At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and drive commercial growth with Dulux Decorator Centre.
- Company: Join AkzoNobel, a pioneering paints company with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits in a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusivity in a dynamic workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on business performance and shape the future of a key sales channel.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing large customer accounts and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Senior Customer Business Manager
Date
Location
- Slough, GB
- About Akzo Nobel
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.
Competitive salary plus benefits
We're looking for a Senior Customer Business Manager to lead one of the most strategic customer partnerships within Akzo Nobel.
In this high-profile role, you'll take ownership of our relationship with Dulux Decorator Centre (DDC), driving commercial growth, delivering strategic initiatives, and helping shape the future of one of our most important sales channels.
At Akzo Nobel, we're proud of our heritage and our market-leading brands.
You'll join a collaborative commercial team where your strategic thinking, commercial expertise, and ability to influence senior stakeholders will have a direct impact on business performance and long‑term growth.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced National Account Manager, Senior Customer Business Manager, or Key Account Manager looking to take ownership of a strategically important account while working for a global market leader.
What you'll do
- Own and develop the strategic relationship with Dulux Decorator Centre, delivering sustainable sales and profitable growth.
- Develop and execute a robust Joint Business Plan aligned with both customer and business objectives.
- Manage the commercial performance of the account, delivering against sales, profitability, forecasting, and growth targets.
- Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across DDC, including commercial, sales, marketing, operations, and supply chain teams.
- Identify opportunities to grow the Akzo Nobel portfolio through customer insight, innovation, and category development.
- Lead promotional planning and evaluation, ensuring activity delivers strong commercial returns.
- Work cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Category, and Shopper Marketing teams to deliver outstanding customer outcomes.
- Champion operational excellence by identifying opportunities to improve processes, forecasting accuracy, and overall business performance.
- Support the delivery of sustainability initiatives and customer‑focused innovation programmes.
- Analyse market trends, customer performance, and commercial data to identify opportunities for continued growth.
What you bring
- Proven experience managing large, complex customer accounts within an FMCG, retail, manufacturing, or commercial environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing significant customer portfolios and delivering profitable growth.
- A successful track record of developing long‑term customer partnerships and delivering against commercial objectives.
- Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience developing and delivering Joint Business Plans and commercial strategies.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into commercial insight and action.
- Experience leading cross‑functional projects and collaborating across multiple business functions.
- Excellent planning, organisational, and communication skills.
- Degree educated or equivalent commercial experience.
Who you are
- A commercially driven relationship builder who enjoys developing long‑term strategic partnerships.
- Confident influencing and presenting to senior stakeholders, both internally and externally.
- Results‑focused, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational delivery.
- Highly organised, resilient, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
- Collaborative and proactive, always looking for opportunities to improve performance and create value.
- Passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences and sustainable business growth.
Ready to lead one of Akzo Nobel's most important customer partnerships?
Apply now and play a key role in driving growth, innovation, and commercial success across the Dulux Decorator Centre business.
At Akzo Nobel 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.
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Senior Customer Business Manager in Slough employer: AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel in Felling, Gateshead is an exceptional employer that prioritises innovation and employee development within the digital manufacturing sector. With a strong focus on collaboration and a commitment to enhancing skills through training opportunities, employees are empowered to contribute to meaningful projects that drive digital transformation. The supportive work culture fosters creativity and teamwork, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a significant impact in automation and cyber security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Customer Business Manager in Slough
✨Leverage Your Network
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Customer Business Manager in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
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How to prepare for a job interview at AkzoNobel
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show AkzoNobel that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
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Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show AkzoNobel that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
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Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with AkzoNobel’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.