External Account Manager - Coatings & Construction

About the role

Brenntag is looking for an External Account Manager for its Coatings & Construction market. You will manage and grow an established portfolio of customers, strengthen relationships, retain and grow existing business, identify new customer and product opportunities and deliver profitable sales growth. You will work closely with customers and internal stakeholders to understand market needs and expand Brenntag's product offering.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and grow an assigned portfolio of customers in the Coatings & Construction market.
• Maintain and strengthen existing customer relationships while increasing sales and profitability.
• Identify, develop and convert new customers and business opportunities.
• Broaden the product range with existing and new customers.
• Achieve agreed sales, gross profit and margin targets.
• Understand customer requirements, applications and purchasing behaviour.
• Engage customers regularly through visits, calls and follow-ups, and promote relevant products and solutions.
• Introduce short-dated or slow-moving stock where commercially appropriate.
• Maintain an accurate sales pipeline, customer information and forecasts in the CRM/business systems.
• Prepare and submit sales reports, forecasts and customer visit plans.
• Keep pricing, quotations and conditions of sale accurate and up to date.
• Work with commercial, technical, supply chain and customer service teams to deliver a strong customer experience.

Required profile

• 5-8 years of experience in external sales, account management or business development in the chemical, coatings, construction and adhesive industry.
• Experience managing a customer portfolio and delivering against sales and gross profit targets.
• Experience in paints, coatings, adhesives, construction chemicals or related markets is advantageous.
• Experience with CRM and sales forecasting systems is advantageous.
• Matric or equivalent qualification; a tertiary qualification in Commerce, Sales, Marketing, Chemistry or a related field is preferred.
• SAPMA qualification is advantageous.
• Valid driver's licence and own vehicle.

Required skills

• Customer relationship and account management skills.
• Prospecting and new-business development.
• Negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Planning, organisation and analytical problem-solving.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM systems; SAP knowledge is advantageous.

What we offer

• Dynamic multicultural work environment.
• Competitive and fair salary.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Hybrid work environment.