External Account Manager – Coatings & Construction

External Account Manager

Your Role

As an External Account Manager – Coatings & Construction, you will be responsible for managing and growing an established portfolio of customers within the Coatings & Construction market. The role focuses on strengthening customer relationships, retaining and growing existing business, identifying new customer and product opportunities, and delivering profitable sales growth.

You will work closely with customers and internal stakeholders to understand market requirements, expand Brenntag’s product offering and provide commercially relevant solutions.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow an assigned portfolio of customers within the Coatings & Construction market.

• Maintain and strengthen existing customer relationships while identifying opportunities to increase sales and profitability.

• Identify, develop and convert new customers and business opportunities.

• Broaden Brenntag’s product range with existing and new customers.

• Achieve agreed sales, gross profit and margin targets.

• Develop a strong understanding of customer requirements, applications and purchasing behavior.

• Maintain regular customer engagement through structured visits, calls and follow-ups.

• Promote relevant products and solutions and support customers with product and application information.

• Identify opportunities to introduce short-dated or slow-moving stock where commercially appropriate.

• Maintain an accurate sales pipeline, customer information and forecasts within the relevant CRM/business systems.

• Prepare and submit required sales reports, forecasts and customer visit plans.

• Ensure pricing, quotations and conditions of sale are accurate and up to date.

• Work collaboratively with internal commercial, technical, supply chain and customer service teams to deliver a strong customer experience.

• Adhere to Brenntag policies, procedures and Rules of Procedure (ROP).

• Your Profile

• You are a commercially driven sales professional who enjoys building long-term customer relationships and identifying opportunities for growth. You understand the importance of regular customer engagement, disciplined account management and delivering against sales and profitability targets.

• You are proactive, customer-focused and comfortable developing both existing and new business within a competitive B2B environment.

Skills

• Strong customer relationship and account management skills.
• Commercial awareness with a focus on sales growth, margin and profitability.
• Strong prospecting and new-business development capability.
• Good negotiation and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong planning, organizational and follow-up skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple internal functions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• SAP knowledge advantageous.
• Valid driver's license and own vehicle.

Experience

• 5–8 years' experience in external sales, account management or business development within the chemical, coatings, construction and adhesive industry
• Experience managing a portfolio of customers and delivering against sales and gross profit targets.
• Demonstrated ability to retain and grow existing accounts while developing new business.
• Experience within paints, coatings, adhesives, construction chemicals or related markets would be advantageous.
• Experience working with CRM and sales forecasting systems.

Education

• Matric or equivalent qualification.

• A tertiary qualification in Commerce, Sales, Marketing, Chemistry or a related field.

• SAPMA qualification advantageous.

• Our Offer

• Dynamic multicultural work environment

• Competitive and fair salary

• Retirement savings plan

• Professional development opportunities

• Hybrid work environment

• Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Brenntag TA Team

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• About Brenntag

• Brenntag is the leading global distributor of chemicals and ingredients, committed to connecting customers and suppliers within networks. We add value for our customers and partners every step of the way: through our product knowledge, innovation, and sustainable solutions, combined with our passion for service excellence and commitment to safety.

• Headquartered in Essen, Germany, and with more than 17,500 experts at about 600 locations in 72 countries, our two global divisions, Brenntag Essentials and Brenntag Specialties, offer a full range of industrial and specialty chemicals and ingredients. Therefore, our clients and partners can count on us for global reach combined with local agility and execution.

• As an employer, we embrace diversity and foster a sense of community and collaboration in an environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas and work together. We engage our employees in the company’s mission for collective success, by building long-term stability and safety through trust and clarity across the organization. We believe in empowering our employees to reach their full potential and shape the future.

• For more information, please visit www.brenntag.com