Ferrous Account Manager

Vesuvius USA; Alabama; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading refractory solutions provider is seeking a motivated individual to manage customer accounts and drive sales in Alabama. This role involves establishing long-term customer relationships, handling customer needs, and coordinating service activities. Candidates should have strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a commitment to safety. The position requires travel up to 75% and working in a steel mill environment. Join us to make an impact on customer satisfaction and business growth.

Qualifications

• Strong business acumen with understanding of sales performance metrics.
• Basic mechanical skills for servicing refractory application equipment.
• Managing multiple issues and projects within specified timeframes.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow customer relationships for increasing sales.
• Communicate effectively with customers at various levels.
• Coordinate customer service activities and technical support.
• Generate new business from existing and potential networks.
• Report on account status and sales targets.
• Coordinate with technical teams for reports and trials.
• Supervise service technicians to meet support needs.
• Manage daily service activities including inventory planning and invoicing.
• Coordinate installation and handling of refractory materials.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in performance, efficiency and profitability.
• Work with support teams to implement emerging technologies.
• Manage all project work at customer sites.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Selling and negotiation skills

Strong reasoning and decision-making skills

Problem solving abilities

Computer skills (Microsoft Office)

Team coordination

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/Outlook/SharePoint)

Job description

This position is responsible for managing and selling Vesuvius products and services provided to the customer. This position will drive customer satisfaction through good service, opportune use of innovative technology, management of operating expenditures, understanding the customer’s needs and good communication at all levels. In addition to customer satisfaction, the position will be responsible for generating and growing acceptable levels of sales and profit for Vesuvius.

Key Result Areas

• Growing business by building successful, long-term customer relationships.
• Managing a portfolio of accounts to achieve long-term success.
• Developing positive relationships with customers.
• Acting as the point of contact and handling customers’ individual needs.
• Generating new business using existing and potential customer networks.
• Resolving conflicts and providing solutions to customers in a timely manner.
• Conduct standard product investigations and coordinate / lead trials and projects; responsible for coordinating with and assisting (technical) team to issue technical reports on all completed investigations and/or projects.
• Where applicable, Account Managers will supervise Service Technicians to ensure support needs are met.
• Reporting on account status.
• Setting and tracking sales account targets, aligning with company objectives.
• Monitoring sales metrics (quarterly sales results and annual forecasts).
• Suggesting and implementing actions to improve sales performance and identify opportunities for growth.
• Manage daily service activities such as:
  • Inventory planning and forecasting.
  • Product usage forecast and delivery schedules.
  • Obtaining and processing appropriate information for timely invoicing.
  • Routine data collection and reporting.
  • May provide preventative and emergency equipment maintenance.
• Coordination of customer’s personnel relative to installation and handling of refractory material.
• Recognizes and acts on opportunities for continuous improvement in:
  • Refractory performance
  • Customer’s efficiency
  • Vesuvius profitability
• Works with technical support teams to implement appropriate emerging technologies.
• Manages all project work at customer’s site.

Knowledge

• Products being supplied.
• Customer’s steelmaking process.
• Customer’s quality processes.
• Vesuvius and customer logistics processes.
• Basic mechanical skills to allow for the service of associated refractory application equipment.
• Strong business acumen with understanding of sales performance metrics.

Skills & Behaviors

• Working safely is a condition of employment. Vesuvius is fundamentally committed to protecting its employees by reducing and eliminating workplace hazards.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Strong reasoning and decision-making skills.
• Selling and negotiation skills.
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office – Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint).
• Ability to recognize and act on continuous improvement opportunities.

Problem Solving & Complexity

• Managing multiple issues and projects within a specified timeframe.
• Managing customer relationships at multiple levels within the customer including plant manager to hourly employees.
• Managing internal communications with commercial, technical and customer service teams, by balancing Vesuvius interest versus customer internal politics.

Physical Demands

• Ability to travel up to 75%.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, vehicles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Hearing protection may be required.
• Exposure to dust and raw materials particles is frequent.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Ability to work within the steel mill environment daily to interact with customers and colleagues.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.