Business Manager

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.

Main purpose:

The purpose of this role is to manage and grow the relationship with a strategic global customer generating large revenue by overseeing all aspects of supply, technical service, and toll manufacturing operations. The role ensures seamless coordination with internal teams, the toller/manufacturing partner, and the customer, driving operational excellence, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

The role also supports our Industrial Coatings Customer base and provides Business support for any customer using imported paints supplied by AkzoNobel.

Accountabilities:

• Gather customer needs and requirements in cooperation with Regional and Global organization to help build the customer strategy plans.
• Use reporting tools as CRM, up-dates the key customers’ databases with valid, accurate and complete information (visits reports, action reports, cases, regulatory requests…)
• Deliver periodical progress reports, proactively submit information regarding trends within the market and provide recommendations regarding the improvements in the approach to the market.
• Promote the positive company reputation and develops long-term relations with customers. Hold and defend the values of the company.
• Get familiar with all the applicable corporate as well as site policies/procedures with regard to personal behavior / HSE standards and acts in compliance with all their regulations.
• Support SAP MDG & Production environment at Toller and AkzoNobel to manufacture and supply new and existing paints.
• Support roll-out and technology transfer of Customer specific Regional and Global Technology to Toller as required.
• Embed & maintain Quality Systems at Toller Partner in accordance with Customer and Internal requirements. Regular audits of Toller Partner to ensure compliance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the key customer.
• Build and maintain a strategic partnership, understanding the customer’s business needs, production schedules, and expectations.
• Address all commercial, technical, and operational queries promptly.
• Achieve revenue, margin, and volume targets for the assigned customer.
• Track sales performance, provide forecasts, and plan for demand fluctuations.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and commercial terms within approved guidelines.
• Manage the toll manufacturing partner(s) to ensure timely production and supply of coatings.
• Monitor quality, production schedules, and adherence to agreed specifications.
• Coordinate with technical and quality teams to resolve production or quality issues.
• Collaborate with technical service teams for trials, line troubleshooting, and process optimization at the customer and toller site.
• Ensure smooth transfer of technical knowledge and compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Work closely with supply chain teams to ensure on-time delivery.
• Plan production with toller based on customer forecasts and inventory levels.
• Maintain accurate sales, production, and dispatch records.
• Track customer market trends, competitor activity, and upcoming product requirements.
• Provide regular reports on performance, key issues, and risk mitigation to management.
  
  

Internal relations:

External relations:

• Regional & Global Sales and Marketing Teams
• Customer Service
• Regional R&D
• Local & Regional Technical Service
• Manufacturing
• Marketing
• Functional Support Workstreams (e.g. Supply Chain, IT, Finance, HR)
• Direct customers / future prospects
• Industry stakeholders
• Regional and Global Key Accounts
• Tolling Partner
  
  

Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in science or equivalent
• MBA preferred
• 15-20 years in B2B industrial sales, key account management, or operations management, preferably in coatings, paints, or chemicals.
• Experience managing large accounts or toll manufacturing operations is highly desirable.
• Exposure to technical service support and customer operations management is a plus.
• Strong account management, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Understanding of coating systems, toll manufacturing, and operational workflows.
• Analytical, planning, and forecasting skills.
• Effective communication and coordination skills.
  
  

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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