At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships and drive sales in the coatings industry for social housing and construction.
- Company: Join AkzoNobel, a global leader in innovative paints and coatings.
- Benefits: Enjoy autonomy, competitive salary, and the chance to shape your region's business.
- Other info: Work in a diverse and inclusive environment with strong support from a global brand.
- Why this job: Be the go-to expert in your field and make a real impact on projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in specification selling or business development in construction is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
About Akzo Nobel
Since , 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 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.
© Akzo Nobel N. V. All rights reserved.
Regional Development Manager – Dulux Decorator Centre (DDC) Route-to-Market
Location: London & South East
The recognised face of coatings in your region, Regional Development Managers are the entrepreneurs of our DDC commercial route-to-market – turning strategic specifications into sustainable, profitable ‘paint on wall’ growth.”
The Regional Development Manager role (RDM) is a new, high impact position at the heart of our growth strategy with DDC.
As RDM, you are the regional business builder: the person who turns strategic specification relationships into real, profitable paint on wall sales via the DDC route-to-market.
You will deepen our presence with the most influential specifiers in Social Housing, Construction and New Housebuild – and make sure that when they specify, appliers of those specifications buy through the DDC scheme.
This is a role for someone who wants to be recognised internally and externally as the coating’s expert and trusted partner for major clients in their region.
Why this role matters
Akzo Nobel is reshaping how we win, protect and grow specification business, the RDM is the crucial link between:
- Strategic specifiers and framework owners
- Local delivery via DDC branches and sales teams
- Our Commercial Unit Specification team and regional sales & ops teams
You will translate national strategy into regional success — ensuring that Akzo Nobel and approved third party products are specified, purchased and applied via Dulux Decorator Centre (DDC).
What you’ll actually do
You will
- Own the relationships that matter most – Be the go to partner for social housing landlords, housing associations, local authorities, social housing groups, particularly leveraging the Procurement for Housing framework, and regional offices of housebuilders and construction companies where DDC is the strategic route to market.
- Turn specifications into sales and margin – Drive profitable growth by maximising conversion from specification to “paint on wall”, achieving annual specification value conversion targets and delivering share gain in Social Housing, New Build and Construction.
- Champion specification excellence – Ensure Akzo Nobel and approved third party products are written into frameworks and agreements – and then rigorously manage specification governance so those products are actually used on schemes and projects.
- Orchestrate end to end delivery via DDC – Work seamlessly with DDC Sales and Operations to manage the full journey: from specification and scheme/project setup through to product delivery and final installation/use on site by direct labour teams, tenants and contractors.
- Shape the regional business plan – Bring market intelligence, competitor insight and pipeline visibility into regional planning.
Spot gaps in our offer and influence future products, services and capabilities.
- Lead smart investment – Influence and optimise financial investment in your sectors – proposing clear, commercially sound investment options that deliver measurable return.
- The kind of impact you’ll have
- You will be known and recognised by senior decision makers in Housing, New Build and Construction in your region.
- You will be seen internally as the coatings and specification expert, bringing insight and clarity to where we can win and how.
- You will directly influence market share, margin and long‑term framework positions for Akzo Nobel via DDC.
This is a role where your decisions and relationships will visibly move the numbers – and shape our reputation in your region.
- How you’ll work
- Operate with a high degree of autonomy within agreed specification, pricing and route to market frameworks.
- Decide where to focus, which opportunities to prioritise, and how to deploy approved Strategic Investment Funds day to day.
You’ll have the freedom to run your region like a business with the backing of a global brand and strong functional support.
What you bring
- Experience & knowledge
- Proven track record in specification selling or business development within construction, housebuilding or building products.
- Strong understanding of coatings or building materials, construction supply chains and route to market models (DDC or similar).
- Experience managing key specifier relationships (architects, technical specifiers, procurement, design teams).
- Evidence of working cross functionally with Sales, Operations and Marketing to deliver end to end solutions.
- Skills & competencies
- Outstanding relationship-building and stakeholder management – able to influence at regional and national level.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience working to sales, margin and share gain targets.
- High analytical capability, comfortable with market data, competitor insight and pipeline analysis.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills; confident building and delivering compelling value propositions.
- Highly organised, self driven, and comfortable operating with autonomy within clear frameworks.
- Qualifications
- Degree in Business, Construction Management, Engineering or similar preferred, or equivalent industry experience.
- Full UK driving licence (for field-based work).
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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Regional Development Manager in Stretford 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 Regional Development Manager in Stretford
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like AkzoNobel, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Regional Development Manager at AkzoNobel.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Development Manager in Stretford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at AkzoNobel
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
