Sales Manager, Cosmetic Ingredients

Sales Manager, Cosmetic Ingredients (DACH) - Germany (Remote)

Mid-Sized Manufacturer

Irving Knight has partnered with a highly innovative and reputable Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer to identify a Sales Manager focused on the DACH region. My client is very well known for their Preservatives and Actives but boast a portfolio of 300+ scientifically backed in ingredients.

Interestingly, my client invests 4% of all revenue into R&D and release six new ingredients per year on average, making them one of the most innovative companies on the market. Not only this, but they possess a 50/50 gender diversity split at management level.

This role will focus on growing the existing €2m business across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The role will be fully remote with 30% travel across the region, whilst concurrently managing two distribution partners. This could be a real opportunity to grow technically, professionally and personally, whilst acting as the 'face of the company' in the DACH region for one of the industries leading scientific manufacturers.

If you would like to work for a company that puts employees first, heavily focuses on sustainable innovation, and work in a truly collaborative environment, this could be the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Reporting to the EMEA Sales Director, you will be solely responsible for driving the growth of the business across DACH, with up to 30% travel.
• Utilize product knowledge and sales/product management experience to clearly deliver the value proposition.
• Sustain and improve upon the level of service offered to customers via unique and new service initiatives.
• Stay on top of and provide analyses of industry changes, emerging markets and market shifts as well as new products and competitive landscapes.
• Attend (as required) and recommend participation in industry tradeshows and other events.
• Represent your employer as a leader in the industry through conferences, industry events, social media platforms, etc.
• Incorporate appropriate sales techniques when prospecting new customers, ensuring effective communication of the brand and market presence.
• Move prospects through the sales process to secure new business.
• Prepare and deliver sales presentations and product demonstrations, where applicable, either in person or virtually.
• Secure in-person customer visits with purchasing, R&D, and sales and marketing contacts at potential customers.
• Address customer questions, concerns and inquiries with a sense of urgency and accuracy.
• Send quotes to new/existing customers and sample requests, etc., as required.
• Participate in new product introductions, training, joint sales calls, and testing.
• Issue timely reporting of customer issues, meetings, and opportunities through call reports, emails and other means of communication.
• Liaise closely with product management, pricing and R&D teams.

Qualifications

• A technical degree (at least BSc) in Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals or similar is not absolutely essential, but heavily preferred.
• A proven track record of driving new business/acquiring new customers, with figures to match.
• Absolute minimum of three years of experience selling Cosmetic Ingredients (at least nationally in Germany, and ideally to other countries across the DACH region); seven years plus is preferred.
• The ability to speak multiple languages is heavily preferred; fluency in English and German is essential.
• Self-motivated, high energy, and engaging level of enthusiasm and positive outlook.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, and ability to adapt communication style to the audience as needed.
• Software knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Must have a valid driver's license and evidence of insurability.
• An existing network of customers within the Personal Care industry.
• Must be willing to travel >30% of the time.

Our Offer

• A competitive annual salary (EUR) and bonus based on experience and value you could bring to the business.
• Company phone and laptop.
• Company Car.
• Travel reimbursement in full.
• A young, cosmopolitan and thriving workplace with state-of-the-art facilities and application labs in three separate countries.
• A fun, ambitious and collaborative environment.
• Implementation of home office/all equipment required.

Please note, if you haven't heard back within two weeks of your application, you have most probably been unsuccessful in this process. This is due to the sheer number of applicants that we experience for such adverts.