Distribution Specialist

Manage performance of Axalta & U – Pol distributors in an assigned region, working as a member of the local sales team. The Distribution Specialist will work with a high sense of urgency having primary responsibility for distribution purchase target, distribution profitability and growth, demand forecasts as well as maintain the ACS & U – Pol brand image and policy standards. Overall, the Distribution Specialist is responsible for demonstrating ownership, commitment and accountability to the assigned organizational area and its goals working in close coordination with other Sales Team roles active in the same region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Gains an understanding of distributors and market requirements and, appropriately, implement actions to meet sales goals while keeping Axalta’s & U - Pol’s best interests in mind.
• Act as the primary point of contact for local distributors within the defined region.
• Elaborate and implement an effective sales plan - including target, profitability, and distribution growth - consisting of a balanced offer of Axalta Refinish & U – Pol products (families and product groups both in paint and non paint) and services, in line with the assigned regional goals.
• Coordinate mentioned sales plan and its implementation in collaboration with the rest of the sales team specifically, and due to the alignment required by those functions, the Sales, Account and Market Specialists.
• Looks for potential opportunities to expand Axalta’s & U – Pol’s distribution footprint through the targeting of new distribution, line adds and stock point additions to existing distribution.
• Manage distribution needs end to end by networking with other sales and technical roles, supply chain, product group, and customer service.
• Understand current and future business environment and industry trends to, through Distribution, prioritize, target, and effectively retain current customers and sell to new ones.
• Understand and accurately communicate the key attributes and advantages of Axalta & U -pol products and services through designed proposals.
• Pioneer new, innovative opportunities and takes on challenges that will contribute to the market’s success.
• Consistently conducts periodic follow-up meetings and business reviews with distributors to achieve desired results.
• Maintain a balance between building strong and collaborative relationships with distributor while keeping Axalta’s interests and goals as a top priority.
• Ensure and facilitate proper usage of Axalta’s CRM software.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree and or 7+ years of Automotive Refinish industry experience required or Aftersales Automotive Market (tire business, oil business …)
• 5 + years of selling and retention experience with a track record of hitting or exceeding goals.
• Experience selling to or managing relationships with top-tier customers / distributors preferred.
• Strong business acumen / financial, or at least basic notions of profitability and business case building / Result oriented.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, relationship building and presentation skills.
• Basic oral and written English knowledge (fluency would be a preference).
• Must possess strong organizational, interpersonal and time management skills.
• Must have strong work ethic and self-discipline.
• Versatility to flex into different positions.
• Must be willing to travel extensively, up to 60% of the time and, ideally, being open to an eventual move to other location.