Sales Development Manager (100%)

Kolb Distribution AG; Deutschland; Remote; EUR 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Kolb Distribution AG seeks an international sales professional to drive growth of its chemical surfactant portfolio in Eastern Europe. You will acquire new customers, develop sales, manage allocated accounts and coordinate with Product Management, Marketing and R&D to provide technical support and solutions.

The role requires a chemical degree, proven sales experience in detergents, excellent negotiation skills, and fluency in English; German or French is a plus.

Qualifications

• Chemical degree required.
• Solid sales experience in surfactants for detergent markets (Home Care, I&I).
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Organised with strong teamwork to coordinate with internal departments.
• Fluent in English; German or French or Eastern European language is a plus.
• Willingness to travel 50–60% primarily in Eastern Europe.

Responsibilities

• Drive international sales of chemical surfactants in Eastern Europe.
• Acquire new customers and develop sales in the region.
• Coordinate with Product Management, Marketing and R&D to provide technical support and solutions.
• Maintain margins while increasing sales volume.
• Support in developing new applications and products for focal areas.

Skills

Sales experience

Surfactants knowledge

Negotiation

Teamwork

Communication

English fluency

Travel readiness

Education

Chemical education (FH/Uni)

Job description

Your mission

• International sales of KLK Kolb’s chemical surfactant portfolio
• New customers acquisition and sales development in Eastern Europe region
• Volume, turnover and contribution margin - responsible for the allocated customers in coordination with and as specified by the Business Manager
• Providing intensive application-related consulting and support to existing and new customers in close cooperation with Product Management, Marketing, Research & Development and other business units
• Cultivating and developing long‑term customer relations and acquiring new customers; developing new areas of application and introducing new products and technical solutions in the allocated focal areas
• Assuring sustainable, profitable growth in the corresponding markets through actively collaborating in the development and implementation of operational measures and projects in cooperation with the appropriate internal departments
• Market and competitor observation and market potential analyses; developing authoritative plans on short and mid‑term business development
• Drawing up bids; pricing in line with internal specifications; reporting and correspondence in line with internal specifications
• Initiating and coordinating the implementation of solutions in defined business areas; assuring the provision of final reports to customers
• Maintaining margins while simultaneously increasing the sales volume
• Collaborating in strategic projects in accordance with specifications issued by the Commercial Team Management
• Complaint handling in close cooperation with the relevant internal departments
• Attending seminars, conventions and trade fairs including booth supervision

Your profile

• Chemical education (FH/Uni)
• Solid experience in sales or another customer‑related activity in the field of surfactants for detergent markets such as Home Care and I&I. Experience in Personcal Care and/or other technical markets such as coatings, EP, Agro, MWF, lubricants and textile is a plus
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a confident demeanour
• You can organise yourself well and have high team competences in order to achieve optimal results for our customers in cooperation with other internal departments
• Connected thinking, able to grasp complex information and communicate in a concise manner
• Fluency in English is needed; additionally fluency in French or German, Eastern European Language skill is a plus
• Willingness to travel up to 50%-60%, primarily in Eastern Europe

Our offer

• A challenging, versatile and responsible job in a rapidly growing international company
• Working place/employment remote, basis in Eastern Part of Germany
• A professional, established organisation with an open, international and creative working environment
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Attractive employment conditions