AkzoNobel
Kingfisher Customer Business Lead
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About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. 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 use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.
For more information, please visit www.akzonobel.com
© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.
Customer Business Lead – Kingfisher
Location: Slough - 1 to 2 days per week in Slough
Competitive salary plus market-leading benefits package
We’re looking for an experienced and strategic Customer Business Lead to take ownership of AkzoNobel’s largest Decorative Paint customer – Kingfisher. In this role, you’ll lead the commercial strategy, drive profitable growth, and build senior-level partnerships across the UK and Europe.
At AkzoNobel, we’re proud of our market-leading brands and strong customer relationships. As a key member of the Sales Leadership Team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping our retail strategy, leading high-performing teams, and delivering significant business impact.
What you’ll do:
- Lead and develop AkzoNobel’s largest customer account, with direct ownership of a major P&L and influence across a broader European portfolio.
- Define and deliver the strategic direction for the Kingfisher account to drive sustainable growth and profitability.
- Build and maintain strong senior-level relationships across the customer organisation in the UK and internationally.
- Lead and develop the account team, ensuring best-in-class account management and performance delivery.
- Negotiate complex commercial agreements including trading terms, pricing, promotions, and category initiatives.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration with internal teams including Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain.
- Deliver continuous improvement across business processes to unlock efficiencies and cost savings.
- Use data and insight to identify growth opportunities and improve business performance.
- Act as a key member of the Sales Leadership Team, contributing to wider commercial strategy and business objectives.
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What you bring:
- Proven track record of delivering sustained growth with major retail or national account customers.
- Extensive experience in account leadership and P&L ownership at a significant scale.
- Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of how to maximize profitable growth.
- Experience leading cross-functional and international teams.
- Exceptional communication, influencing, and negotiation skills at a senior level.
- Ability to manage complex customer relationships and operate effectively in dynamic market conditions.
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
Who you are:
- A strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset.
- A confident leader who inspires and develops high-performing teams.
- A skilled relationship builder capable of influencing at all levels.
- Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Results-driven with a clear focus on delivering profitable growth.
- Collaborative, with a strong ability to work across functions and geographies.
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Why AkzoNobel?
At AkzoNobel, you’ll be part of a global organisation with a proud heritage and a forward-thinking approach. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead one of our most important customer partnerships, influence strategy at a senior level, and make a measurable impact on our business performance.
Ready to take on a high-impact leadership role? Apply now and help us drive continued success with one of our most strategic customers.
At AkzoNobel, we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason, we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability.
Requisition ID: 53873
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