Technical Sales Representative

AkzoNobel; Christchurch; Remote; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AkzoNobel New Zealand is seeking a motivated Technical Sales Representative to drive profitable growth in the marine coatings market. You will build strong relationships with customers, applicators, shipyards and vessel owners, combining commercial and technical capabilities to identify opportunities and provide hands-on support through product selection, application and service.

You will play a key role in protecting marine assets, improving coating performance and lifecycle costs, while

Qualifications

• Experience in marine coatings or protective coatings preferred but not required.
• NACE/AMPP CIP Level 1 certification preferred but not required.
• Strong customer service, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel to customer sites, shipyards and project locations.
• Valid legal right to work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with marine customers, applicators, shipyards and vessel owners.
• Identify, develop and convert sales opportunities to achieve revenue and margin targets.
• Recommend marine coating systems based on project requirements.
• Provide technical support across product selection, surface prep, coating application and service.
• Prepare quotations, proposals and commercial recommendations in line with company requirements.
• Maintain accurate forecasts, pipelines and customer records.

Skills

Customer service

Relationship building

Communication

Independent remote work

Commercial acumen

Willingness to travel

Technical knowledge development

Right to work NZ

Health & safety awareness

Education

High school diploma

Job description

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com

© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

About The Role

We are looking for a motivated Technical Sales Representative to join our team and drive profitable growth in the marine coatings market.

In this role, you will build strong relationships with customers, applicators, shipyards, vessel owners and other key stakeholders. You will combine your commercial and technical capabilities to identify sales opportunities, recommend the right coating solutions, and provide hands‑on technical support throughout product selection, application and service.

You will play an important role in helping customers protect their marine assets, improve coating performance and application efficiency, and reduce lifecycle costs, while achieving agreed revenue, margin, market‑share and customer satisfaction objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with marine customers, applicators, shipyards, vessel owners and other key stakeholders.
• Identify, develop and convert sales opportunities to achieve revenue, margin and market‑share targets.
• Recommend technically and commercially appropriate marine coating systems based on customer, asset and project requirements.
• Provide responsive technical support across product selection, surface preparation, coating application, inspection and service.
• Support customers to improve coating performance, application efficiency, asset protection and lifecycle costs.
• Prepare quotations, proposals, specifications and commercial recommendations in line with company requirements.
• Monitor customer needs, market trends, competitor activity and project opportunities to identify opportunities for business growth.
• Work closely with internal sales, technical, operations and supply teams to ensure effective delivery and high-quality customer service.
• Resolve customer technical and commercial issues promptly and professionally.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, opportunity pipelines, customer records and activity reports.
• Ensure all activities comply with company HSE, quality, technical and commercial policies.

What We're Looking For

• High School Diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in marine coatings, protective coatings or a related industry is preferred but not essential.
• NACE/AMPP Coating Inspector Program (CIP) Level 1 certification is preferred but not required.
• Strong customer service, communication and relationship-building skills.
• A commercially minded approach with the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities.
• Ability to work independently in a remote role while operating within company policies and delegated authority.
• Willingness and ability to develop strong technical knowledge of marine coating systems and their applications.
• A valid legal right to work in New Zealand.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel to customer sites, shipyards and project locations as required.
• Physically capable of safely undertaking inspection activities in dry‑dock and shipyard environments, including vessel access, climbing ladders and stairs, working at heights and working in confined spaces while wearing required PPE.

Why Join Us

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with customers, solving technical challenges and developing their commercial capability in the marine coatings industry. You will have the opportunity to build strong industry relationships, develop specialist technical knowledge and contribute directly to the growth and success of the business.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.