Plastics Compounds and Colors - Key Account Manager

Companies Overview: Peacock Colors Company (PCC) was founded in 1925 in Chicago, IL as a paint and ink company. For the last 50 years Peacock has manufactured colorants and additives for the plastic processing industry. Vortex Liquid Color Company (VLCC) was founded in 1996 in Sheboygan, WI and provides liquid color concentrates for many engineering and commodity polymers. We create color chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Poly Compounding specializes in toll compounding of heat and shear sensitive engineered plastics with technical know-how and decades of experience in developing customized compounding processes specific to the need of the application. All enterprise companies contribute to the success of our customers by providing them brilliant colors, long stable color life, specialty compounds and draw the attention of consumers. We are leaders in our field and work relentlessly to satisfy our customers’ needs. The position is based in Sheboygan, WI.

Key Accounts Manager (KAM)

Summary:

Key Account Manager (KAM) is responsible for the growth of Peacock Color and Vortex Liquid Color product sales in the Americas. Focus on retaining and growing current customers, pipeline of new customer development and closure, forecasting, support customer orders, line scheduling and maintaining all customers within payment terms. Scout new potential customers in previously unknown industrial markets and/or new applications. Create, maintain, and close opportunity in the pipeline to drive above-market growth. Key successes factors include negotiating, project management, networking and ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships. Ability to communicate effectively with all employees as well all customers. Upholds and supports organizational goals and values. Ability to handle multiple activities and must be outgoing, self-driven, pleasant & very personable.

Key Responsibilities:

Key Account Development & Sales Management:

• Own the relationship and projects at core customers and find new opportunities for growth within the accounts. Improve PCC share via gaining competition share.
• Find new/new accounts and drive new business growth by gaining technical specification at customer in the Americas. Understand Customer CTQ’s and relate it back to technical team to develop product for commercial success.
• Balance short term and long-term business objective effectively: drive new business growth and building a strong target position for the future.
• Develop strong technical understanding of Color and liquid color products in traditional and new application area.
• Identify and assess the current customer base and prospects for selling additional PCC. This includes selling price, volume, and customer buying criteria, market/business dynamics and entry strategies.
• Relationships & customer satisfaction.
• Short-term & long-term forecasts.
• Manage complaints.
• Manage credit terms/account receivables.
• Proactively leverage relationships to obtain the Voice of Customers, understand & articulate value propositions, and monitor the competitive landscape.

Project Management:

• Utilize skills to map new business projects and application development (see below)
• Manage projects and developments through the development process and drive completion of milestones per established timelines.
• Strong problem-solving skills

Application Development:

• Utilize specific technical expertise to translate innovations and differentiated products to commercial success.
• Interact with Color development lab and manufacturing organizations to facilitate success by communicating unmet needs in new applications.
• Internal and external influencing skills
• Communicate product quality needs to Manufacturing and technical personnel.

Teamwork is critical due to the diversity of talents involved. Focus of the team on key deliverables and the value of the market dynamic are very important. Development of the capabilities of each direct report is important to the succession options for the company.

Core Competencies (A must have):

• Communication skills: Effectively respond to customer needs, demonstrate listening, questioning, clarifying and summarizing skills.
• Commercial/Negotiating Skills: Build consensus and agreement at customer organization and secure commitments.
• Business Decision Making: Financial acumen, cost and benefits, lean for past experience, problem solving and develop solutions.
• Strategic Thinking: Develop and execute business strategy, understand competitors-strength and weakness, understand and address the needs of multiple customers.
• Results Oriented: Proven commercial track record with sustained business results and topline growth, accountability for target follow up and closure. Ability to break complex problems into manageable task and direct necessary resources to meet and beat deadline.
• Passion for Excellence: Integrity and resilience a must. High level of collaboration, willing to accept constructive criticism/feedback, lead with example, exhibit and expect hard work, deep passion and breed success.

QUALIFYING & REQUIREMENTS:

• BS degree in business, science or engineering.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in sales and marketing in differentiated markets.
• Ability to interact with R&D and manufacturing to facilitate developments, complaint investigations etc.
• Business development, application development, project management, and pull-through marketing experience with proven track record.
• Background in the plastics industry required, travel up to 50%
• Proven ability to influence internal and external decision makers.
• Results oriented.
• Strong communication and sales skill.
• Strong team player.
• Comfortable and efficient with working independently.