Account Manager South Region

Account Manager, division Hardware/Retail/Do It Yourself

Soudal is Europe's largest independent manufacturer of Sealants, Adhesives and PU foams for both professionals and private users. With now more than 4000 employees, group sales exceeding 1.5 billion USD and over 30 production sites on five continents. This 100% Belgian family-owned business has grown into a global player and expert in chemical products and solutions for construction, retail and industry. For our US operations, based out of Elizabethtown (KY), we are looking for a motivated account manager to join our retail/hardware sales team and support the growth ambitions of the Soudal brand in the US.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the acquisition, maintenance, and growth of assigned distribution and retail accounts. You will drive success by ensuring we continue to drive business at new and existing accounts and 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 to accelerate dealer penetration.
• Bring knowledge of and familiarity with hardware and LBM 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 sales team members with their existing and new business assignments where needed.
• Work with and provide guidance to 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 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 reports on sales activities, results, forecasts and any issues encountered to the upper management.
• Acquire and maintain in-depth knowledge of Soudal products and educate the customers as well as the independent representatives on them.
• 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/Abilities:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience as an Account Manager, or in a merchandising, field sale or marketing role within a hardware/retail/DIY-facing organization.
• Existing relationships with leading hardware and LBM distribution companies.
• 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 hardware/retail/DIY 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 to be in the field at least 60% of the time.

Education and Experience:

Preferred higher education degree in business, marketing, or a related field or equivalent through experience.

Geography:

Soudal USA headquarters is located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Your location would preferably be in the South region (Texas), in or relatively close to any city with a major airport.

Company Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• 11 Paid Holidays

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

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.