Account Manager-Commercial & Consumer(Kenya)

Bridgestone; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tire manufacturer seeks an experienced Account Manager for commercial and consumer tires in South Africa. You will drive sales growth and develop partnerships with fleets and dealers. Candidates should have 5–8 years of sales experience, preferably in the automotive sector, and be fluent in English and Swahili. This full-time role requires a strategic thinker focused on results.

Benefits

Supportive onboarding

Training and mentorship

Diverse and inclusive team

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 5–8 years in sales or account management, including 3+ years in the tyre or automotive sector.
• Proficient in CRM/ERP tools and Microsoft Office.
• Fluent in English and Swahili; local languages an asset.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales growth, profitability, and partner development.
• Manage relationships with fleets, dealers, and OEMs.
• Develop and execute sales and marketing plans.
• Optimize pricing and service offerings.

Job description

POSITION SNAPSHOT

Type of work: On site

Type of contract: Open-ended/permanent

Full/Part Time: Full time

Location: KE

ABOUT US

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a “Bridgestone West” strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

ABOUT THE ROLE

About the Role

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Branch Manager – SSA in Nairobi, the Account Manager – Commercial & Consumer Tyres will be responsible for driving sales growth, profitability, and partner development across key MEA markets. The role involves managing relationships with fleets, dealers, and OEMs, developing and executing sales and marketing plans aligned with BSMEA’s strategy, and optimizing the product mix, pricing, and service offerings to strengthen market presence. The Account Manager will deploy digital tools and Total Tyre Care solutions, collaborate with marketing, supply chain, and technical teams, and provide market intelligence through timely reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement business strategies to build profitable, long-term relationships and identify new revenue opportunities across major accounts.
• Formulate and execute comprehensive sales and marketing plans aligned with BSMEA’s growth objectives.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable plans to drive sustainable business performance.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of market channels, competition, pricing dynamics, and product portfolio across both commercial and consumer tyre segments.
• Manage and strengthen relationships with distributors, key accounts, fleets, and OEM partners.
• Drive key account management initiatives to maximize customer satisfaction and retention.
• Optimize profitability for both distributors and BSMEA through effective pricing, mix management, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with the supply chain team to ensure smooth product flow and inventory management across 500+ SKUs.
• Oversee daily operations and ensure timely resolution of business and logistical issues.
• Contribute to market share growth and brand presence for Bridgestone, Firestone, and secondary brands across all markets.
• Conduct regular market intelligence reviews and performance assessments of distributors to inform business decisions.
• Engage proactively with sales channels, distribution partners, fleets, and key decision-makers to strengthen market position (approximately 70% of time).
• Coordinate internally to enhance stock optimization and improve product availability.
• Partner with distributors to plan and execute impactful promotions and ensure effective utilization of marketing funds.
• Drive long-term business growth by promoting integrated solution contracts and value-based partnerships.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s in Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Certification in Sales or Key Account Management an advantage.

Experience

• 5–8 years in sales or account management, including 3+ years in the tyre or automotive sector.
• Proven record in B2B/B2C sales, distribution, and key client management.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of PCR, TBR, and OTR tyre segments preferred
• Proficient in CRM/ERP tools and Microsoft Office.
• Strong analytical, pricing, and negotiation skills.

Languages

• Fluent in English and Swahili; local languages an asset.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and relationship management.
• Strategic thinker, results-driven, and customer-focused.
• Team player with integrity and adaptability.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Bridgestone, what really matter is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive payment; we will provide you:

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
• A diverse and inclusive team.

We are committed to create an even more inclusive culture that advances equity, embraces individuality, and helps our increasingly diverse teammates, customers, and communities thrive, by providing equal opportunities in employment. This means that all job applicants and members of staff will receive equal treatment and that we will not discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, color, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.