Jobs at AkzoNobel

Job Purpose

• To provide a central SA order processing service that exceeds our customer’s expectations for all orders for Akzonobel brands.
• Fulfill the “Order to Cash” (OTC) cycle for all assigned orders and ensure processing and monitoring in accordance with agreed terms in order to optimally serve customer needs and be in compliance with law, regulations and Akzonobel procedures.
• Provide a high customer service level by building/maintaining customer relationships both internal & external.
• Compliance to ISO 9001/14001 quality/ environmental management systems & corporate Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) management system.

Key Accountabilities

• Process and manage customer orders (including inter-company, internal and free issues) within the relevant deadline.
• Manage stock-out and provide feedback to customers timeously.
• Manage errors to reduce GRNS.
• To proactively liaise with DCs, Planning and customers during critical service issues while remaining professional at all times.
• Escalate customer concerns on delivery issues that may be costly to the business.
• Maintain a good working relationship with internal and external customers by providing high standard of service and identifying opportunities that allow continuous improvement in service levels.
• Continuous improvement; implement and or optimize work processes, techniques and systems; share knowledge (best practices) and contribute to standardization in order processes to support harmonization and proper usage of systems.
• Have an in-depth knowledge of the Akzonobel brands, our customers and competitors to allow clear sound decisions to be made at short notice.
• Be able to prioritize their work load at all times.
• Carry out administration procedures regarding order filing, reports to internal and external customers.
• Manage and complete required e-learning for self-development. 

Experience

• A minimum of NQF level 5 and of 2 years’ experience in a Call Centre environment. 
• Call Centre diploma would be advantageous. 
• Proficiency in MS Office Packages at an “intermediate” level, SAP, and CRM systems is essential. 
• Knowledge of decorative paint would be an advantage.

go to method of application »

Job Purpose

• Dedicated salesperson who is responsible for the execution of agreed sales and profitability targets (E.g. Budget volume; value and net profit sales) established by the business within the assigned sales area (Limpopo) by developing new business and expanding the business with existing customers (account management).

Responsibilities
Key Accountabilities

• Revenue and margin according to budget (including accounts receivable and DSO)
• Accurate sales and projects forecasting, reporting and pipeline documentation
• Customer retention, acquisition and loss
• Direct contact with customers in the field, representing AkzoNobel in a professional manner to deliver customer satisfaction
• Optimal Customer portfolio and pipeline management (growth & profitability)

Key Activities

• Manage the sales cycle related to a portfolio of customers, in a designated area, to execute sales plan (BTL spend vs Volume/value sales)
• Systematically screen customer base for new opportunities, generate leads and maintain pipeline
• Identify, plan and develop new customers in line with business development and marketing plans and targets.
• Provide appropriate and agreed levels of contact, service and support to ensure sales targets are met.
• Perform extensive customer needs analysis and site surveys, meeting with decision makers, understanding their goals, completing an account profile for each account and identifying challenges.
• Monitor sales against agreed targets and budgets on a regular basis to ensure they are met and where necessary the need for remedial actions are identified, reported and implemented.
• Identifies, targets and implements the approved sales strategies in the assigned marketplace. (Profitability and pricing structures).
• Plans, executes and reports on the sales activities in the assigned sales area. Feedback of market intelligence data and ideas to marketing and channel management.
• Identifies business opportunities, pinpoints and tries to resolve existing and/or potential problems and requests support from the upper management or supporting functions.
• Educate customers and sales force of our customers on features, advantages and benefits of available product lines and services.
• Understand and assess customer’s needs, business objectives, strategies and build compelling customer value propositions representing our portfolio.
• Creates partnerships with customers to proactively grow the category, share of wallet
• Drives efficient credit management
• Take ownership of queries and complaints to ensure resolution on behalf of the customer within agreed deadlines.

Experience

• Minimum Matric
• Retail and trade sale experience
• Closes sales deals by building personal trust and loyalty. 
• Provides service by empathizing with customer concerns. 
• Makes One on One (Sales) Presentations 
• Maximizes results by systematically managing an Account Plan 
• Account penetration by customer base expansion 
• New business development
• Group development

go to method of application »

Job Purpose

• Dedicated frontline sales person who is responsible for the execution of agreed sales and profitability targets (E.g. Budget volume; value and net profit sales) established by the business within the assigned sales area by developing new business and expanding the business with existing customers (account management).

