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About AkzoNobel

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 Dulux, 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.

 

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com 

 

© 2026 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

About the Job

 

Ensures execution of the agreed sales in a region, selected cost from P&L and profitability related targets established by the Business within multiple areas, constituting the sales region / area by managing the subordinated field force and organizing high quality sales support infrastructure required in the execution of sales processes. Has leadership element to their role.

 

Responsibilities

 

Key Accountabilities

  1. Pivotal in driving strategic growth, operational excellence, short-term & long-term financial results across regional trade channels.
  2. Responsible for developing and executing trade strategies, managing key customer relationships, and ensuring alignment with national objectives.
  3. Through effective planning, execution, and performance monitoring, the role contributes directly to revenue growth, profitability, and market expansion.
  4. A strong focus on compliance, commercial excellence, and team capability development ensures sustainable success and competitive advantage in the market.


Key Activities

  1. Strategic planning and budgeting

    • Prepare and deliver trade sales budgets (Operating Profit, Gross Profit, Expenses, Revenue, Volume)
    • Develop and implement regional trade strategies and business plans
    • Plan targeted business development with contractors, specifiers, and related stakeholders

  2. Execution and implementation

    • Execute trade sales strategies effectively across all regions
    • Drive revenue growth through strategic initiatives, policies, and programs
    • Ensure activity remains aligned with national objectives and market opportunities

  3. Financial management

    • Maintain profitability and agreed pricing structures
    • Plan and execute rebate strategies to support growth and margin outcomes

  4. Performance review and reporting

    • Review trade plans and advise senior management on trends and emerging issues
    • Monitor and evaluate performance, key activities, and development progress
    • Report financial performance versus prior year and budget (GIV, Volume, ASP, Profitability)
    • Provide competitor, market, promotional, and area activity updates
    • Track pipeline health, specifications prepared, and conversions to sales

  5. Control and compliance

    • Implement effective trade sales performance measures and controls
    • Ensure compliance with AkzoNobel policies, procedures, and code of conduct

  6. Sales and marketing

    • Develop long-term strategic partnerships with the top 30 key customers
    • Implement area marketing plans aligned with national strategy
    • Strengthen customer relationships and host contractor events in each area

  7. Management and process ownership

    • Manage forecasting and pipeline processes
    • Drive specification activity and manage the project pipeline
    • Own and deliver guaranteed projects from initiation through to certification

  8. Commercial excellence and training

    • Promote commercial excellence through internal (Dulux Training Academy) and external training programs

 

Role Requirements

 

  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree and bring at least five years’ trade sales experience in the paint industry, ideally within contractor, construction, and architectural environments (FMCG and/or contractor/specifier channels).
  • Strong people-management experience and financial management skills.
  • Work independently across a range of business interfaces and management levels.
  • Use MS Office packages proficiently.
  • Travel extensively locally and regionally as required by the role.
  • Leverage strong knowledge of the Trade and Professional market as a distinct advantage.
  • Demonstrate solid business acumen with a strong commercial orientation.
  • Build and maintain effective client relationships.
  • Align performance for success by gaining commitment and making sound decisions.
  • Drive sales results through persuasiveness, negotiation, and initiating action.
  • Communicate clearly and deliver effective presentations to influence stakeholders.
  • Put customers first by building loyalty and long-term partnerships.
  • Apply good judgement by taking appropriate risks backed by strong technical and professional knowledge.

 

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.

Requisition ID: 56728