Sales Manager South Region

Role Purpose

The role is responsible for driving business development and sales execution across Auto OEM, Commercial Vehicles and Industrial segments, while building strong customer relationships and ensuring sustainable business growth.

The incumbent will work closely with OEMs, applicators and large key accounts, and collaborate with cross-functional teams including Supply Chain, R&D, Quality, Logistics and Technical Service to ensure effective customer servicing and business delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive sales and business development across Auto OEM, Commercial Vehicle and Industrial customers.
• Manage relationships with OEMs, Tier 1 / Tier 2 partners, applicators and large key accounts to ensure business continuity and growth.
• Deliver the AOP revenue targets for the assigned geography / customer portfolio.
• Drive new business opportunities and follow up on new projects and product approvals, including OEM colour audits.
• Represent the organisation in discussions with OEMs and applicator customers.
• Work closely with internal cross-functional teams to ensure timely commercial and technical support.
• Liaise with R&D for new product development and customer-specific requirements.
• Partner with the Technical Service team to ensure effective service delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate with parent / global OEM teams, wherever required, to obtain timely support for India operations.
• Drive adoption and effective usage of CRM processes.
• Ensure effective demand planning and forecasting, both internally and with customers.
• Monitor and manage credit limits, collections and payment efficiency.
• Ensure customer line and process audits are conducted and that applicator lines adhere to relevant OEM specifications and standards.
• Manage and develop the sales team to deliver business and customer objectives.

Key Accountabilities

The role holder will be accountable for:

• Sales to Auto OEM applicators, CV and Industrial customers.
• Achievement of revenue and business targets within agreed margins.
• Development of new customers and projects.
• Customer relationship management and retention.
• Demand and forecast accuracy.
• Collections and payment efficiency.
• Coordination of technical approvals and customer service.
• Team performance and sales KPIs.

Decision-Making Responsibility

Within approved business guidelines, the role holder will have responsibility for:

• Driving sales across Auto OEM, CV and Industrial segments through applicators.
• Delivering budgets within approved commercial margins.
• Managing customer forecasts and demand planning.
• Driving customer process and line audits.
• Ensuring adherence to OEM specifications at applicator lines.
• Managing customer credit and payment efficiency.
• Taking other business decisions as delegated by the Line Manager.

Candidate Profile

Education

• Degree / Diploma in Paint Technology, OR
• Degree in Chemical Engineering, OR
• M.Sc. Chemistry
• MBA would be an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in a B2B industry.
• Experience in Auto OEM / automotive coatings / applicator ecosystem preferred.
• Exposure to Tier 1 / Tier 2 customers.
• Team management experience, particularly managing sales KPIs, would be preferred.
• Prior exposure to CRM systems and processes.