Specification Manager

AkzoNobel; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in paints and coatings in Johannesburg is seeking a Sales Specialist. Responsibilities include managing client specifications, building strong networks with architects, and driving growth within the architectural segment. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and 4-6 years of relevant sales experience, preferably in the paints and coatings industry. This role emphasizes customer satisfaction and strategic market growth.

Qualifications

• 4-6 years relevant experience in sales, specifically in the paints and coatings industry.
• Strong background in technical expertise and sales strategies.
• Knowledge of Chemistry and Engineering related to paints and coatings.

Responsibilities

• Sell the specification of AkzoNobel products to architects and designers.
• Manage relationships with key architects, consultants, and developers.
• Prepare and report on architecture projects data base monthly.
• Deliver periodical business reviews and sales support plans.

Skills

Sales expertise

Technical knowledge of paints and coatings

Proficiency in CRM systems

Microsoft Office skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical or scientific field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

About AkzoNobel

Since , 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 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.

Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Job Purpose

Selling the specification of AkzoNobel products as well as in-depth knowledge to manage the assortment portfolio for specifiers (architects, consultants, designers, fabricators), work closely with client’s specs to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.

This position is responsible to achieve 25% of direct sales management, increase AkzoNobel hit rate 40% enhancing our market share.

This role is crucial for driving growth momentum across Architectural segment.

Key Accountabilities

• Establish a strong network with consultants, alum. fabricators, applicators and developers.
• Build up and improve our relations with key architects / consultants / designers / developers / fabricators.
• Implement tight specification concept to lead and enhance our market share.
• Provide training and technical support to customers on product features, benefits, and application processes.
• Increase our hit rate (50%) related to Architecture segment.
• Set Architecture segment BP, 3-5 years.
• Prepare and report Architecture projects data base and be assessed on monthly basis.
• Implement Architecture Projects KPIs on monthly basis (# of approvals / # of awards / # of must win projects list).
• Improve our buy / sell hierarchy process with key customers.
• Improve the product awareness (Educate our customers) to consultants, alum. fabricators, applicators and developers.
• Sell up AkzoNobel adding value products (ultra-premium / premium).
• Rolls-out the sales management programs related to the assigned Key Accounts.
• Works closely with marketing to analyze present and future market trends and customer feedback for market segmentation and planning to aim for further market penetration.
• Applies the agreed sales strategies / key account management process towards the selected key prospects; negotiates terms and conditions of contracts.
• Provides feedback to understand how customers are utilizing our products and how well those products align versus competitive products. Primarily focusing on key accounts.
• Implements marketing strategies and deploys into key accounts.
• Inputs to price settlement, carries out negotiations with key accounts. Monitors and feeds back competitive pricing to marketing, with responsibility for implementation.
• Inputs demand forecast for key account sales plans. Feeds demand forecast to operations for tactical use and marketing for strategic (product planning) use.
• Delivers periodical business reviews and actively participates in the development of business growth and sales support plans for the designated customers.
• Plans, monitors, participates in and reports on the execution of the sales activities conducted regarding the designated customers.
• Cascades the information to the designated customers on the features and benefits of the available products / services.
• Systematically updates the customers’ databases with valid, accurate and complete customer-related information into CRM.
• Comply with QHSE (quality, health, safety & environment) policies and procedures.

Experience

• Educational Level : Bachelor’s degree (preferably in a technical or scientific field) with 4-6 years of relevant experience.
• Essential Experience : Strong background in Sales and Technical Expertise in the Paints and Coatings industry or similar.
• Preferable Experience : Exposure to Marketing, Business Development, and PMP certification.
• Core Skills : Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office.
• Desirable Experience : Knowledge of Paints & Coatings technology, Chemistry, and Engineering.

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.

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