Distribution manager Nordics

Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes provides coatings and services for collision repairers and commercial vehicle refinishers via the brands Dynacoat, Sikkens Lesonal and Autocoat BT. Our Nordic head office is situated in Stockholm. In the Nordics there is a focus on collision repairs of cars and refinishes for trucks. We are a Nordic organization and belongs to AkzoNobels Vehicle Refinishes, one of the leading suppliers within the commercial car and airplanes industry. Vehicle Refinished head office is located in Sassenheim, Netherlands, where we also have the biggest development, manufacturing, and distribution centers. 

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? We are looking for a Distribution Manager with automotive experience to drive growth through our distributor network across the Nordics.

What can AkzoNobel offer you?

At AkzoNobel you are met by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We work together with a focus on innovation and sustainability, to be the leader in our industry. Diversity enriches our workplaces and we work actively together with our employees to make them thrive and develop. We work strategically to become a better employer. This has resulted in that we have been appointed one of Sweden's Karriärföretag 2026. We offer you an international working environment where you take on rewarding and challenging tasks that broaden your horizon and develop you in your role. You will work with competent and like-minded colleagues who share your attitude and enthusiasm.

As an employee at AkzoNobel, you will also enjoy a range of attractive benefits:

• Collective agreement with competitive terms and conditions
• Wellness allowance to support your health and well-being
• Employee discount in all Nordsjö stores
• Subsidized lunch benefit through Edenred
• Working time reduction (ATK), providing additional paid time off

What will you do? 

As Distribution Manager Nordics, you will play a key role in driving the growth and development of our Automotive business across the Nordic region. You will be responsible for managing and developing relationships with distributors, importers, and key channel partners to strengthen market presence, drive profitable growth, and ensure successful execution of our commercial strategy.

Working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners, you will act as the main point of contact for our distribution network, ensuring alignment on business objectives, sales activities, and market development initiatives.

Your main responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute sales strategies/plans in the marketplace and deliver expected top- and bottom-line results for the segment in the allocated region. 
• Provides feedback understand how customers are utilizing our products and how well those products align versus competitive products. Primarily focusing on key accounts e.g architects and specifiers.
• Travel regularly within the Nordic region to visit distributors, customers, and key stakeholders. ( Travel 3-4 days a week and 1-2 day in the home office )
• Nurture and maintain professional relationships with customers and resellers by working actively with our sales strategies, providing support and service and thereby actively strengthen our position in the market
• Participate actively in our business development and implement this with our customers
• Maintain accurate records and customer information in sales support systems.

This is a permanent employment. Location is flexible either in Norway, Sweden, Finland or Denmark. You will be offered to work from home, home office. You will report to Country Sales Manager Nordics. 

Who you are? 

As a person, you are an independent and structured professional with strong ownership, discipline, and a clear focus on delivering results. Customer focus and relationship building come naturally to you, and you engage and motivate customers to create mutual value. You communicate effectively both in English and in a Scandinavian language with a wide range of stakeholders and adapt your style to different audiences, enabling you to succeed in complex, commercial environments.

To succeed as a Distribution Manager, you have following qualities:  

Skills:

• Skills: Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively in both internal and external settings.
• Customer-focused and goal-oriented mindset with a professional and trustworthy approach to developing long-term partnerships.
• Structured and independent working style with strong self-discipline, planning ability, and accountability for delivering results.
• Fluent in a Scandinavian language and English, both spoken and written.

Experience

• Proven understanding and experience of the automotive aftermarket value chain, including distributors, importers, and body shop networks.
• Experience working within multi-layered distribution structures and managing commercial relationships across indirect sales channels.
• Strong background in value-based selling, with demonstrated experience in driving growth through distributors and workshop networks.
• Strong understanding of customer profitability, cost-to-serve, and key commercial drivers within automotive service and repair environments.
• Demonstrated experience in building and managing long-term relationships with distributors, workshop chains, and other key stakeholders.
• Solid product and market knowledge within automotive refinish or related technical product segments is considered a strong advantage.

Education 

• A degree in Business Administration, Economics or a related field is considered a merit. However, we place greater value on relevant experience, industry knowledge, and a proven track record of creating customer value and driving business results.

Your application

At AkzoNobel we are very committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best selves. We strive to embrace diversity, tolerance and respect. Our recruitment process plays a major role in this journey as it lays the foundation for a diverse work environment. In our organization, all qualified applicants are treated from an equal perspective regardless of ethnic origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability.

We review applications on an ongoing basis and unfortunately do not accept applications via email.

For more information about the recruiting process please contact, Isabella Segovia Lundh, Junior Talent Acquisition Partner, Isabella.segovialundh@akzonobel.com