Sales Manager

AkzoNobel; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global paints and coatings company in Johannesburg is seeking a seasoned professional to identify business opportunities and manage key accounts. The ideal candidate should have over 7 years of experience in the industry, excellent relationship management skills, and fluent English proficiency. This role offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment while driving sales and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, preferably in the paints and coatings industry.
• Experience in B2B channel expansion and distribution management.
• Proficiency in Korean or Chinese is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue business opportunities while resolving existing problems.
• Collaborate with sales and back-office teams to support customer needs.
• Plan and report on major sales activities across various channels.

Skills

Business opportunity identification

Sales strategy deployment

Relationship management

Customer needs analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Innovative account strategies

Fluent English

Education

University degree

MBA

Job description

About AkzoNobel

Since its founding, we’ve been supplying 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 [number] 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 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.

AkzoNobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Key Accountabilities

• Identify and pursue business opportunities, address existing and potential problems, and coordinate resolutions.
• Follow customer movements to protect market share and deploy strategies to increase sales through direct selling and distributor channels.
• Develop and manage strong relationships with existing key accounts and prospects.
• Maintain regular contact with assigned customers at various levels, such as specification writers, OEMs, and contractors.
• Plan, monitor, and report on the execution of major sales activities across indirect and direct sales channels.
• Collaborate with the Customer Technical Service team to analyze customer needs and develop solutions quickly.
• Assist in implementing service solutions, including technical support.
• Gather feedback on product utilization and alignment versus competitors.
• Proactively inform and coordinate with back-office teams (marketing, lab, operations, logistics, finance) to support sales activities.
• Work closely with the Specification Seller team to ensure cohesion and coherence on warranty projects.

Requirements

• University degree; MBA is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; experience in the paints and coatings industry is preferred.
• Experience in B2B channel expansion and distribution management.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to develop innovative account strategies based on customer needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with shared leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Strong listening skills, integrity, customer focus, entrepreneurial spirit, and resilience in facing challenges.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in Korean or Chinese is a plus.
• Excellent decision-making, planning, and organizational skills.

LI-TN1

At AkzoNobel, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can thrive. We embrace diversity and strive to create a tolerant environment. Our talent acquisition process reflects this commitment by training staff on unconscious bias and ensuring fair consideration of all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability.