep industry expertise to shape growth within a key market segment, influence portfolio strategy, and collaborate with talented global teams.

You will combine technical credibility with commercial excellence to create value for customers, expand market share, and help drive sustainable, profitable growth across machining, forming, and industrial metalworking applications.

• Lead execution of the Metalworking Fluids commercial strategy, delivering revenue, volume, and margin objectives across assigned global accounts and regions.
• Build trusted relationships with strategic customers, including formulators, blenders, OEMs, and major industrial manufacturers, creating long-term partnerships and growth plans.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities through account expansion, application development, value-selling initiatives, and market penetration strategies.
• Partner closely with Product Management, Technical Service, R&D, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver outstanding customer experiences and differentiated solutions.
• Lead commercial and technical discussions covering metalworking performance requirements such as corrosion protection, lubricity, tool life, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
• Drive disciplined pipeline management, forecasting accuracy, pricing execution, and CRM excellence while supporting profitable growth initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, customer dynamics, competitive activity, and regulatory developments to identify strategic opportunities and inform business decisions.
• Influence and collaborate across a matrix organization, providing leadership, guidance, and support to internal stakeholders and regional commercial teams.

• 8+ years of progressive commercial experience within metalworking fluids, industrial lubricants, specialty chemicals, metal processing, or related industrial manufacturing sectors.
• Proven track record of managing strategic accounts, leading complex negotiations, and delivering profitable growth.
• Strong understanding of metalworking operations, machining processes, metal forming applications, OEM requirements, and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into compelling customer value propositions and commercial outcomes.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic account planning skills.
• Experience using CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Dynamics, or equivalent systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Willingness to travel internationally (approximately 30-50%) to support customers, projects, and business growth initiatives.

The expected salary range for this role is 150-180k annually, but specific employee compensation may vary depending on factors including experience, education, training, licensure, certification, location and other job-related, non-discriminatory factors permitted by…