Business Director

Axalta•Troy, MI

About The Position

Axalta is currently anticipating a future opening for a Business Director in their Mobility business unit. This posting is intended to collect interest for an anticipated upcoming vacancy. This role will drive the execution of the regional account strategy while ensuring customer intimacy and satisfying the customer’s business needs. The Business Director is responsible for ensuring strategic and operational alignment within the region as well as with the technical and operational functions. The role is responsible for managing and growing sales while delivering financial targets for assigned areas of responsibility. Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions, engineering technologies that protect customers’ products and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. They have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands important for modernizing infrastructure and enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles. Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, serving four end markets across North America, EMEA, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. Their diverse global footprint allows them to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. Axalta has set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and works with customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Engineering or Business required
At least eight 10+ years of automotive, chemical, or related industry experience to include a combination of sales, technical and marketing experience displaying finance and business acumen.
Experienced at strategic account planning; led negotiation and management of complex accounts
Effective communication skills with the ability to work with all levels of the organization and customers
Experience in negotiation and management of complex customers
Entrepreneurial mindset
Good ability to take complex decisions and be accountable, demonstrating managerial courage and taking responsibility while managing risks
Results oriented with outstanding communication skills
Strong financial acumen.
Demonstrated experience in leading change and driving sales excellence
Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate cross functional business teams
Record of successfully developing future leaders
Ability to travel up to 30% - 40%

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in technical field or MBA preferred.
Knowledge of Automotive OEM Finishes and the OEM’s is desired

Responsibilities

Deliver the annual budget commitments
Keep tight controls on account receivable and past dues
Operationalize the Global Account Strategy in region and grow market share
Identify and prioritize core business priorities
Identify targets and put success factors in place to realize
Find new opportunities through strategic projects and develop unique value preposition
Determine competitive pricing and internal investment
Forecast, track, report customer/business needs, industry trends and performance indicators
Manage and update the demand plan
Ensure effective product plan for region
Implement raw material indexation following strategy from Global business Director
Responsible to make sure the Campfire system and Salesforce.com are always updated
Forecast, track, report customer/business needs and performance indicators
Effectively manage and grow sales for the regional account
Proactively manage costs to serve selling expenses
Explores, identifies, and develops new businesses
Partner with Product teams to set priorities
Monitor competitors’ activities
Identify opportunities to increase earnings from services.
Follow strategy from Global account Director
Build formal customer relationship plans and customer intimacy through good relationships, customer knowledge and managing customer satisfaction, drive customer intimacy to the local account team
Take the voice of the customer and deliver to executable actions
Drive profitability by optimizing cost to serve, formula, technical cost, etc.
Responsible for providing accurate and timely feedback to Global Business Director
Interface with functions to ensure product quality and availability
Promote the introduction of newly developed technologies to customers
Build, lead, and develop regional teams.
Coach and mentor employees, providing career development planning and succession opportunities.
Empower employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.
Delegate responsibility while providing regular feedback.
Maintain transparent communication.
Appropriately communicate organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email
Cultivate a strong team culture by enhancing and building highly effective and collaborative cross-functional relationships throughout the business.
Through integrity and dependability, build relationships at all levels to help support change initiatives that help teams deliver value.
Continuously identify ways to improve by engaging with staff and bringing perspective on new ideas.