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Account and Business Development Manager Specialty Polyamide (m/f/d) Job

Arkema
Full-time
On-site
DΓΌsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
🌐 Digital Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Account and Business Development Manager Specialty Polyamide (m/f/d)

πŸ”Ή Company: Arkema

πŸ”Ή Location: DΓΌsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

πŸ”Ή Job Type: On-site

πŸ”Ή Category: Sales & Business Development

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: April 3, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 2-5 years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Driving sales growth for Arkema's High Performance Polymers Business
  • Developing and executing strategic sales plans
  • Building and maintaining strong customer relationships
  • Negotiating commercial contracts and resolving potential issues
  • Promoting products and identifying new customers and partners

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of autonomy, reactivity, and curiosity, as well as strong organizational skills and the ability to travel frequently.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Propose and execute strategic sales plans for the territory (Budget/5 YP)

βœ… Propose, execute, and coordinate specific account plans for (Global) strategic accounts

βœ… Negotiate commercial contracts and potential issues to achieve sales plan and preserve Arkema's best interest

βœ… Follow customer's demand, ensure best forecasts accuracy, and on-time payment in close cooperation with sales assistant/customer service staff

βœ… Establish strong accounts relationships at various levels and functions of the organization

βœ… Promote products/applications and identify new customers, partners, end-users within assigned segment/territory to support profitable growth

βœ… Establish strong relationships with assigned OEMs to determine trends, material requirements, ensure Arkema materials qualification where needed, and develop new business opportunities

ASSUMPTION: The role involves a high degree of customer interaction and requires excellent communication skills, as well as a strong understanding of technical polymers performances and processing.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Graduated from an Engineer School / PhD with a high commercial sense and high communication skills

Experience: 3-5 years in sales and/or business development

Required Skills:

  • Fluent in German and English. French is a plus.
  • Experience in an international business environment and within matrix organizations
  • Autonomy, reactivity, curiosity, self-starter, perfectly organized
  • Travels/facing to customers 50% of the time

Preferred Skills:

  • Good understanding of Technical Polymers performances and processing

ASSUMPTION: While a background in engineering or a PhD is preferred, candidates with strong sales experience and a high commercial sense may also be considered.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €60,000 - €80,000 per year (Estimated, based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)

Benefits:

  • Company car
  • Attractive employee share program
  • 30 days annual leave
  • Company pension allowance
  • Accident insurance (also applies privately)
  • Term life insurance

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours to accommodate travel and customer needs

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications and company policy.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing, specifically High Performance Polymers

Company Size: 10,001+ employees, offering a large network of opportunities and resources

Founded: 2006, with a history of growth and innovation in sustainable materials

Company Description:

  • Arkema is a global leader in innovative materials for a sustainable world
  • Certified top employer, offering an attractive work environment and employee benefits
  • Focused on high performance materials, coating solutions, advanced materials, adhesives solutions, and high performance polymers

Company Specialties:

  • High performance materials
  • Coating solutions
  • Advanced Materials
  • Adhesives solutions
  • High Performance Polymers

Company Website: http://www.arkema.com

ASSUMPTION: Arkema's focus on sustainability and innovation makes it an attractive employer for candidates interested in driving growth in the chemical industry.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Business Unit Manager, with matrix reporting to other functions as needed

Work Arrangement: On-site, with frequent travel required to meet with customers and partners

Growth Opportunities:

  • Progression to senior sales or management roles within the company
  • Expansion into new markets or product lines
  • Development of expertise in high performance polymers and related technologies

ASSUMPTION: The role offers significant growth potential for candidates with strong sales skills and a desire to learn and develop within the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in DΓΌsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Office Location(s): DΓΌsseldorf

Geographic Context:

  • DΓΌsseldorf is the capital of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state
  • The city is known for its fashion and trade fairs, as well as its vibrant cultural scene
  • Arkema's office is located in the heart of DΓΌsseldorf, offering easy access to public transportation and amenities

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours to accommodate travel and customer needs

ASSUMPTION: The role's frequent travel requirement may appeal to candidates who enjoy working in different environments and building relationships with customers and partners across the region.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application and resume screening
  • Phone or video call interview with HR
  • On-site interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
  • Final interview with the Business Unit Manager

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Sales skills and experience
  • Language proficiency in German and English
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Problem-solving and negotiation skills
  • Cultural fit with Arkema's values and work environment

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience and relevant skills
  • Prepare examples of your sales achievements and customer success stories
  • Research Arkema's products and market position to demonstrate your industry knowledge

ATS Keywords: Sales, Business Development, Strategic Planning, Account Management, Customer Relationship Management, Negotiation, Technical Polymers, High Performance Polymers, Chemical Industry, German, English, French

ASSUMPTION: Arkema's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' sales skills, language proficiency, and cultural fit with the company's values and work environment.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint)
  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite, as well as familiarity with presentation and project management tools.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Safety and Sustainability
  • Innovation and Customer Focus
  • Performance and Teamwork

Work Style:

  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Results-driven and performance-focused
  • Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • How do you demonstrate Arkema's commitment to safety and sustainability in your daily work?
  • Can you provide an example of a time when you drove innovation and customer focus to achieve sales growth?
  • How do you balance performance and teamwork in a matrix reporting structure?

ASSUMPTION: Arkema values candidates who align with their commitment to safety, sustainability, innovation, and customer focus, as well as those who can thrive in a collaborative and performance-driven work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Frequent travel requirements may pose a challenge for candidates who prefer a more sedentary work environment
  • The role's matrix reporting structure may require strong communication and interpersonal skills to navigate multiple stakeholders
  • Arkema's focus on sustainability and innovation may require candidates to adapt to new technologies and market trends
  • DΓΌsseldorf's competitive job market may present challenges in attracting and retaining top talent

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and industry, and candidates should be prepared to address them proactively in their application and interview process.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • Compared to other sales and business development roles in the chemical industry, this position offers a strong focus on high performance polymers and sustainability
  • Arkema's size and global presence provide opportunities for growth and advancement not available at smaller companies
  • Candidates with experience in the chemical industry may find the role's technical aspects more familiar, while those from other industries may appreciate the opportunity to learn and develop new skills

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles at other chemical companies to better understand the unique aspects of this position and how it aligns with their career goals.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and executing a strategic sales plan for a new product launch in the specialty polyamide segment
  • Identifying and qualifying new customers and partners in the automotive and electronics industries
  • Negotiating a long-term supply agreement with a key strategic account to ensure Arkema's best interest

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the role's key responsibilities and the types of initiatives candidates can expect to work on in this position.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
  • How does Arkema support the professional development and growth of its sales team members?
  • What are the most challenging aspects of the role, and how can I best prepare to address them?
  • How does Arkema measure and reward sales performance?
  • What are the next steps for career progression within the company for this role?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate candidates' interest in the role's details and their commitment to success in the position.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience and relevant skills
  • Prepare examples of your sales achievements and customer success stories
  • Research Arkema's products and market position to demonstrate your industry knowledge
  • Follow up with Arkema's HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.