About the Company
Soudal is Europe’s largest independent manufacturer of Sealants, Adhesives and PU foams for both professionals and private users. With over 4000 employees, group sales exceeding 1.68 billion USD and 31 production sites on five continents, this 100% Belgian family business has grown into a global player and expert in chemical construction and industry specialties.
About the Role
For our US operations, based out of Elizabethtown (KY), we are looking for a seasoned and motivated account manager to join our sales team and support the growth ambitions of the Soudal brand in the US, more particularly in the retail/hardware/LBM channels.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the acquisition, maintenance, and growth of assigned distributor accounts.
- You will drive success by ensuring we continue to drive business at new and existing accounts to meet growth expectations.
- Responsible for building and maintaining relationships across all functional areas at the customer’s organization.
- Develop and implement strategies and initiatives to improve sales and profitability, and to accelerate dealer penetration.
- Bring knowledge of accounts, dealers and 2-step distribution.
- Bring a keen understanding of the sales cycle and assist with all new item set-ups, promotions, show planning and overall implementation of such within customer system.
- Support team members with their existing and new business assignments where needed.
- Supervise, provide guidance to and work with independent manufacturer’s reps. This includes setting sales goals; support, influence and drive their sales activities; evaluating performance, and providing feedback and coaching. It also includes working with them on field sales activities (dealer calls, customer-specific initiatives and programs).
- Attend and support the coordination of the dealer Market Shows throughout the year.
- Conduct market research to identify potential sales and product opportunities as well as evaluating customer needs. This includes staying informed about market trends, competitor activities, pricing, competitive threats and the latest products and services.
- Meet and exceed sales targets set by the sales leadership team.
- Provide detailed reports on sales activities, results, forecasts and any issues encountered to the upper management.
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of Soudal products and educate the customers as well as the independent representatives on them. This includes but is not limited to product demonstrations.
- Address potential problems and identify creative solutions, particularly in customer complaints and interpersonal issues. Help resolve customer issues as a liaison between sales and customer service.
- Work closely with other departments within Soudal, such as marketing, customer service, product management and R&D, to ensure a cohesive approach to sales.
- Ensure that all sales operations are conducted in line with Soudal’s policies, core values, ethical code and legal guidelines.
- Additional responsibilities as designated from time to time by superior.
Required Skills
- Minimum 10 years of previous experience as an Account Manager, or equivalent experience in a merchandising, field sale or marketing role within a retail/hardware/LBM-facing organization.
- Existing relationships with leading hardware distributors and/or co-ops.
- Experience with implementing sales and marketing plans with corporate buyers as well as execution of sales strategies with the dealer base.
- Proficiency in various sales techniques and knowledge of the retail/hardware sales process.
- Ability to guide and motivate an independent representatives network. This includes coaching, setting sales targets, and performance evaluation.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and demands in a fast paced, time-sensitive environment and still maintain attention to detail.
- Ability to analyze data and sales statistics, quickly identify and understand trends, and translate results into better solutions.
- Ability to develop strategic sales plans based on the company’s goals that will promote sales growth and customer satisfaction.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships quickly.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills: essential for negotiating and building relationships with clients and for communicating with team members and upper management.
- Proactive and results-oriented with strong organization, negotiation and presentation skills.
- Capability to solve customer issues and internal conflicts effectively.
- Being adaptable and flexible in a constantly changing business environment.
- Proficiency in usage of CRM software.
- Availability to travel and be in the field at least 60% of the time.
- Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
Preferred Skills
- Preferred higher education degree in business, marketing, or a related field or equivalent through experience.
Pay range and compensation package
- Company Benefits
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Vacation Time
- Sick Time
- 11 Paid Holidays
Soudal is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.