Our client is looking for a Strategic Account Director to manage their pre-clinical solution, based in the Munich area of Germany.

The Strategic Account Director acts as the primary contact between specified customer base and client departments, managing area client relations by selling products/services, managing company portfolio, gathering marketing information about current and future customer needs, and providing updated technical information to customers. Acts vertically and horizontally at high levels within assigned accounts. Moves relationship from customer perspective of vendor to partner. Views and presents the client's value proposition holistically. Contributes internally with a high level of professionalism and collegiality. Leads and obtains consensus with stake holders to execute objectives successfully.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Increasing customer satisfaction through problem solving, troubleshooting, working with Taconic departments (e.g., credits for customers, discounts, etc.)

Gaining knowledge of customer base through customer profiling (e.g., products, services, organizational structure)

Reporting on external customers to track growth, to meet Master Service Agreements, to monitor spend per their agreements

Provide internal customers with information via reports, requests, forecasts, etc.

Increasing customer awareness via trade shows, site visits, professional organizational meetings, etc.

Prospecting for new business in addition to growing and maintaining the existing customer portfolio, and qualifying new leads to maintain identified business to support a balanced sales funnel for future sales

Sales negotiations and deal closure at the customer, interfacing with all key buying influencers focusing on high level leadership but also including direct users of the product and regional leadership.

Generating proposals, preparing sales quotations, planning customer meetings, and demonstrating capabilities in assigned accts.

Expected to sell long-term contracts and drive margin though selling value

Develop and maintain a high level of product knowledge and competitive products.

Achieve annual and quarterly achievement of revenue targets through accurate monthly and quarterly forecasting, by prioritizing selling time to generate sales volume, achieve account penetration and complete territory coverage.

Maintaining satisfactory after-sale relationships and development of long-term customer relationships coupled with the ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities that immediately satisfy customer needs.

Develop account penetration strategies for key targets and overall territory development and communicating current market intelligence back to the business, along with field concerns, issues and requirements.

Providing leadership in market analysis and development/execution of strategies and action plans to drive product sales.

Contribute to training and development of new account managers (joint field work, resources to address technical questions and discuss sales techniques / strategy, set example by taking a lead role in participating in group meetings)

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university, or technical/managerial experience at an equivalent level.

Certification at the RLAT level is desired.

EXPERIENCE

• strong, proven experience as the direct customer contact and proven ability to meet revenue objectives and to communicate effectively with customers at the Senior Manager and Officers level; AND
• Experience in principles, concepts, and methodology of a professional or administrative occupation and skill in applying this experience in implementing and coordinating assignments, operations, programs or procedures; OR

Experience in a wide range of methods, principles, and practices similar to a narrow area of a professional field, and skill in applying this experience to such assignments as the design and planning of difficult, but well-precedented projects.

TRAVEL

Frequent travel - generally multiple trips each month and primary job responsibility includes traveling. Overnight travel is required.