National Key Account Manager - Sports Segment

Company Description

Want to join a company with a century-long tradition of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that pushes the limits of the smart lighting industry? A company that requires employees to broaden their expertise to not only light urban environments but also deliver services for engaging and interactive public spaces, including sport. With a rich heritage in engineering, environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable lighting has always been part of our DNA. With connectivity more vital more ever, as Experts in Lightability™, we propose lighting infrastructure that will play a pivotal role in building Smart Cities. A family-owned Belgian company with headquarters in Brussels and R&D center in Liège, we are present in over 70 countries on 5 continents.  

Will you take the challenge? Let’s light up the future together! 

Job Description

To strengthen the commercial team, we are looking for a National Key Account Manager - Sports Segment with main office in Bornem, Belgium and necessity to come in Liège office as well.

He/She actively contributes to the development of the Sports segment and to strengthening the company’s market positioning in sports lighting applications in Belgium. He/She reports directly to Commercial Director for Belgium.

What you will do:

As National Key Account Manager - Sports Segment, you will:

• Manage and develop a portfolio of high-potential sports customers and prospects, including stadiums, sports clubs, arenas, training centers, municipalities, consultants, and sports infrastructure operators. Build long-term relationships and maximize value creation for the company.

• Build and manage customer-specific business plans: analyze customer challenges, identify growth opportunities (new facilities, renovations, upgrades, energy efficiency projects), align with Sport Global Business Segment Manager and propose tailored lighting solutions aligned with customer needs.

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders in the sports industry, including clubs, federations, consultants, architects, operators and specifiers, and as well sport local stakeholders and contractors to strengthen the company’s market presence, identify new project opportunities and support long-term growth within the segment.

• Act as the primary point of contact for customers and coordinate interactions with internal teams (regional sales team and one Sport Sales Specialist in Wallonia, marketing, technical teams, sales administration, customer support, logistics, after-sales service) to ensure a seamless and consistent customer experience.

• Facilitate communication, anticipate and manage potential points of friction, ensure a high level of customer satisfaction, and strengthen customer loyalty.

• Ensure compliance with contractual commitments, monitor orders and projects, keep offers and opportunities up to date in the CRM, and intervene when necessary in the management of overdue payments in coordination with relevant departments.

• Monitor and analyze performance indicators (revenue, margin, profitability, sales forecasts), ensure accurate reporting, and contribute to the achievement of sales objectives.

• Lead complex negotiations, manage framework agreements, renewals and pricing conditions, while safeguarding the company’s interests.

• Leverage technical and commercial support teams (lighting design, photometry, sales administration, technical service, after-sales service) to design and deliver sports lighting projects that meet customer expectations, on time and to the required quality standards.

• Conduct active market and competitive monitoring within the sports infrastructure sector, understand segment evolution, anticipate trends and regulatory requirements, and propose innovations or improvement initiatives to strengthen the company’s market position.

Qualifications

At Schréder, entrepreneurship and a growth mindset are essential. It's not just about who you are but who you want to become with us. 

Skills Requested

• Master’s degree in business management, engineering, marketing or sales.
• Minimum 5 years of Sport experience, including significant experience in Key Account / Strategic Account management, in sport installations.
• A technical background or strong affinity with technical solutions is an asset.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Key account management: needs analysis, account planning and execution, identification of growth opportunities, KPI tracking.
• Strong command of complex sales cycles and high-value negotiations.
• Ability to build reliable sales forecasts and manage commercial performance.
• Capability to sell value over price.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with internal teams (marketing, finance, supply chain, technical teams).
• Solid understanding of technical offerings and customer market environments.
• Proficiency in CRM/ERP tools (D365) and Microsoft Office.
• Good proficiency level in Dutch, French & English.

Soft Skills

• Excellent listening, analytical and communication skills.
• Strong customer and results orientation, with a proactive growth mindset.
• Autonomy, strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proactive, curious, solution-oriented and initiative-driven.
• Ability to influence and engage without direct line management, with resilience and perseverance.

Additional Information

At Schréder, every employee is valued for his or her skill set. We actively look for and choose employees based on their experience and the value they bring to the company. 

What we have waiting for you 

• A positive work environment : You can expect to work in an environment that is safe, supportive, and free from discrimination or harassment.  
• Flexibility at work : For all functions that allow it, we encourage hybrid working, as working in person and remotely has benefits.  
• Growth opportunities : You will be part of a global company that encourages your employees to learn and develop daily and pursue their career goals at Schréder. Our soul is entrepreneurial, so take some risks, allow yourself to get out of your comfort zone and grow with us! 
• Open communication : We encourage open communication between employees and managers and feedback and suggestions between all organisational levels. 
• Shared purpose : If you will be here with us, we share the same values.  
• Deeper connections : We are friendly and open to those who arrive, see great value in our differences and diversity, and work together with trust and collaboration. 

On top of that, in addition to a competitive and attractive compensation package, we offer a great number of extra-legal advantages such as flexible working hours, structural homeworking, a market competitive salary, performance bonus, company car, meal vouchers, eco vouchers, pension provision, medical & hospitalization insurance, net allowances and cafetaria plan. 

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion 

Respect is one of our Values. Our commitment to inclusivity goes hand in hand with our dedication to sustainability and the environment. Inclusivity is part of who we are, so we encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

At Schréder, we commit ourselves to co-creating an environment where passionate people work and win together, learn and have fun. Let Join us!