ACCOUNT MANAGER – WESTERN, NYANZA & RIFT VALLEY

• To plan, direct and manage the business development of Food and Beverage Operations in the region to maximize sales and profit by collaborating with the technical and sales team in order to meet the agreed turnover within budgeted costs and working capital parameters.
• To initiate, implement sales and profitability programs for direct and contract-based sales to achieve sales targets and superior customer satisfaction for processed food and dairy customers
• To establish and manage an efficient customer service and distribution function to customers by anticipating, assessing and specifying customer driven service options to create competitive advantage.
• Responsible for achieving objectives, KPI’s and targets at assigned key customers and develops new customers in a manner that will achieve short- and long-term profitable account growth.

• Participate in the integrated SBU planning process through development of annual customer plans and forecasts.
• Responsible for generating and closing leads, tracking customer activities in SFDC, and preparing monthly sales forecasts with detailed targets.
• Proactively assesses, clarifies and validates customer needs on an ongoing basis and provide appropriate product information.
• Meets assigned targets for profitable sales volumes and strategic objectives in assigned accounts including promoting innovation sales.
• Coordinates the involvement of company personnel, including technical and business support, service in order to meet account objectives and targets.
• Identify sales opportunities, networking and fact finding and calling on and closing new accounts
• Manage the execution of account contracts and agreements and ensure that customers comply to set company sales procedures.
• Manage and penetrate customers at all levels and develop and maintain relationships with commercial and non-commercial teams within assigned account
• Prepare and deliver effective selling presentations and proposals and provide after sales service
• To provide visible leadership in the promotion of EHS by ensuring that company policies and goals are implemented and targets achieved.

• Graduate degree in Chemistry, Food science or Chemical Engineering
• At least 3-5 years progressive Experience in Business-to-Business selling (preferably in Chemical, food & beverage or related industries)
• Strong people management skills
• Familiarity with processed food, tea, dairy, horticulture, or sugar processing operations and hygiene practices is a plus.
• In-depth understanding of the market
• Must have the ability to work independently, take initiatives and manage priorities
• Excellent communication and organization skills is highly required
• Ability to develop and sustain productive customer relationships
• He /she must be self-driven with a “can do” attitude and passion to achieve results under minimum supervision.
• Experience working in production in a food processing plant will be a distinct advantage.

Solenis