Business Development Manager Yacht APAC

About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.

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Job Purpose
This role contributes to the Global Yacht Coatings strategy execution by taking the lead in identifying and developing new business in the luxury/pleasure boat segment regionally. With a strong focus on custom boat builders, production boat builders, paint applicators and working marinas, the aim is to expand AkzoNobel's business into the regional markets of North and South-East Asia. The Business Development Manager ensures execution of the agreed sales and profitability targets through the effective growth of existing customers and the development of new customers to specify AkzoNobel products.

The key challenge is to identify and develop new customers outside the current distributor network,with an initial focus on key markets across Aisa including Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and South-East Asia. The role will develop and leverage relationships with OEMs and builders and will establish commercial offers that serve the needs of the market.

Key Accountabilities

• Identify, develop and secure new customers independent of our distributors and in line with business development plans/targets.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders in Segment, Product Management, ISC, Technical and Customer Service
• Provide product and technical training and specify AkzoNobel coatings systems as required.
• Be actively involved in marketing initiatives, including boat shows, that are designed to increase the exposure and brand of the Yacht business.
• Monitor local regulatory requirements to help ensure product compliance.
• Provide regular feedback via reports on opportunities, threats, competitor actions, and environmental trends.
• Maintain and update all relevant AkzoNobel internal databases with information and documentation as required. (CRM, Complaint Management, Interspec, etc.)
• Promote a positive and professional company image and develop long-term relations with customers and external stakeholders.
• Deliver periodical progress reports and proactively submit recommendations regarding possible improvements in our approach to the market.
• Attend meetings and training sessions and be proactive and collaborative.
• Be familiar with and act in line with all HSE and compliance regulations, as well as with the AkzoNobel core values and behaviors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business management, economics, chemistry, or related field.
• Five plus years of work experience in commercial roles such as sales, business development or key account management in a B2B environment.
• Ideally understand paints and coatings and their use in the marine/yacht market.
• Possess a solid network within the luxury boat building market in the Asia region.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with a results-oriented mentality and a drive to succeed.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to interact with key decision makers at all levels.
• Ability to travel internationally and excel in multi-cultural environments.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English.
• Possess strong networking, negotiating, influencing, presentation, and report writing/analysis competencies.
• Must work in close collaboration with Sales, Technical, Marketing and ISC teams.
• Skills – Stakeholder management, project management, decision making, creating value propositions, drive, results orientation, communication and presentation, commercial and business acumen, basic understanding of cross functional processes and financial concepts related to sales and cost to serve

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Requisition ID: 48905