Junior Sales Manager - CASE

Mission

The role involves managing a specific product portfolio within the market segment in order to meet principal targets, product gross margin and working capital targets, by contributing to and implementing the Business Strategy in the CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers) team at Azelis.

This role provides an excellent development opportunity for graduates and early-career professionals, as well as those with equivalent experience, offering the chance to build both technical and commercial expertise within the chemical distribution industry, supporting long-term career progression.

About Azelis

Azelis is a leading global innovation service provider in the specialty chemical and food ingredients industry, present in 63 countries across the globe with over 3,800 employees. Our knowledgeable teams of industry, market and technical experts are each dedicated to a specific market within Life Sciences and Industrial Chemicals.

We offer a lateral value chain of complementary products to more than 59,000 customers, supported by +2,700 principal relationships, creating a turnover of €4.1 billion (2022). Azelis Group NV is listed on Euronext Brussels under ticker AZE.

Across our extensive network of more than 60 application laboratories, our award-winning staff help develop formulations and provide technical guidance throughout the customers' product development process. We combine a global market reach with a local footprint to offer a reliable, integrated, and unique digital service to local customers and attractive business opportunities to principals. Top industry-rated by Sustainalytics, Azelis is a leader in sustainability.

Main Responsibilities

• Build technical knowledge of key Principals, customers and products
• Manage a defined group of new and existing customers to maintain and further develop sales of products in the CASE product portfolio
• Ensure timely follow ups to sales visits and sales enquiries such as price quotations, samples and literature
• Maintenance of cost build ups and input of prices into AX
• Maintain customer portal, with assistance from the Marketing Manager EMEA and Sales Managers
• Form excellent working relationships with the CASE team and supply chain whilst acting as a conduit for the flow of information between the two functions
• Maintain D365 data to assist with stock analysis including minimum/maximum stock levels and lead times
• Initiate purchasing actions where required
• Assist in negotiation of purchase prices with Principals
• Constantly review stock levels and assist planners when placing orders for material from Principals
• Prepare reports and analysis on sales activities resulting in sales/purchase forecasts
• Analyse customer visit reports from the opportunity pipeline extracting and communicating key information
• Maintenance of 100% market data
• Indicate customer buying patterns so that concerns regarding orders not received can be raised and investigated promptly
• Monitor increasing/decreasing demands that may affect purchasing levels
• Provide project updates, especially when nearing completion and indication of any stock holding requirements
• Assist with reduction of slow-moving stock and impairment
• Compile information on unexplored opportunities including new applications for existing products, new customers for "one customer products", and product group strategies
• Maintain up to date compliance knowledge for completion of customer technical enquiries and minimising supply chain delays
• Work as part of a team to generate increased sales and margins by maintaining existing and developing new business for the customer in CASE
• Manage, develop and understand the needs of their defined customer base through a mix of telephone based sales activity and customer visits
• Agree prices and volumes with customers, seeking guidance
• Monitor and review payment terms for customers, ensuring adherence and keeping business risk to a minimum
• Set and agree annual sales budgets with the Business Manager
• Analyse relevant monthly reporting such as sales trends and GM tracker for local customers
• Support marketing and communications activities in CASE
• Provide support for supply chain activities in CASE
• Maintain correct product stock levels to satisfy business and customer demands
• Provide in house technical knowledge of product groups and products
• Maintain a co-operative and friendly attitude to all users, customers and suppliers

Experience, Skills & Education

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability and confidence to communicate effectively with customers both over the telephone and face-to-face
• Analytical skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Negotiation skills
• Good presentation skills
• Able to work as a team player
• Financial/commercial awareness
• Understanding of the importance of timely and effective communication and action

Graduate Development Opportunity

This role is designed to support early career professionals and graduates looking to build a career in technical sales and product management. You will benefit from:

• Structured onboarding and training programme
• Mentorship from experienced Product Managers and Commercial leaders
• Exposure to product management, sales, supply chain, and supplier management
• Development of both technical expertise and commercial acumen within the chemical distribution sector
• Hands-on experience with CRM systems, customer engagement, and business strategy
• Clear progression pathway

Commitment to Inclusion

Azelis is committed to building an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experience levels. We are happy to consider reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

We believe in building and nurturing solid, honest and transparent relationships with our people and partners.

Equal Opportunity

Azelis Americas is an equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Azelis Americas' U.S. entities participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Azelis is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

Azelis Americas is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during our application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at human.resources@azelis.com.