Key Accountabilities

• Revenue and margin according to budget (including accounts receivable and DSO)
• Accurate sales and projects forecasting, reporting and pipeline documentation
• Customer retention, acquisition and loss
• Direct contact with customers in the field, representing AkzoNobel in a professional manner to deliver customer satisfaction
• Optimal Customer portfolio and pipeline management (growth & profitability)

Key Activities

• Manage the sales cycle related to a portfolio of customers, in a designated area, to execute sales plan (BTL spend vs Volume/value sales)
• Systematically screen customer base for new opportunities, generate leads and maintain pipeline
• Identify, plan and develop new customers in line with business development and marketing plans and targets.
• Provide appropriate and agreed levels of contact, service and support to ensure sales targets are met.
• Perform extensive customer needs analysis and site surveys, meeting with decision makers, understanding their goals, completing an account profile for each account and identifying challenges.
• Monitor sales against agreed targets and budgets on a regular basis to ensure they are met and where necessary the need for remedial actions are identified, reported and implemented.
• Identifies, targets and implements the approved sales strategies in the assigned marketplace. (Profitability and pricing structures). 
• Plans, executes and reports on the sales activities in the assigned sales area. Feedback of market intelligence data and ideas to marketing and channel management.
• Identifies business opportunities, pinpoints and tries to resolve existing and/or potential problems and requests support from the upper management or supporting functions.
• Educate customers and sales force of our customers on features, advantages and benefits of available product lines and services.
• Understand and assess customer’s needs, business objectives, strategies and build compelling customer value propositions representing our portfolio.
• Creates partnerships with customers to proactively grow the category, share of wallet
• Drives efficient credit management
• Take ownership of queries and complaints to ensure resolution on behalf of the customer within agreed deadlines.

Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree with at least 3 – 5 years sales experience within the Contractor / Trade environment
• NACE 1 oe ICCOR is Beneficial 
• Capable of answering Objections by Removing Emotional Concerns
• Closes by Building Personal Trust and Loyalty
• Provides Service by Empathizing with Customer Concerns
• Makes One on One (Sales) Presentations
• Maximizes Results by Systematically Managing an Account Plan
• Experience with  Account Penetration by Customer Base Expansion, and New Business Development
• Extensive travel is required in the region

go to method of application »

Job Purpose
The primary purpose of this position is to provide telephonic and face to face onsite customer service by effectively managing customer complaints, on site quality audits, provide fit for purpose technical product training and support, onsite support on POS Tinting equipment & updating Mix2Win Next colour formulation.

• 45% Customer Complaint Investigation & Resolution
• 30% Trade Sales Support & TSD Administrator Support
• 25% Training Development & Administration

Key Accountabilities

Customer Complaint Investigation & Resolution 

• Drive customer satisfaction through active regional customer complaint management, using the departments procedures and standards as a measure to regularly review performance targets to continuously improve the execution of this objective.   
• Compliance to Complaint Compensation within Limits of Authority 
• Execution of labour compensation against 009 Procedure

Trade Sales and TSD Administration Support

• Full Spectrum Trade Guarantee – Executing Routine Quality Audit Reports, for projects assigned to you by the Dulux Specification Team against procedure requirements.
• Provide technical product knowledge/field support to the regional sales team (Retail, Trade, Specification) to drive first time right specifications, drive compliance during quality assurance and resolve technical queries in good time.

Training Development & Facilitation

• Training Material Development – Develop new training material in line with the Dulux Training Academy development plan
• Training Facilitation – Present Dulux Training Academy Prospectus training nationally online and Face to Face.

General

• Customer complaints - Achieve SLA’s by being effective in complaint’s management and resolution
• (DTA) Dulux Training Academy – strengthen consumer knowledge of Dulux brand.
• (DTS) Dulux Tinting Services – Point of Sales tinting complaint investigation and Mix2Win Next software support 
• Review – Monthly and weekly reporting Case Management (Customer Complaints & Dulux Training Academy.
• Management of time, travel cost and customer complaints compensation cost.
• On-site Quality Assurance in line with the Dulux Full Spectrum Guarantee procedure
• Sales and Marketing – Channel support on all technical product touch points. 
• Execute the Technical Services Department strategic plan on regional level.
• Compliance to ISO 9001:2015 quality/environmental management systems & corporate Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) management system.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with at least five years technical field service experience in the decorative coating industry.
• Supporting qualification: SAPMA, NACE and competency in training facilitation.
• Knowledge in MS Excel, MS Word and MS PowerPoint.
• Experience in the following software would be an added advantage:
• Point Of Sales Tinting E.g. Mix2Win Next
• Customer Relation Management Software E.g. CRM

Training Development.

