Introduction

As the Key Account Manager for the German and Swiss market, you will play a pivotal role in driving sales and fostering strong customer relationships. Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing a comprehensive understanding of the market, customer needs, and industry trends.
• Identifying key decision-makers and establishing strong relationships with potential customers.
• Proactively identifying and developing new customer opportunities.
• You combine both commercial and marketing skills to achieve the company’s objectives.

Organization

Papeteries Clairefontaine located in the heart of Europe. A symbol of quality, Clairefontaine has inherited a unique know-how in the manufacture and the conversion of paper. Clairefontaine is constantly in search of perfection; the rigour and efficiency of the processes put in place guarantee an irreproachable quality to its papers, justifying its reputation. Over the years, Clairefontaine has earned the confidence of consumers, thanks to its ability to adapt to new technologies and to changing customer demand.

Clairefontaine consist out of 4 paper mills, one in the Netherlands and 3 in France. You can find more information about the company at: www.clairefontaine.eu.

Function

Key Responsibilities:

• You are responsible for actively cultivating the market, reaching out to customers, visiting prospects, and preparing quotations.
• Cultivating and maintaining positive relationships with customers and prospects, utilizing effective negotiation strategies and business development techniques.
• Addressing customer needs by offering technical solutions based on internal services and expanding the product range.
• Implementing communication strategies to support business objectives, including organizing factory visits for clients and analyzing processes to suggest optimizations.
• Providing valuable insights to management colleagues on emerging market trends.
• Collaborating closely with Supply Chain and Manufacturing teams to ensure the successful delivery of planned volumes and managing any deviations to maintain service quality.
• Analyzing and agreeing on customer credit policies in coordination with Sales Managers and Credit Managers and assisting in resolving payment issues and recovering outstanding balances.
• Identifying gaps in sales performance, defining corrective actions, and managing claims with mill support.
• Collaborating with Mills management and Technical Customer Service (TCS) to develop products aligned with market trends and customer needs.
• Collaborating with the marketing department to develop and execute marketing actions aimed at increasing the company’s visibility and attracting new customers.
• Contributing to defining the budget of the plant, selling to assigned customers to achieve budget targets, and supporting the long-term strategy of the Group across the area and assigned customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Extensive experience in sales roles within the paper/board/packaging industry, in the graphic paper industry and, if possible, good knowledge of high-speed inkjet printing market.
• Self-motivated, independent, and autonomous.
• Creative thinker with experience in international business.
• Effective communicator and discussion partner with customers and potential clients.
• Adaptable, humble, and accountable for performance and results.
• Efficient in managing tasks and responsibilities.
• Fluent in German and English.

Offer

• A Permanent position within a financial stable family-owned company
• A competitive annual gross salary
• Good secondary conditions
• An additional bonus 
• Company Car
• Home office

Information

Paper Support One is an executive search agency specialized in the Pulp, Paper, Tissue and Board industry. Clairefontaine works exclusively with Paper Support One for the position of Key Account Manager Germany/Switzerland. If you have any questions, please contact Pim van Meeuwen (+31653265511)

Application

We are looking forward to your application. Please apply via our website, click the apply button and upload your CV.