UK Distribution Account Manager

Sherwin-Williams; Biggleswade; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherwin-Williams in the UK is seeking a Distribution Account Manager to grow profitable business through strategic management of automotive distribution partners. You will build strong customer relationships, deliver commercial objectives, and expand market presence across the automotive aftermarket channel.

You will develop account plans, negotiate terms, lead product launches, and collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance to drive growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in field sales or key account management.
• Experience managing distributors, wholesalers, or strategic accounts.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Willingness to travel across the UK (up to 80%).
• Degree or professional qualification in Business, Sales, Marketing, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic account plans to achieve sales, profitability, and market share targets.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers across distributor and channel partner networks.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities within existing and prospective distribution accounts.
• Negotiate trading agreements, pricing structures, rebates, and commercial terms.
• Conduct regular business reviews and implement action plans to drive account performance.
• Grow product penetration and support the expansion of core and strategic product categories.
• Analyse market trends, customer performance, and sales data to identify growth opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Deliver accurate sales forecasts, pipeline updates, and account performance reporting.
• Lead customer engagement activities, including product launches, promotions, training, and joint sales initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, and Technical teams to deliver best-in-class customer solutions.
• Act as the voice of the customer, providing market insights and recommendations to support business growth.
• Support route-to-market development, stock optimisation, and service level improvements across distribution partners.

Skills

Field sales

Key account management

Negotiation

Relationship management

Travel up to 80%

Driving licence

Education

Business/Marketing degree

Job description

Job Description

The Distribution Account Manager is responsible for driving profitable growth through the strategic management of key automotive distribution partners across the UK. This role focuses on developing strong customer relationships, delivering commercial objectives, and expanding market presence within the automotive aftermarket channel.

The Distribution Account Manager is responsible for driving profitable growth through the strategic management of key automotive distribution partners across the UK. This role focuses on developing strong customer relationships, delivering commercial objectives, and expanding market presence within the automotive aftermarket channel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic account plans to achieve sales, profitability, and market share targets.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers across distributor and channel partner networks.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities within existing and prospective distribution accounts.
• Negotiate trading agreements, pricing structures, rebates, and commercial terms.
• Conduct regular business reviews and implement action plans to drive account performance.
• Grow product penetration and support the expansion of core and strategic product categories.
• Analyse market trends, customer performance, and sales data to identify growth opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Deliver accurate sales forecasts, pipeline updates, and account performance reporting.
• Lead customer engagement activities, including product launches, promotions, training, and joint sales initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, and Technical teams to deliver best-in-class customer solutions.
• Act as the voice of the customer, providing market insights and recommendations to support business growth.
• Support route-to-market development, stock optimisation, and service level improvements across distribution partners.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in field sales, key account management, or a commercial role.
• Experience managing distributors, wholesalers, or strategic customer accounts.
• Strong commercial negotiation, business development, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the UK (up to 80%).
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Experience within Automotive Refinish, Automotive Aftermarket, Paints & Coatings, Collision Repair, or related industries.
• Degree or professional qualification in Business, Sales, Marketing, or a related discipline.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially focused sales professional to drive growth, strengthen customer partnerships, and contribute to the success of a leading automotive business.

Salary range for this role is 58to 65k GBP

About Us

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people.

• Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being
• Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution
• Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities

It's all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

Eligibility to Work

You will need to provide proof of right to work. It is a condition of any offer of employment we make to you that you have the permission to work in the country for the role for which you are applying for.

Equal Opportunity Employer

An equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, colour, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic or national origin, disability, age pregnancy or maternity, marital or civil partner status, or any other protected characteristic prohibited by law.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.