At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth through face-to-face customer visits and build technical credibility.
- Company: Join Brenntag, a leader in specialty chemicals with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Enjoy up to 60% travel and develop your career in a dynamic industry.
- Why this job: Make an impact by connecting with clients and driving innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a technical field and strong sales experience required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Your Role
The External Account Manager is a field-based role responsible for driving growth with frequent face-to-face customer visits. This role builds technical credibility in specialty products, uncovers needs at the application level, and executes opportunity plans to deliver revenue and margin growth.
Responsibilities
- Account Ownership, Field Coverage, and Pipeline Execution (60%)
- Own a portfolio of accounts with clear growth and margin targets; prioritize the top accounts and prospect for new business.
- Plan and execute regular customer visits, joint calls, trials, and value demonstrations; document outcomes and next actions in CRM.
- Develop account plans with specific opportunity hypotheses, stakeholders, competitive position, and closing plans; progress opportunities through stages.
- Coordinate with Internal Account Managers for quoting, sampling, and order follow-up to ensure a seamless customer experience.
- Technical/Application Expertise and Market Activation (25%)
- Build and maintain strong technical knowledge across priority product baskets and applications; conduct product trials with customers and technical teams.
- Support new product introductions and campaigns; deliver technical storytelling linked to customer pain points and economics.
- Capture market and competitor intelligence and feed back to Sales Management and IMM/Product Management.
- Pricing and Commercial Excellence (15%)
- Execute pricing guidance and discount discipline; prepare quotes and negotiate within delegated authority.
- Maintain pricing and opportunity data in CRM; ensure forecast accuracy and timely updates.
Additional Required Skills/Abilities
- Strong consultative selling and negotiation skills; comfortable engaging technical and commercial stakeholders.
- Technical aptitude in Material Science applications (e.g., polymers, coatings, adhesives, elastomers) and the ability to translate features into value.
- Proactive prospecting, time management, and territory planning skills.
- CRM proficiency and disciplined documentation.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to work independently in the field.
Education And Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science) or Business with strong technical affinity.
- Extensive field sales experience in specialty chemicals or related technical sales roles.
- Up to 60% travel/field time for customer visits, trials, supplier ride-alongs, and industry events (varies by territory density).
Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.
Business Development Manager employer: Brenntag
Contact Detail:
Brenntag Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get out there and network! Attend industry events, trade shows, or local meetups related to business development. It's all about making connections and showing your face; you never know who might have the perfect opportunity for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Whether it's a casual chat or a formal meeting, being able to articulate your value proposition clearly is key. Tailor your message to highlight how your skills can drive growth and solve customer pain points.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after meetings! A quick email thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest can keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in building those relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to leverage our website for job applications! We have loads of opportunities that match your skills, so make sure to check back often and apply directly through us for the best chance at landing that dream role.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Business Development Manager. Highlight your experience in field sales and technical knowledge, especially in Material Science applications. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can drive growth for our accounts. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: Since this role requires strong technical aptitude, don’t shy away from showcasing your knowledge in polymers, coatings, and adhesives. We love seeing candidates who can translate complex features into real-world value for customers!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brenntag
✨Know Your Accounts Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you research the accounts you'll be managing. Understand their needs, challenges, and how your role can drive growth for them. This will show your potential employer that you're proactive and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Master the Technical Details
Brush up on your technical knowledge related to Material Science applications. Be prepared to discuss how you can translate complex features into tangible value for customers. This will demonstrate your expertise and ability to engage with both technical and commercial stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Sales Strategy
Prepare to discuss your approach to account ownership and pipeline execution. Have examples ready of how you've successfully managed accounts in the past, including your methods for prioritising opportunities and executing plans. This will highlight your consultative selling skills.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Market Insights
Familiarise yourself with current market trends and competitor intelligence in the specialty chemicals sector. Being able to share insights during the interview will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're engaged and knowledgeable about the industry.