Sales Support Specialist

We've been pioneering a world of possibilities to bring surfaces to life for well over 200 years. As experts in making coatings, there's a good chance you're only ever a few meters away from one of our products. 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 have set our sights on becoming the global industry leader. It's what you'd expect from the most sustainable paints company, which has been inventing the future for more than two centuries.

Job Purpose

The AkzoNobel Coatings Sales Support Specialist is an important facet of the AkzoNobel Sales Team and plays an essential role in communication with internal and external customers by using extensive product and industry knowledge and experience to exemplify our brand image as an ambassador, as well as provide positive brand experiences to all customers
The CSR assists customers and AkzoNobel Sales Team by research, coordination of information, entering customer orders, claim information, tracking short pays, and responding to inquires from internal or external customers.
Ensure Akzo Nobel Coatings processes are followed involving the inspection and accountability of materials and the shipment of items from stock or production in accordance with customer requirements. Correct exception cases of overages, shortages, or damaged items.
Plan, coordinate, or prepare outbound and inbound shipments with team members, public carriers, and customer will calls. Interpret customer's instructions and coordinate special product handling, shipping instructions, or packaging requirements. Assist in maintaining adequate inventory levels, materials, and supplies to support distribution activity.

Key Responsibilities

• The AkzoNobel Coatings Sales Support Specialist is an important facet of the AkzoNobel Sales Team and plays an essential role in communication with internal and external customers by using extensive product and industry knowledge and experience to exemplify our brand image as an ambassador, as well as provide positive brand experiences to all customers
• The Sales Support Specialist assists customers and AkzoNobel Sales Team by research, coordination of information, entering customer orders, claim information, tracking short pays, and responding to inquires from internal or external customers.
• Ensure Akzo Nobel Coatings processes are followed involving the inspection and accountability of materials and the shipment of items from stock or production in accordance with customer requirements. Correct exception cases of overages, shortages, or damaged items.
• Plan, coordinate, or prepare outbound and inbound shipments with team members, public carriers, and customer will calls. Interpret customer's instructions and coordinate special product handling, shipping instructions, or packaging requirements. Assist in maintaining adequate inventory levels, materials, and supplies to support distribution activity.
• Maintains customer contact information
• Researches customer short pays and collecting information to determine if credit is applicable
• Create and deliver qualified opportunities to Account Managers where appropriate.
• Ensure follow-up by passing leads to Account Managers with calls-to-action, dates, complete profile information, sources, and so on.
• Assist in creating RFP responses to potential clients.
• Make outbound follow-up calls to existing customers via telephone and e-mail cross-sell and up-sell.
• Emphasize product/service features and benefits, quote prices, discuss credit terms, and prepare sales order forms and/or reports.
• Ensures customer purchase order (PO) pricing is correct and requests a revised PO in the event a correction is applicable
• Provides the Accounting Department with customer information for Customer Master
• Notify the Accounting Department on ZCOST formula issues
• Other duties as deemed necessary by department business conditions

• High School Diploma or GED, required
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree, preferred
• 5+ years experience on SAP
• Success in qualifying opportunities involving multiple key decision makers.
• Strong knowledge of sales principles, methods, practices, and techniques.
• Strong problem identification and objection resolution skills.
• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with customers.
• Exceptional verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to multi-task and balance priorities
• Must have knowledge of basic computer skills and have the ability to use Excel, Word, SAP and able to adapt to software applications.
• Must be able to communicate both in person and on the telephone, enter information on the computer and read various instructions given to them