Sales Manager Job Listing at Kraton Corporation in Almere, FL (Job ID 0E6B3E29-4AEB-4)

Description

Make a +Difference at Kraton!

At Kraton, we make a Positive Difference, and we are looking for individuals who are also looking to make a difference in their jobs, for our customers and to the world.  We are looking to hire a key member of our Tires Sales team at our Almere location.

The Sales Manager in the Tires team will work with our clients in the Tires industry. The customers will geopgraphically be in EMEA but are mostly acting globally. It's a very dynamic environment were a lot of specific knowledge is needed to excel in the job, hence we are looking for someone who already has experience in this business. The relationships you will build with customers are sustainable and long-term with a lot of focus on their specific products and security of supply.

The tires group is relatively small, but very diverse with unique expertise in the business from which you can gain a lot of knowledge and experience. Although you will work in Almere, the group is very globally focused. 

Do you recognize yourself in the description below? We are looking forward to your application and discussing your interest and motivation!
 

Strategy:

• Execute sales plans in alignment with global sales strategy and regional plans.
• Develop account strategies to maximize business growth and meet customer's needs.
• Liaise with regional leader and regional account holder on best approach to implement account strategies.
• Coordinate all commercial activities (pricing, product changes, transitions, contracts, special deals, etc.).
• Discusses and informs customers on innovation activities.

Customer Engagement:

• Manage the relationship with the customer, build and maintain strong relationships with strategic buyers and key influencers/advisors across the customer's organization
• Coordinate with internal teams (Customer Service/Fulfilment, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and others) to meet customer needs or solve customer issues; escalate when necessary.
• Analyze customers' business to better understand what is required to meet expected goals. Define customer needs and product value end use.
• Understand the “voice of the customer” and share insights with key internal stakeholders.
• Report results, trends, gaps, competitor landscape, etc.

Pricing:

• Formulate pricing strategies in conjunction with sales leadership.
• Understand customer's next best alternatives when formulating pricing strategy for the business. 
• Negotiate with customer. Ensure that the strategies are properly implemented.  
• Develop negotiation skills.
• Provide feedback to sales leader and marketing.

Pipeline:

• Develop portfolio of projects/opportunities and manage pipeline.
• Identify incremental opportunities but may need support to close deals.
• Discuss opportunities with R&D, Product Management and Marketing.
• Maintain data in systems to enable effective pipeline management (i.e. CRM, Innovation tracking, etc.).

Account Plans:

• Build and manage account plan for key customers.
• Track progress and communicate results.
• Manage contracts, rebates and specification requirements.  
• Developing some understanding of what the customer values in our business relationship.  
• Drive to be less transactional and more value driven.   
• Escalate need for additional customer support (packaging/quality/R&D, etc.)

Forecast and Product Allocation:

• Collaborate with Sales Leader to analyze forecasts and set challenging targets for each customer.
• Update forecast based on customer feedback on a timely basis.
• Discuss availability openly with customer and manage risks.
• Inform major stakeholders of big changes.
   

• 5+ year's relevant experience.
• Relevant experience in the Tire or Compounding business – ideally a mix between technical and commerical experience.
• Able to understand the technical side of the products and able to discuss this with the customers.
• Collaborate and align with Technical-, Marketing- and Sales teams to accomplishing company goals.
• Able to work on longer term goals, building strong and sustainable relationships with customers.
• Relationship manager; able to build trust with customers by keeping quick and reliable service in the highest regard.
• Able to seize opportunities that are not only about a quick win, but a strategic win – patience and strategic thinking are key.
• Able to close deals with long-term outlook – independent judgement in competitive pricing and selling skills.

• A chance to make a real positive difference in the industry.
• A supportive work environment that values teamwork and collaboration.
• Opportunity to work with a talented and diverse team of professionals in the field.
• Continuous learning and development opportunities to enhance your skills.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Technical bachelors' degree (or equivalent) required

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification.  Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Kraton's internal talent acquisition team manages our recruiting efforts and from time to time works with pre-selected/pre-approved external staffing agencies. We do NOT accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from recruiters and/or agencies who are not pre-selected/pre-approved.

Kraton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.