A Japanese distributor is currently recruiting a Sales Account Manager to work in their office in Cologne, Germany.
Their business model relies on sourcing third-party connectors and reselling them to local customers, mostly Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers in the automotive industry. The key challenge in this role will be building deep trust with clients in order to secure and maintain long-term business.

TYPE: Permanent, full-time
WORKING HOURS: 9:00-17:00 from Monday to Friday
SALARY: up to 65K, plus bonus and company car
START: ASAP
LOCATION: Cologne, Germany – travel across Germany and Europe would be necessary, 2/3 days a week in office

Sales Account Manager Main Responsibilities:
• Maintain and improve the relationships with their German, European and worldwide key accounts
• Develop effective sales strategies and present this to management
• Follow, meet and exceed agreed sales targets and report the results
• Perform regular customer visits within Germany and other European countries where you will be travelling around 50% of your working time
• Find or create new opportunities, not limited but mainly in the automotive market
• Identify and discuss mutual benefits for their customers where we extend their role as distributor by offering several value added services that make their customer’s life easier and more profitable
• Advise their higher management about business opportunities and possible supply chains that can be set up to improve or extend their existing business or create new business
• Support the quotation process, handled by the inside sales department, between supplier and customer to meet their demands and provide them with continuous support
• Identify key selling points that can increase the win-rate
• Support business opportunities created by their Netherlands’ and their Germany’s sales department and serve as liaison between customers, suppliers and service providers
• Perform trouble shooting and find solutions for the ever changing customer’s needs
• Research and communicate new products that can be added to the company’s portfolio
• Provide excellent customer service, common for Japanese companies, in order to ensure recurring and increasing sales

Sales Account Manager Ideal Candidate:
• 1+ years of experience of sales experience, preferably technical sales
• Bachelor’s degree or related work experience
• Experience in ERP system will be advantageous
• Prior experience in distribution or logistics preferred
• Familiar with general automotive supply chain processes
• Business level of German and English

*We regret that we cannot accept applications from Working holiday visa, Graduate or Student visa holders.