North America Sales Manager

Job Description
The NA Sales Manager will be responsible for developing the sales of a range of specialty additives for the surface coatings industry and in particular the industrial coatings area. The NA Sales Manager will report directly to the Global Business Director – Surface Coatings.
The role involves managing an extensive distribution network over the territory as well as direct contacts with key accounts at all levels.
Maintains a balance of building strong, collaborative relationships with customers while keeping PQ’s interests and goals as a top priority.
Demonstrates ownership, commitment and accountability to the territory and its organizational goals. Takes a proactive leadership role if called upon.
Identifies all Strategic Accounts and maintains accurate account and contact data. Maintains an organized communication approach with a regular call schedule and clearly documents any issues concerning the key accounts.
Manages the distribution network by giving commercial and technical support in liaison with the technical service department.
Seeks to better understand current and future business environment and industry trends in order to prioritize, target, and effectively retain current customers and sell to new customers.
Contributes to the territory team’s expected results for revenue, profitability, new gains, customer retention, and distributor management with a high sense of urgency;
specifically playing a key role in new sale acquisitions.
Conducts joint visits and is present at seminars and local coatings’ shows in order to successfully support the distributors and motivate them to grow sales.
Stays in direct contact with key accounts in the territory (mainly multi-national companies) that are also a part of the NA Sales manager’s responsibilities.
Understands and accurately communicates the value proposition and benefits of our product, color, and services offered, resulting in the achievement of territory retention, gain, and profitability goals.
Has a sound working knowledge of distributor business fundamentals. Effectively discusses and evaluates the sales process, inventory management, marketing, and basic distributor financials.
Negotiates supply contracts within the framework defined by the management team, and promotes new products and applications to technical departments and purchasing.
Works closely with the local technical service department, to solve customer problems and make pertinent recommendations.