📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account and Business Development Manager Specialty Polyamide (m/f/d)
🔹 Company: Arkema
🔹 Location: Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Sales & Business Development
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-03
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (50% travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving sales growth of Specialty Polyamides in the DACH and CEE regions
- Implementing sales strategies and negotiating with customers
- Prospecting for new projects and leading them until recurrent sales
- Working in a fast-growing, high-value-added specialty polymers market
- Collaborating with a global team and reporting to both local and regional managers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of autonomy, reactivity, and curiosity, as well as strong communication skills and a self-starter attitude.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ In charge of Specialty Polyamides granules sales & business development in DACH and CEE to Industrial, Consumers and Textile markets
✅ Implement the sales strategy on the field in line with the guidelines issued by Global Market Managers and Sales Director
✅ Be very active prospecting on the field, initiating new projects, leading them until recurrent sales
✅ High value added specialty polymers supplied to fast growing markets, double digit yearly growth supported by an hunting mode team spirit
✅ Outstanding industrial investments on going bringing soon additional production capacities all over the world and mainly focused on biobased products which demand is high
✅ Business report to Global Market manager Industry/O&G // EMEA Sales based in France
✅ Hierarchical report to the local/regional country Manager Based in Arkema local affiliate office or home-based
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of travel (50% of the time) and requires strong organizational skills to manage time effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Graduated from an Engineer School / PhD
Experience: 3-5 years in sales and/or business development
Required Skills:
- Fluent in German and English. French is a plus.
- High commercial sense and high communication skills
- Experience in an International business environment and within matrix organisations
- Good understanding of Technical Polymers performances and processing is a plus
- Autonomy, reactivity, curiosity, self-starter, perfectly organized
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the chemical manufacturing industry
ASSUMPTION: While a background in engineering or a PhD is preferred, candidates with a strong commercial sense and relevant sales experience may also be considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €60,000 - €80,000 per year (based on industry standards for this role and experience level)
Benefits:
- Company car
- Employee share program
- 30 days annual leave
- Company pension allowance
- Accident insurance (also applies privately)
- Term life insurance
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible working hours and 50% travel
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role and experience level. The actual salary may vary depending on factors such as individual performance and company financials.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing. Arkema is a global leader in Innovative Materials for a Sustainable World.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large company, Arkema offers extensive resources and opportunities for growth and development.
Founded: 2006. Arkema was founded following the demerger of the chemical division of Total and has since grown into a global leader in its industry.
Company Description:
- Arkema is a certified top employer, offering a supportive and engaging work environment.
- The company is committed to sustainability, focusing on innovative materials that contribute to a more sustainable world.
- Arkema operates in a global market, with a presence in over 50 countries and more than 18,000 employees.
Company Specialties:
- High performance materials
- Coating solutions
- Advanced Materials
- Adhesives solutions
- High Performance Polymers
Company Website: http://www.arkema.com
ASSUMPTION: As a large, global company, Arkema offers a wide range of opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level. This role offers opportunities for career progression within the company.
Reporting Structure: The role reports to both local and regional managers, providing opportunities for collaboration and learning across different teams and functions.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid. The role requires 50% travel, with the remaining time spent working from home or the local affiliate office.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior sales or management role within the company
- Expansion into new markets or product lines
- Development of leadership and management skills through collaboration with global teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. The role requires 50% travel, with the remaining time spent working from home or the local affiliate office.
Office Location(s): Düsseldorf, Germany
Geographic Context:
- Düsseldorf is the capital of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is located in the heart of Europe, providing easy access to major markets.
- The city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and festivals.
- Düsseldorf offers a high quality of life, with a well-developed infrastructure and a strong economy.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible working hours and 50% travel
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between flexibility and collaboration, allowing employees to work from home when needed but also providing opportunities for in-person interaction and team building.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the local or regional manager
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales and business development skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Language skills (German, English, and optionally French)
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales and business development experience, as well as your language skills.
- Prepare examples of your sales achievements and projects you have led from start to finish.
- Research Arkema's products and markets to demonstrate your understanding of the business and your enthusiasm for the role.
ATS Keywords: Specialty Polyamides, Sales, Business Development, DACH, CEE, Industrial, Consumers, Textile, Matrix Organisations, Global Market Managers, Sales Director, Local/Regional Country Manager
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary depending on the specific hiring manager and team, but the typical process outlined above provides a good general overview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the team and region, but the list above provides a general overview of the types of tools that may be required for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety
- Responsibility
- Expertise
- Innovation
- Performance
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on achieving targets
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Customer-focused and committed to delivering exceptional service
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong commercial sense and excellent communication skills?
- Are you comfortable working in a matrix organization and collaborating with global teams?
- Are you proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently?
ASSUMPTION: Arkema values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- High travel requirements (50% of the time)
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic market with double-digit yearly growth
- Collaborating with a global team and reporting to both local and regional managers
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
ASSUMPTION: These challenges also present opportunities for growth and development, as well as the chance to make a significant impact on the business.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other sales and business development positions in the chemical manufacturing industry, but with a focus on specialty polymers and a high-value-added market.
- Arkema's global presence and commitment to sustainability set it apart from other companies in the industry.
- This role offers opportunities for career progression within the company, with the potential to expand into new markets or product lines.
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other sales and business development positions, its focus on specialty polymers and high-value-added markets makes it unique within the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a sales strategy for a new product line in the DACH region
- Expanding market share in the CEE region through targeted prospecting and customer acquisition
- Leading a cross-functional team to develop and launch a new bio-based product, from initial concept to recurrent sales
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the types of initiatives and responsibilities that the Account and Business Development Manager may be expected to undertake in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Arkema support the growth and development of its employees in this role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a matrix organization and collaborating with global teams?
- How does Arkema measure success in this role, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to evaluate my performance?
- What are the opportunities for career progression within the company, and how can I best position myself for these opportunities?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help you better understand the role, the company, and the opportunities for growth and development, as well as to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Arkema careers website
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales and business development experience, as well as your language skills.
- Prepare examples of your sales achievements and projects you have led from start to finish.
- Research Arkema's products and markets to demonstrate your understanding of the business and your enthusiasm for the role.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
