Global Key Account Manager

MY04 Troy Chemical Company; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Arxada, a global leader in microbial control solutions, seeks a Regional Key Account Manager for Paints & Coatings in Southeast Asia. You will drive strategic regional growth, manage key stakeholders, and align with global contracts while shaping regional specifications and procurement decisions across ASEAN.

Ideal candidates have SEA market exposure, strong negotiation and pricing skills, and cross-functional collaboration experience within the paints & coatings or specialty chemicals sector.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in key account management or business development within the paint and coatings or specialty chemicals industry.
• Strong ability to manage complex global–regional stakeholder landscapes and influence decision-making across Procurement, Supply Chain, R&D, and Technical functions.
• Commercial acumen with experience in contract negotiations, pricing management, and margin optimization.
• Demonstrated capability to work cross-functionally and drive outcomes in a matrix organization.
• Experience in or strong exposure to Southeast Asian markets, with sensitivity to cultural and business nuances.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for regional headquarters, R&D centers, and manufacturing sites of global paint and coatings customers across Southeast Asia.
• Act as the regional execution partner to Global Key Account Managers, ensuring alignment with global contracts, pricing frameworks, and volume commitments.
• Drive commercial growth and profitability for MCS products by securing existing business and identifying new application opportunities within industrial, decorative, and marine coatings.
• Lead regional contract negotiations, price adjustments, and supply agreements within the global governance framework.
• Provide timely market intelligence on competitive activity, pricing trends, and regulatory developments to inform and refine global account strategies.
• Collaborate closely with supply chain, customer service, and technical teams to ensure reliable supply, accurate forecasting, and successful new product introductions tailored to regional needs.

Skills

Key account management

Business development

Contract negotiations

Pricing management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

SEA market knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection. With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved sales of CHF 2 billion in 2024. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,200 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

As a Regional Key Account Manager – Paints & Coatings in Southeast Asia, you will be a vital part of Arxada’s Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) business, acting as the regional execution arm for global paint and coatings customers. You will drive sustainable commercial growth by translating global strategy into regional success, building trusted partnerships with key stakeholders, and shaping specifications and procurement decisions across ASEAN. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of global strategy, regional execution, and technical collaboration, contributing directly to Arxada’s continued growth in the Paints & Coatings segment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for regional headquarters, R&D centers, and manufacturing sites of global paint and coatings customers across Southeast Asia, building strong and lasting relationships.
• Act as the regional execution partner to Global Key Account Managers, ensuring alignment with global contracts, pricing frameworks, and volume commitments.
• Drive commercial growth and profitability for MCS products by securing existing business and identifying new application opportunities within industrial, decorative, and marine coatings.
• Lead regional contract negotiations, price adjustments, and supply agreements within the global governance framework, balancing margin optimization with long-term partnership stability.
• Provide timely market intelligence on competitive activity, pricing trends, and regulatory developments to inform and refine global account strategies.
• Collaborate closely with supply chain, customer service, and technical teams to ensure reliable supply, accurate forecasting, and successful new product introductions tailored to regional needs.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven experience in key account management or business development within the paint and coatings or specialty chemicals industry.
• Strong ability to manage complex global–regional stakeholder landscapes and influence decision‑making across Procurement, Supply Chain, R&D, and Technical functions.
• Commercial acumen with experience in contract negotiations, pricing management, and margin optimization.
• Demonstrated capability to work cross‑functionally and drive outcomes in a matrix organization.
• Experience in or strong exposure to Southeast Asian markets, with sensitivity to cultural and business nuances.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Business, or a related field; advanced degree is an advantage.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas: Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection. Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

MY04