Area Sales Manager

Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.

We are seeking a Strategic Sales Manager to join our Coatings division in Port Melbourne, Victoria. This role is critical in planning, implementing, and directing sales efforts through independent distributors, focusing on developing a robust and effective distribution network. The position balances market share growth with improving return on investment, working closely with Logistics, Technical, and Finance functions to ensure company goals are met.

• Manage and develop sales by training and leading distributor sales staff.
• Ensure sales support tools are available and integrated into the selling process.
• Achieve annual sales objectives in both volume and value.
• Seek out new customers aligned with the company's long-term strategy.
• Develop business with Regional Key Accounts.

• Ensure the distribution network is comprehensive and covers the entire market.
• Train and direct distributors effectively.
• Implement and manage annual business plans with every distributor and branch.

• Provide ongoing training for new and existing distributor staff, focusing on a customer-centric, needs-based selling process.
• Offer continuous coaching to all distributor salespeople in selling skills, sales processes, and using sales tools.
• Control expenses within the planned budget.
• Assist the Finance Department in achieving targeted Accounts Receivable levels.

• Follow company vehicle usage guidelines.
• Ensure all distributor staff are properly trained in Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) issues related to AkzoNobel CR products.
• Ensure compliance with HS&E guidelines when demonstrating products.

• Communicate regularly with other salespeople and distributors.
• Work closely with Finance, Operations, and Technical departments to coordinate activities and ensure company goals are met.
• Ensure the state business plan is completed and kept up to date.
• Depending on technical skills, provide support to CR and CV customers as needed.

• Minimum of 5-7 years' experience in the vehicle refinish market, or a combination of education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of company products, systems, and application techniques.
• Proven sales and sales management experience.
• Exceptional communication and motivational skills.
• Understanding of basic business management, including Profit & Loss, Cash Flow, Inventory Management, and Accounts Receivable.
• Effective leadership skills, including communication, organization, time and territory management, and professionalism.
• Willingness for regular regional and occasional interstate travel will be required.

Being a Global company, we have a suite of benefits we can offer than your standard permanent role and job stability:

• Career Pathway and Training: We're committed to helping you reach your career goals. We offer training and development opportunities that open doors to your next steps.
• Performance Bonuses:Don't settle for the ordinary. You have the potential to earn more with quarterly performance bonuses on top of your base salary
• Let Akzo Nobel, help you meet your health goals: Your health matters to us. Enjoy a free annual flu vaccination and financial support for health and wellbeing programs of your choice each year.
• Tools of the Trade:We provide the tools you need to excel – a fully maintained company vehicle, laptop, and mobile phone.
• Want to stretch your dollar further?Enjoy our employee benefits on discounted private health insurance with Bupa and free access for you and your family on our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), that include discount on retail goods and services.
• Looking for more perks?Join us to find out more…

If you're someone who loves vehicles and has the drive to help customers maximize the potential of Vehicle Refinishing products, we want you on board Your skills and dedication will be the engine that powers our growth Start your engines and accelerate towards a rewarding career with us

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.