DOLDER UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE ADDED VALUE

At Dolder Group, a Sales & Product Manager’s goal is to add value to the producers of the raw material, the clients as well as Dolder Group itself through good consulting, in-depth technical as well as product specific knowledge, a fully developed value-chain network and an economic frame of mind. Thus, the main tasks are:

• Cultivating a comprehensive value-chain network with longtime, sustainable and transparent business relationships to clients, suppliers and agencies/agents.
• Improving continuously one’s own knowledge about current and future specialty products and their applications as well as general economics and sales and negotiation techniques.
• Advising and supporting clients in developing new and optimizing existing applications.
• Supporting clients with knowhow and technical support on-site.
• Working proactively on extending the product portfolio
• Taking the lead for marketing activities (fairs, client workshops etc.).
• Undertaking tasks for the teams, for the business unit and/or the company.
• Helping actively to build a good team and company culture.

That is the theory. And while this is what we put in our ads and job descriptions, it does naturally not paint a complete picture of what it means to work as a sales manager in the Dolder Group. In order to give you some more insights, we asked our colleagues to tell you a little more about their work. 

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT WORKING AS A SALES & PRODUCT MANAGER AT DOLDER?

One thing that is actually the same for all Dolder employees and not specific to this function is our team and the Dolder Spirit. As one colleague stated: 

“There are so many special things, colleagues, the spirit that unites us, the willingness to always be present for each other, the feeling of being a group, the enthusiasm with which we accept new challenges, the respect with which we treat each other.” 

The second thing that is special is the scope of the task: “You are multitask managing everything from the beginning to the end of a project. Prospecting, launching new products, marketing… not only being a pure sales manager.” That is not only interesting and gives you broad responsibility, this also “gives you a very close customer relationship.” In addition, you are responsible for “high quality products in the portfolio which are well known by the customers.” In summary, “You have a lot of responsibility, but on the other hand a lot of freedom of action.”

WHICH TASKS DO YOU LIKE BEST?

O.k., we are talking about sales managers, so it is not surprising that the customer contact is mentioned frequently as an answer to this question: “Customer visits, customer contact also via MS Tteams, organization of fairs and seminars, and supplier support”.  But at Dolder, we aim for a special kind of relationship with our suppliers and customers – we want long-term relationships based on fairness, reliability and transparency. Which explains statements like this: 

“I like having direct contacts with customers, building trusting and long-lasting relationships, carrying out complicated negotiations and closing sales.” 

Apart from this, it is tasks like “promoting products that can make a difference thanks to their characteristics” or “having new products and technologies to launch so that the job does not become a routine one” that our colleagues like best. All in all, you could say, our colleagues’ favorite tasks are “finding solutions and meeting people.”

WHAT SHOULD SOMEBODY KNOW IF THEY CONSIDER WORKING AS A SALES & PRODUCT MANAGER AT DOLDER?

First, what you can expect to find here: A good working culture. One of the colleagues who joined us recently, stated: 

“You will find a company, that seems unreal. The colleagues are nice. You can expect help at any time, the company is financially solid. Communication with superiors is at eye level, everyone sticks together and is focused on one goal.” 

This is not a lone voice. Someone else said that: “Choosing Dolder means being aware that there are values such as honesty, loyalty, transparency that are part of us and that we are proud to show them. These values must already be present in us and being part of the group only increases their significance.” What you should also know is that it will be helpful if you “have skills in areas outside your education for being multitask”. Because “being a sales manager does not mean to be focused only on sales.” Thus, you should also “be creative, find solutions”. And, in the end, you “will have a lot of responsibility, but also a lot of freedom in pricing, etc. You will virtually be an entrepreneur within the company.”

WHEN WE HIRE A NEW SALES & PRODUCT MANAGER: WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS THEY NEED TO FULFILL?

The item mentioned most often is team spirit. Apart from that, it was said that 

“I think the most important requirement is curiosity. A curious person is always ready to get involved, to learn new things, to propose solutions or initiatives, to move forward despite the difficulties.” 

This goes hand in hand with being “open for new things, flexible.” A third important point is sales skills. This means that you can “fascinate customers, are willing to travel, have a handshake mentality”. Moreover, you are, “sympathic, communicative”, “proactive and motivated” as well as “honest, open”. And finally, product knowledge is naturally a big plus. Depending on the team (Plastics, Speciality Chemicals, or Filtration & Purification), the kind and depth of the necessary product or professional knowledge is different.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? CONTACT US

If this is a profile that is in tune with your experiences and your goals, please contact us. We are looking forward to hearing about your plans.