Key Account Manager

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, ensuring satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
• Drive sales through direct channels, managing key accounts and acquiring new business in petroleum and personal care industries across Southern Africa.
• Serve as the primary liaison between customers and internal teams to meet performance objectives.
• Develop business plans, conduct article calculations, and oversee product launches to meet deadlines.
• Manage customer pricing cycles, negotiate where necessary, and ensure optimal pricing levels.
• Generate cost estimates for raw materials and overheads using the existing Matrix model.
• Maximize sales and profitability by implementing competitive pricing strategies.
• Participate in tenders, RFQs, contract negotiations, and project follow-ups.
• Oversee contract management from business award to service level agreements.
• Attend and contribute to weekly Sales & Operational Planning meetings.
• Conduct periodic business and performance reviews with key customers.
• Stay updated on market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments.
• Meet assigned targets for profitable sales volume and strategic objectives.
• Identify and implement solutions that address customer needs effectively.
• Prepare annual sales budgets and provide monthly progress reports.
• Deliver presentations on new projects for customers and sales teams.
• Travel for high-level customer meetings to strengthen business relationships.
• Follow up on overdue payments to ensure timely settlements.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Completed technical or commercial bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in Sales/Marketing/Economics
• +4 years of experience in Key Account Management or equivalent
• An affinity for numbers and technical aspects of product manufacture
• Enthusiasm for a demanding industrial product and technical understanding of the packaging industry, ideally plastic packaging

ROLE MODEL FOR OUR IDENTITY:

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate and live the ALPLA Identity through the following
behavioural competencies:

Our Purpose: Act as a role model by living the ALPLA identity and contributing to a culture that reflects our values, personality, promise, and principles.

Our Promise:

• We create trust
• We build respect
• We develop potential
• We ensure excellent results

Our Principles:

• Be Reliable
• Solve Problems
• Make Decisions
• Communicate Effectively