European Distribution Sales Specialist

London, England, United Kingdom

12/5/2024

Synthomer is an innovative and differentiated global leader in sustainable polymer solutions. The Group is one of the world’s foremost suppliers of water based polymers and has leadership positions in many markets. Our polymers help customers create innovative new products and enhance the performance of existing products in key industries such as coatings, construction, adhesives, textiles, paper and nitrile medical gloves.

With the acquisition of Eastman Adhesive Resins in 2022 and Omnova Solutions in 2020, Synthomer grew its global manufacturing network, expanded its product portfolio and boosted its geographical presence, allowing it to better serve over 6000 customers around the world. Synthomer has its operational headquarters in London, UK, and provides customer-focused services from regional centres in Harlow, UK; Marl, Germany; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Beachwood, Ohio, USA. It employs more than 5000 employees across over 40 sites and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The Distribution Sales Specialist is responsible for supporting business growth via the distribution channel in Europe. The role will work closely with the European Distribution Manager to manage the company's sales through our network of distribution partners. The role will have direct responsibility for a number of distribution partners in the region. The distribution partners will be split between European Distribution Manager and Distribution Sales Manager. This position will establish annual sales growth and activity plans, drive their execution, manage the resources required for our distribution partners to be successful, and review distribution partner performance.

Main Accountabilities

• Lead sales activities for responsible accounts, including pricing, setting growth targets, growing opportunity pipeline and ensuring our distributors meet budget targets. Increase business growth and profitability at all European distributors, assist European distribution manager where necessary
• Joint visits with distributors to end customers where necessary should be done to support business growth
• Attendance to relevant trade shows, conferences and seminars representing both Synthomer and Distribution Partners
• Quarterly review sessions to be held with each responsible distributor with an action plan for following quarters to be put in place
• Ensure KPIs are set for all distributors and are tracked against performance. Identify any gaps with European distribution network against KPIs and rectify
• Follow Synthomer’s distribution governance and best practices and ensure all distributors are performing well against these
• Support with interviewing new distribution candidates and ensuring all current distributors are performing to our rating criteria.
• Support Head of Global Distribution with analysis of global distribution performance monthly, comparing to both forecast and budget to highlight any gaps and business loss. Prepare reports, budgets, and ensure proper record-keeping practices to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas of improvement for each distribution partner.
• Prepare monthly report with European distribution manager to report distributor performance back to the Coatings and Construction Solutions business unit
• Ensure up to date information in CRM database for all European distributors, including writing of visit reports, management of opportunity pipeline and data is relevant
  
  

Person Specification

• A minimum of 3 years of experience ideally within the Specialty Chemicals space, some experience managing distributors is desirable
• Experience managing accounts to grow business profitability
• Previous success in driving growth directly or through distribution network.
• Demonstrated success in creating and executing a structured growth plan, identifying clear objectives and resources needed for success.
• Proven ability to marshal resources to support customers/distributors.
• Strong business/financial acumen, and advanced negotiation skills
• 40% travel within Europe
  
  

Why Synthomer?

We are ambitious!

We have grown significantly – both organically and inorganically. We are a FTSE 250 listed company, 22% of our revenue comes from newly commercialized products, and we’re recognized in the top-quartile for chemicals manufacturing safety.

We believe in high challenge, high support!

We are keen to let you contribute in real roles from day 1. We expect a lot, but offer a lot, too. This includes onboarding, induction and learning events, networking opportunities, mentoring and personal development planning. So, be up for an inspiring long-term career adventure.

We personalize our approach to development!

At Synthomer, you won't find generic career tracks or development programs but rather a one-size-fits-one approach to employee development. We'll partner with you to ensure you have the right experiences that build your capabilities and accelerate your career growth.