Area Account Manager

• Are you a keen salesperson with a passion for premium, market-leading brands?
• KNIPEX are looking for a self-motivated and strategic salesperson

About Our Client

KNIPEX is the market leader in pliers for professional users. We are an economically independent company in the fourth generation of family ownership and are still located at the founding location in Wuppertal-Cronenberg, Germany. Since 1882, we have focused on the development and manufacture of high-quality pliers and related tools.

We feel connected to our environment and from this, we derive our commitment to resource-conserving production methods, an ethical corporate culture, and the promotion of the common good. The most important basis for our success is our employees. Their knowledge and skills, commitment and ideas determine our performance and thus our future.

KNIPEX Tools UK Ltd is the UK subsidiary of KNIPEX, with an office in Leeds, England. The subsidiary is on course for continuous sustainable growth with strategic expansion plans. It is an exciting time to join! Our values allow our employees to perform and progress intuitively whilst ensuring that family and work are well-balanced. A positive environment where personal development is offered, and commitment is rewarded.

Job Description

The Area Account Manager based in the North of England will be tasked with developing Accounts within the Northern region. You will work closely with the UK Head of Sales & Marketing and the broader team in both the UK and Germany.

You will build relationships with key decisions makers to develop regional accounts in the designated territory and increase market share.

Organisation is key. You must have the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and be structured, focused and detail-oriented.

Key Responsibilities:

Customer relationships:
o Regional account management developing and executing strategic customer plans.
o Working collaboratively with wholesale and retail partners to increase product ranges, drive sales and increase brand awareness
Business growth:
o Highlighting and developing new business sales opportunities within the region, in line with well-defined route to market strategy.
Brand development:
o Providing training and support to customers and end users, including regular customer visits and demonstrations at trade shows, to increase brand knowledge and highlight added value benefits synonyms with KNIPEXs' high-end products.
o Build relationships with trade colleges & training centres to actively contribute to the professional development of the industry.

The Successful Applicant

• Entrepreneurial with the ability to create own strategic plans.
• Organised and disciplined, with strong commercial awareness. Success is important to us, but we are not looking for it at any cost.
• Self-motivated with strong negotiation skills, must have enthusiasm to find and win new business.
• Passionate with solution selling focus, clear ability to articulate features and benefits over price.
• An excellent communicator who can overcome customer objections and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Team focused and able to build strong relationship both internally and externally.
• A proactive individual who is target driven and is keen to personally develop.
• A proven track record in sales, preferably having worked for a premium manufacturer selling into distribution partners.
• Experience dealing with distributors within the Electrical, Plumbing or Industrial markets would be highly advantageous.
• Previous experience dealing with Key / National accounts will be a distinct advantage, as the business continuous to evolve their account strategy.
• Based in the North of England and able to travel extensively across the defined region.

What's on Offer

• £40k - £45k, plus a 15% results-based bonus
• Private Health care
• Pension scheme
• Company car (Petrol or Diesel)
• 40 hours per week, flexible working
• 27 days per year paid holiday plus bank holidays
• Internal and external training & personal development opportunities

Requirements:

• A valid driving license.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role
• Degree-educated, preferably in Business related studies
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Analytical with the ability to interpret data into insights.
• Focused with a great attention to detail.
• Time management and organisational skills are a must, with clear emphasis on prioritisation. Previous CRM (Salesforce) experience preferred.
• Regular travel to exhibitions & events (ca. 1 per month) throughout the UK
• Travel to our UK Head office in Leeds (ca. 4/6 per year), and Global Head office in Germany (ca. 2 per year)

Applying:

This is a UK role with an office based in Morley, Leeds. We are currently only accepting applications for individuals eligible to work full-time in the UK, live in the North of England and are able to meet the travel requirements.

We are asking candidates to send a short video highlighting why you would be the right person for this role along with their CV. Please note this isn't a formal requirement, but could enhance your application for the role.

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.