Sales Key Account Manager

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions: integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT. Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

YOUR CHALLENGES

• Full responsibility for assigned Key Account customers in the UK.
• Establish productive and professional relationships with key personnel in strategic customer accounts.
• Develop quarterly and annual strategic growth plans aimed at increasing market share and driving strategically important corporate objectives.
• Create and maintain detailed account plans for VAT's key & focus customers that reflect the current situation at the customer as well as the strategic goals and clearly defined actions.
• Prepare annual and quarterly sales forecasts for presentations to VAT management.
• Stay abreast of market intelligence and industry trends within the territory.
• Report findings and subsequent opportunities to the VAT management.
• Proactively manage custom engineering projects and act as the liaison between the customer and the Business Unit at VAT HQ.
• Provide technical assistance for product selection, promote the entire range of VAT vacuum products, provide quotes and follow opportunities through to completion at key accounts.
• Participation in regular sales meetings and assistance in determining the short and medium‑term sales planning.
• Complaint recording, forwarding to customer service and ensuring customer‑oriented processing.
• Show unwavering persistence in overcoming obstacles and closing deals, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Frequent direct personal contact with customers is essential.

YOUR COMPETENCIES

• 5 years experience in sales, preferably in the vacuum industry or in related areas such as mechanical engineering, components or similar of the high‑tech industry.
• Experience managing a key account for a publicly traded company preferred.
• Travel activity approx. 60‑70%.
• Must be highly proficient with MS Outlook, MS Excel, CRM software, Office applications, TEAMS and PowerPoint.
• Vacuum Technology and system architecture knowledge required.
• Preferred for scanning electron microscopes (SEM, TEM, etc.) in the scientific industry but also for the thin film coating industry.
• Demonstrated experience driving a corporate sales strategy.
• Must have the ability to work in a team environment, work under pressure and adapt to demands of a changing environment.
• Strong interpersonal, time management, analytical and communication skills, creativity, enthusiasm and a positive can-do approach required.
• High self‑motivation, solution‑oriented thinking, goal‑oriented and success‑oriented action.
• Excellent English language skills - verbal and written. Other languages are an advantage.

Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities

We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.