Area Sales Manager

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Area Sales Manager based in United Kingdom.

The Area Sales Manager will own commercial growth across the DACH and Central & Eastern European markets, with a focus on the tire and rubber goods industries. This is a revenue-generating B2B sales role with responsibility for strategic customer relationships, profitability, and territory performance. You will develop sales strategies, manage forecasts, identify new opportunities, and lead complex pricing and contract negotiations. The role combines consultative selling with strong commercial discipline and close collaboration with technical and regional resources. You will act as a trusted advisor to customers, helping them identify solutions that address their evolving application and business needs. Success will require strong market knowledge, negotiation capabilities, and the ability to translate customer needs into profitable growth opportunities. The position offers a flexible, collaborative environment where you can take ownership of your territory and contribute directly to broader commercial strategy.

Accountabilities

• Own sales performance across the assigned DACH and CEE territory, with accountability for revenue growth, volume, and margin performance.
• Develop sales plans, strategies, forecasts, and commercial programs designed to achieve sustainable and profitable business results.
• Build a strong understanding of customer and portfolio profitability and identify areas where differentiated value can be created.
• Manage customer accounts through disciplined use of CRM and commercial planning tools, maintaining accurate forecasts and account plans.
• Conduct balance-of-power analyses, develop market maps, and apply structured negotiation methodologies to strengthen commercial outcomes.
• Lead complex customer negotiations covering pricing, contracts, product value, features, and benefits while protecting profitability.
• Identify, develop, and close new business opportunities, including opportunities involving new products and solutions aligned with customer needs.
• Educate customers on new products and enhancements and clearly communicate their technical and commercial value.
• Serve as a trusted commercial advisor by understanding customer applications and coordinating regional technical resources where additional support is required.
• Develop and implement marketing and sales strategies based on customer needs, market dynamics, competitive conditions, and growth opportunities.
• Gather customer intelligence and anticipate present and future needs to identify opportunities for increased sales.
• Contribute commercial insight and leadership to broader strategic initiatives and programs supporting business objectives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field; an MBA is considered a plus.
• 7+ years of professional sales experience within the chemical industry, ideally in a B2B environment involving technical products or specialty materials.
• Strong understanding of relevant markets, customer applications, and the ability to communicate and capture the value created by technical products and solutions.
• Demonstrated experience managing strategic customer relationships and building trusted partnerships that support long-term commercial objectives.
• Proven ability to own business results through effective planning, organization, prioritization, forecasting, and performance monitoring.
• Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to understand profitability drivers and engage confidently with senior business stakeholders.
• Experience identifying, developing, negotiating, and closing new business opportunities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and appropriately with different audiences.
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving abilities, with a practical approach to identifying and developing solutions to customer and business challenges.
• Full professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is required; additional languages relevant to the assigned territory are a strong advantage.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities effectively, and collaborate within a highly networked, international commercial organization.

Benefits:

• Flexible work environment with autonomy to manage your schedule and priorities.
• Collaborative, values-driven team culture focused on meaningful work and shared success.
• Opportunities for professional development, skills growth, peer support, and career progression.
• Exposure to international markets and strategic customer relationships across DACH and Central & Eastern Europe.
• Regular feedback and an open environment designed to support professional success.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to commercial strategy and sustainable business growth.
• Supportive, team-oriented environment with strong collaboration across commercial and technical functions.
• Competitive compensation and employee support programs aligned with the local employment market.