Regional Sales Manager – Paints & Coatings
📍 Location: Brussels, Belgium
🌍 Territory: France, Benelux & North Africa
✈️ Travel: Up to 60%
🏭 Industry: Paints & Coatings / Performance Minerals
Our client is a global leader in mineral-based performance solutions, supplying a broad range of industrial sectors including paints & coatings, construction, plastics, adhesives, and specialty chemicals. With a long history of innovation and manufacturing excellence, the company operates dozens of production sites worldwide and employs thousands of people across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Africa.
They are now seeking an experienced Regional Sales Manager – Paints & Coatings to drive commercial performance across France, Benelux and North Africa. This is a strategic and customer-facing role responsible for managing a €20–25M revenue portfolio and 40–45 key accounts across the region. Accounts range from €300K to €2M per customer, combining medium and large strategic clients.
The role requires balancing new business development with a “hunter” mindset and long-term relationship building and key account management, while navigating a complex internal and market environment.
What You Will Do
Commercial Growth & Account Leadership
* Lead profitable sales growth across the region, driving volumes, revenues, margins, and pricing performance.
* Develop and execute strategic account plans in coordination with Marketing, Technical Support, and S&OP teams.
* Own all major contract negotiations, commercial packages, and strategic pricing initiatives.
* Manage a portfolio of 40–45 key accounts, ranging from €300K to €2M revenue per account, including medium and large strategic clients.
* Navigate internal complexities across multiple functions and teams, which may evolve depending on market conditions or geopolitical factors.
Customer Experience & Market Influence
* Build strong, long-term relationships with key accounts in the Paints & Coatings sector.
* Act as the regional voice of the customer, ensuring top-tier satisfaction and rapid response to issues.
* Conduct regular customer visits (~60% travel) and maintain accurate CRM reporting and performance analysis.
* Understand customer processes, key technical challenges, and market drivers; technical expertise is not required but technical curiosity is essential.
New Business Development & Innovation
* Identify and convert new customer opportunities, cross-sell solutions, and increase share of wallet.
* Support innovation by feeding customer insights and performance needs into the product development pipeline.
* Drive continuous improvement in conversion rates and opportunity management.
* Oversee a complex portfolio of 13 mineral families and over 100 products, ensuring alignment with customer needs and business priorities.
Financial & Operational Excellence
* Support working capital optimisation through improved DSO and payment terms.
* Deliver accurate forecasts for budgeting, S&OP, and finance.
* Ensure full adherence to safety culture and promote best-in-class standards with internal and external stakeholders.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a commercial “hunter” who is also a strong relationship builder, with a solid understanding of key account management in complex industrial environments.
What You Bring
* Bachelors degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Marketing, or similar
* Experience in the Paints & Coatings industry (mandatory) or with key suppliers to the coatings sector such as mineral producers, TiO₂ producers, binder/resin manufacturers, specialty raw material suppliers.
* 5+ years of experience in Sales, Account Management or Business Development
* Native French and fluent English are required for this role, other language is a plus
* Strong understanding of industrial processes and performance minerals is a plus
* Technical curiosity and understanding of industrial customer challenges
* Proven success managing a significant revenue portfolio
* Good understanding of basic financial and legal concepts
* Strong negotiation and commercial strategy skills
* Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority
* Customer-centric mindset and strong interpersonal skills
* Entrepreneurial mindset with strong ownership
* Strong stress resilience, curiosity and proactive drive
Why Join
This is a high-visibility commercial role within a global industrial leader, offering the opportunity to:
* Own and grow a €20–25M regional business
* Work with major coatings producers
* Operate in a dynamic international market
* Contribute to innovation in sustainable performance minerals
The company offers a permanent contract and competitive compensation package.
Only candidates who meet the specified requirements will be considered for the role. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.