Sales Manager

About VAT Group

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 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.

EU Key Account Manager - Scientific Instruments, Netherlands (100%)

Purpose of the Role

As a Key Account Manager for Scientific Instruments in the Netherlands, you will drive business growth and develop strategic relationships with key OEM customers and selected focus accounts. Reporting to the Head of Sales, Advanced Industries Europe, you will combine commercial expertise with technical understanding to strengthen customer partnerships, expand market share, and create long-term business opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop key Scientific Instruments OEM accounts and selected focus customers in the Netherlands, building strong relationships from engineering teams to senior management.

• Define and execute strategic account plans, including growth initiatives, business objectives, and customer development strategies.

• Identify and secure new business opportunities, expand market share, and achieve specification wins for future customer platforms.

• Develop customer and system roadmaps in collaboration with Field Application Engineers, Product Managers, and Business Unit teams.

• Lead commercial activities, including pricing strategies, contract negotiations, and customer agreements.

• Coordinate customer-specific projects and act as the primary interface between customers and VAT's global organization.

• Prepare accurate sales forecasts, monitor account performance, and analyze market trends, competitor activities, and customer developments to identify growth opportunities.

• Collaborate across regions, functions, and business units to ensure effective customer support and promote a ONE VAT culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Several years of proven experience in strategic Key Account Management within an international B2B or OEM environment.

• Strong understanding of vacuum technology, vacuum systems, or related high-technology industries; experience with Scientific Instruments applications such as SEM or TEM is an advantage.

• Proven commercial and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at senior management and executive levels.

• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking, with demonstrated success in developing accounts and driving sustainable business growth.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively in a global matrix organization.

• Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft 365 applications; fluent written and spoken English, with Dutch strongly preferred and German considered an advantage.

• Proactive, customer-focused, and results-driven mindset, with a strong sense of ownership and willingness to travel within the Netherlands, periodically to Switzerland, and internationally as required.