Regional Sales Manager - Middle East & Africa

Ashland Industries Europe GmbH (DMCC Branch)

Regional Sales Manager - Middle East & Africa

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we’d like to meet you and bet you’d like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Regional Sales Manager to join our MEAI team (Ashland Industries Europe GmbH) Specialty Additives business at our regional office (Dubai – UAE). This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the sales function. This position will report to the region’s General Manager.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead, coach and motivate a team of 2-3 Account Managers to achieve company goals and support the MEA team talent development plan
• Develop and implement a sales growth plan for each business segment (Coating, Performance Specialties, and Energy) in line with the regional strategy
• Develop and execute a regional key account strategy for sustainable and profitable growth
• Build and maintain multilevel relationships with strategic accounts and lead distributors to enhance sales
• Achieve the business plan targets for sales volume, revenues, and gross profits for the assigned region
• Drive the introduction and growth of new products in the market and deploy the innovation ideation process
• Implement the S&OP process and support leadership in managing MEAI region P&L. Enhance the financial acumen of the MEAI team
• Ensure effective communication at appropriate levels to maintain business alignment
• Work closely with MEAI marketing manager to ensure the success of the regional projects and global marketing initiatives
• Conduct marketing intelligence jointly with the marketing manager and market analysis team to ensure a deep understanding of market dynamics (supply and demand, competitor activities, profiling and trends)
• Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals and focusing on performance and safety
• Improve the organization capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent and utilizing positive communications and influence with others

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering/science or equivalent
• 7-10 years of proven working regional sales experience in MEA in Industrial chemical additives, especially in the Paint and Coating industry, with exposure to plants and lab
• Willingness to travel at least 30-50% of the time MEA countries to maintain regular customer contact and to develop business opportunities
• Professional experience within the chemical raw material’s industry
• Strong drive and self-initiative as well as effective communication, presentation and negotiation skills in English

• Valid Driver’S License

• Demonstrated responsible and ethical behavior at all times
• The ability to help the company drive greater value through understanding the business, making complex decisions and creating the new and different

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

• Arabic and French language skills would be advantageous
• In-depth knowledge of the BU core business products : Rheology & foam control additives
• Product Application – Coating & Energy & performance Specialties segments
• Post graduate degree in business management would be advantageous

Other skills that should come naturally include:-

• Strong sales negotiation with excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, plan and organize
• Strategic thinking and adapt business perspective, be results and customer orientated
• Interpersonal sensitivity and people management
• Analytical, conceptual, problem solving & decision-making

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.
 
At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.
 
Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.
 
Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE:  We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.