Key Account Manager in London

Our client is a global leader in high-performance engineering polymers, supplying advanced material solutions to major OEMs and tier suppliers across automotive, industrial, electronics and consumer markets. With a strong reputation for technical excellence, innovation and customer partnership, the organisation delivers premium specialty materials that support light-weighting, sustainability and next-generation product design. Their UK operation is well-established, highly respected, and offers an exciting environment for professionals looking to grow within a dynamic, technology-driven industry.

Primary Purpose

Achieve the agreed sales/account objectives as defined annually by the Sales Manager. Identify, develop and commercialise new business typically via multiplication of successful existing or newly developed applications at existing (and new) accounts.

Role

• Develop and maintain networks at adequate levels of the value chain and accounts organisation focusing on engineering, technology and sales.
• Develop new projects at strategic accounts to replace metal components derived from the various product line strategies to drive annual sales and account objectives.
• Execute negotiations about pricing and delivery within boundaries set by sales and product management. Responsible for quotations, contracts, complaint ownership and consignment contracts.
• Define, develop and commercialise new projects, customers and applications within the UK strategy and the ambition of individual product lines.
• Leverage and coordinate technical colleagues' efforts for accounts and projects.
• Co-ordinate all internal activities concerning the account to ensure a consistent approach in sales, support and development.
• Position new value propositions at target accounts for commercial development and for communicating value propositions to the market.
• Initiate development agreements with customers and communicate the business case to the Sales Director for approval.
• Add and maintain projects in internal tracking systems.
• Communicate market information and new product development needs/requests/availability to internal teams and customers.
• Collect market information and communicate current and emerging needs for existing and potential accounts within the region to drive new business development.
• Provide accurate sales forecasting.
• Monitor credit limits as defined by the Credit Risk Manager and, if needed, request a higher or lower credit limit to the Credit Risk Manager.
• Handle communication to the customer regarding complaints and propose settlements (including product returns) to be approved by the Sales Director.
• Communicate timely, accurate instructions to the accounts receivable administrator.
• Communicate potential bad debts and prepare and settle rebates after approval of the Sales Director.

Knowledge and Educational Level

• Ideally a degree in polymer or materials science and processing.
• Knowledge of the plastics/polymer material industry and markets, detailed know-how of products, applications, competitive materials and competitors.
• Knowledge of sales processes.
• Experience of finance, product management and additional understanding of technical service and application development.
• Ability to influence high-level decision makers in Engineering and Product Design.
• Excellent communication and social skills.

Required Level of Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' relevant B2B experience in sales and business development.
• Experience with polymer materials, injection moulding, tooling or a combination of these.
• Know-how of designing and processing metal and polymer material components.
• Analytical with good judgement, business sense and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiator, able to identify customers' needs, and persuasive when presenting ideas.
• Team player and able to work independently.
• Creative with entrepreneurial experience.
• Relationship builder with good social and networking skills.
• Structured worker with good time-management and project-management ability.

Equal Opportunity

For reasons of better legibility, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (f/m/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.

For UK roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.