Sales/Business Manager (Food/Drinking Water Applications)

Job Highlights

• Provide marketing and sales support for product portfolio development in the North American markets, including market intelligence, key account, distribution and territory management for Food/Drinking Water market segment development, including pricing strategies in accordance to the BU Liquid Purification Technology (LPT) guidance.
• Provide input to the marketing plans, forecast and budget as needed according to LPT strategy, considering the input from Field Sales Representatives, Distributors and Agents for the accuracy of the sales monthly forecast. Coordinate and support internal processes like customer care concept, CRM documentation, internal technical trainings, quarterly business segment reviews with Headquarter, product development and introduction to new applications.
• Understand the key markets drivers, adapt a marketing strategy, understand new product developments and market trends to gain competitive advantage. Travel within NA to visit and assist customers, support the sales team with related information to the segment portfolio and applications. Assist with negotiations and closing new business, getting all the support needed from marketing teams, both in the region and from the global headquarter.
• Prepare sales and marketing analysis reports about the Business Segment, plans and marketing initiatives for increasing market share, growth and competition analysis, including but not limited to participation in technical, trade and distribution shows, commercial and technical conferences.
• Update and amend, as needed, distribution and agency agreements, including pricing, documenting the business performance, reporting sales and market development through these partners.
• Maintain customer databases as well as product portfolio needs by applications, including tracking of customer visits, samples, trials, quotes, complaints and activities towards sales closure and increasing the regional sales. Investigate and develop new customers (including cold calls as needed) within Food and Drinking Water market segment according to LPT global strategy. Partnering with OEM’s, engineering companies and distributors involved in related applications to the market segment.

Requirements

• Bachelors in Chemical Engineer or equivalent. Marketing and finance knowledge and experience of advantage, Master degree of advantage
• 10+ years of experience
• Strong skills in the areas: project management, planning, organizing, negotiation, coordinating, controlling and innovation.
• Self-management: be able to operate independently with guidance where necessary with minimum supervision.
• Ability to cope with occasional stress, for example, urgent timelines, product shortage, customer requests.
• Communication skills: both verbal and written are critical.
• Familiarity with LANXESS systems such as order entry, pricing, accounting, costing (SAP environment).
• Have a general understanding of regulatory and product safety information (including TSCA, DSL) and how this relates to each product and application of the business segment.
• Computer Skills: MS Office, SAP, Lotus Notes, CRM, April Star.
• Use of confidential information on a confidential and professional manner.