Account Manager - Material Science

Your Role & Responsibilities

Account Managers are responsible for managing the overall sales efforts in their assigned territory to maximize sales and profit. They must utilize frequent face-to-face and/or telephone contact in a consultative sales approach to ensure the satisfaction of customer needs. They must identify selling opportunities and assertively act upon the opportunities that offer maximum potential and/or gross profit - both with existing customers through cross- and range-selling as well as with new leads. They must uphold Brenntag's core values and focus on customer excellence in all regards every day.

Customer Business Development for assigned territory (65%)

• Meet sales objectives and focus on customer retention as well as improving overall customer satisfaction (also through digital channels)
• Identify customer potentials, i.e., opportunities for cross- and range-selling to existing customers and engage relevant stakeholders (e.g., Brenntag Essentials sales staff)
• Set strategies and targets for growth of customers in assigned territory (sales plan); align with Sales Manager
• Frequently conduct customer visits and prepare the meetings using all available tools and reports, coordinate, negotiate and close proposals
• Manage spot business/ rush offers, get support from Commercial Assistant when necessary
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to create in a timely manner the best solution for the customer and extract maximum value (e.g., Sales Management, Industry Marketing Management, Application Development)
• Act as major point of contact to customers in assigned territory in all commercial matters
• Conduct market studies on potential new product opportunities by contacting customers to gather interest and test market demand
• Leverage Brenntag Connect to generate and maximize sales

New customer generation (10%)

• Spot opportunities for launching sales projects in cooperation with other departments like Industry Marketing Management, Application Development and suppliers
• Identify and prioritize prospective customers
• Get in contact with prospects and involve relevant stakeholders to nurture leads down the pipeline
• Liaise with Brenntag Essentials sales staff on customers with new Brenntag Specialties business opportunities

Sales & General Admin (15%)

• Set and maximize prices considering value-based pricing and customer segmentation within guidelines provided by Product Management/ Industry Marketing Management
• Ensure appropriate data administration and documentation of all business cases in the local CRM system (e.g., post processing of visits, creation of customer projects)
• Update and maintain customer opportunity pipelines and potentials in the CRM system
• Complete sales and revenue-related reporting
• Drive commercial and functional excellence based on guidance/ input from Commercial Excellence Function
• Provide regular forecasts of product demand from customers to Industry Marketing Management to optimize projected demand requirements

Know-How Management (10%)

• Maintain an up-to-date level of product, technical, and application knowledge, e.g., via training
• Keep up to date with changes and updates in the product/solution portfolio and in the market

Skills

• Sound computer skills in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and CRM systems
• Superior communication and negotiation skills
• Strong commercial understanding
• High self-management capabilities
• Customer-centric mindset, focusing on creating a positive experience for the customer
• Basic level of strategic thinking (business development, opportunities)
• Frequent travel required as per business needs
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record

Education & Experience

• Preferably Post-Secondary Education with a focus in Business, Science or equivalent
• Experience in the chemical distribution business, preferably in a sales capacity (3 to 5 years previous experience in sales role)
• Product, technical and market knowledge of respective Industry/ Application

Our Offer

• Individual development, on-the-job training, and development programs designed to help our employees grow in their careers
• Paid parental leave
• Education assistance program
• Employee assistance program
• Various healthcare plan options as well as 401(k)