• Generic Key Competencies: Adaptability, Tenacity, Confidence, Efficiency, Time Management, Relationship Building, Problem-Solving, Conflict Resolution, Contributing to Team Success.
• Job/Function Competencies: Patience, Attentiveness, Active Listening, Emotional intelligence, Creativity and resourcefulness, Customer Focus, Building Customer Loyalty, Self-Motivation, Active Information Monitoring, Effective Writing / Communication / Presentations skills, Ability to create a supportive and inclusive environment & Technical/Professional Knowledge skills.

go to method of application »

About this role

• We’re looking for a strong HR generalist with deep Employee & Industrial Relations expertise to partner closely with leaders and shape a positive, compliant and high-performing workplace. This role is at the center of operational HR delivery, supporting the business to achieve its objectives through trusted coaching, practical guidance, and hands-on leadership across ER/IR matters.
• You’ll work within the HR Operating Model (HRBP, People Services and Centres of Expertise) to deliver a seamless employee experience, drive engagement, and ensure consistent execution of HR processes, while also taking the lead in union engagement, consultations, disputes and statutory forums when required.

Responsibilities

HR Partnership & Employee Lifecycle Support

• Coach and support managers to deliver key annual people processes (Performance & Development, talent reviews, reward cycles, etc.).
• Facilitate Performance & Development and Talent calibration sessions.
• Lead operational workforce planning in partnership with relevant business teams.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to managers on recruitment, development, restructuring support (in line with approval processes), performance management and absence management.
• Support job evaluation and reward discussions in collaboration with the Regional Rewards CoE.
• Identify learning needs with leaders and coordinate delivery with regional CoE partners.
• Support local talent identification, succession planning and pipeline building.
• Drive engagement locally through communication and site initiatives; champion company values and leadership behaviours.

Employee & Industrial Relations (Core Focus)

• Lead and represent the company in labour relations matters, including collective bargaining and consultation forums.
• Build productive relationships with unions, works councils and key external stakeholders (e.g., Department of Labour, Bargaining Councils, CCMA and Labour Court where applicable).
• Ensure implementation and governance of ER policies, frameworks and collective agreements.
• Proactively reduce time lost through conflict by developing and implementing ER interventions (discipline, grievances, disputes, suspensions, etc.).
• Provide strategic ER guidance to HR leaders and line managers, ensuring fair, consistent and legally sound outcomes.
• Support transformation and change initiatives by managing ER impact and ensuring compliance with legislation and agreements.
• Track legislative and industry developments and embed relevant best practices into ER approaches.
• Design and implement workplace forums and initiatives that strengthen trust and collaboration between employees, management and organised labour.
• Build ER capability through training and coaching for line managers, HR operations teams and shop stewards.

Operational Excellence & HR Service Delivery

• Drive standardisation and continuous improvement across local HR delivery.
• Ensure global HR processes are implemented effectively in your area of responsibility.
• Guide employees and managers to the right HR channel (self-service, People Services, CoE).
• Take ownership for improving data quality and addressing inaccuracies with relevant teams.
• Act as a local “champion” for CoE offerings (e.g., reward, learning), supporting rollouts and adoption.
• Monitor service quality and provide feedback to strengthen HR delivery continuously.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with South African labour legislation and local HR policy requirements (engaging external legal support where needed).
• Promote awareness of the Speak Up process and participate in investigations when required.
• Support audits and internal compliance processes (e.g., “In Control”).
• Counsel managers/employees on ER procedures and support resolution of labour disputes.

Role Requirements
Qualifications & experience

• Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level 7) or equivalent.
• 5–7 years’ HR generalist experience, with ~70% focus on Industrial Relations.
• Proven experience in labour relations including mediation, arbitration and litigation exposure.
• Strong working knowledge of the South African legislative framework (labour and HR-related laws).
• Fluent English (written and spoken) and local language proficiency (where applicable).
• Willingness to travel when needed.

Key skills & behaviours

• Strong influencing, problem-solving and stakeholder management capability.
• Confident decision-making and courage to challenge constructively.
• High integrity, sound judgement and a balanced, pragmatic approach to conflict resolution.
• Customer- and solution-oriented mindset; able to operate effectively in ambiguity.
• Strong business acumen with a conceptual, analytical, results-driven approach.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work at all levels in a fast-paced environment.