Key Account & Technical Manager - Qatar & Bahrain

Job Purpose

• The candidate will operate in a focussed customer facing environment, taking responsibility for the commercial interactions and technical management for the Qatar Business and a commercial lead for the Bahrain marine business.
• Responsible for creating the growth of sales of marine coatings with Key customers including but not limited to Qatar and Bahrain, ensuring that International Paint holds a preferred specification position. 
• Developing strong relationships with the customers within these regions.
• Performs technical management and support within the region, ensuring that adequate support and coverage is managed with the help from the marine technical manager.
• Clear communication with all parties to ensure everybody is aware and aligned on the technical requirements.
• Contributes to quality control by monitoring and advising all stakeholders.
• Keeping the company safe from potential failures by ensuring preventive measures are in place to avoid complaints. 
• Aligns and cooperates with Sales & Marketing, Customer service, Tender & RD&I on new product launches.
• Manages daily routine of technical service management and commercial success.
• As focal point of commercial and technical expertise with the customer, maintains and updates knowledge on products, and application methods including for Class 0 products (Intersleek, Interline). 
• Key contact for the execution of successful tenders. 

Key Accountabilities

Sales activities:

• Fully responsible for the development/maintenance of long-standing relationships with large key customers and accounts in the LNG business.
• Managing the day to sales activities.
• Deliver sales plans based upon customer schedules for the supply and demand teams.  
• Be an integral part of the Middle East Marine coatings team through strong communication with stakeholders.
• Responsible for tender submissions, contract implementation and claim handling as the focal contact at the customer, as well as delivering on budget commitments. 
• You will be required to have an aligned strategy with the regional sales manager and implement the same.
• Be a focal point for project information, expertise and analytics.

Technical service activities:

• Represent the Company during M&R projects; protect the interests of the Company and provide advice to Customers.
• Obtain approval from the sales manager if any revisions to the paint specification are requested.
• Produce a final paint specification which should be submitted to the customer.
• Align paint deliveries with the logistics team.
• Ensure suitable technical inspections (fouling, paint condition, surface preparation and paint application) are managed with customers, shipyard’s and their subcontractor’s QC personnel.
• Manage demonstrations of paint / non-paint and transfer the knowledge on processes as well as on technical problem solving to the customers.
• Arrange calibration of inspection and PPE equipment.
• Be responsible for the technical activities in the shipyard and ensure technical service team manage all aspects of the M&R activities as per the Akzonobel guidelines.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a sales/ technical role or similar position, min 10 years in painting industry (ship building, ship repair). 
• Strong background in silicone coating technologies is critical for the role. 
• NACE II or FROSIO III Paint inspector qualification
• Good English language skills with Arabic and/or Korean as a plus
• Independent and self-starter in planning and managing work schedules with a high level of personal and professional integrity with limited need of direct management support
• Ability to act as a local authority on all technical issues and takes the lead on resolving them effectively. 
• Sound knowledge on paint products, application technologies, coating international standards and coating certification. Marine new building experience is a plus.