Vice-President for Market Expansion in Central America
Company Description
AkzoNobel Vehicle Refinish delivers high-quality paint finishes and coating solutions to the collision repair industry, fleet and heavy truck manufacturing and repair sectors, and the sign manufacturing industry. The business serves a broad range of customers, from independent body shops to large commercial fleets, with products designed for performance, durability, and visual impact. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as Sikkens, Lesonal, Modern Classikk, Valorem, Dynacoat, Imperium, Wanda, Sikkens Autocoat BT, U-TECH, and Grip-Gard. As part of AkzoNobel, the Vehicle Refinish business combines global expertise with local market support, creating opportunities for professionals who want to drive growth and innovation in specialized coatings markets. Role Description The Vice-President for Market Expansion in Central America is a full-time, remote leadership role focused on driving growth and market penetration for AkzoNobel Refinish across the Central American region. This position oversees regional sales strategy, identifies new market opportunities, and builds strong relationships with distributors, key accounts, and strategic partners. The role includes evaluating market trends, defining pricing and trading strategies, and collaborating with finance teams to create sustainable, profitable growth plans. Day-to-day responsibilities involve managing cross-functional projects, guiding local teams or partners, setting performance targets, and ensuring alignment with global brand positioning and compliance standards. The Vice-President also prepares regular business reviews, forecasts, and reports, and represents the company in high-level customer meetings and industry events within the region.
Qualifications
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret market data, customer insights, and performance metrics to inform strategic decisions. Experience in finance and commercial planning, with the ability to manage budgets, evaluate profitability, and support pricing and trading decisions. Proven track record in sales leadership and trading activities, ideally within coatings, automotive refinish, or related industrial sectors. Demonstrated project management capabilities, including planning, execution, and stakeholder coordination across multiple countries or regions. Extensive experience in market expansion or business development in Latin America or Central America, with strong knowledge of regional business practices. Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with proficiency in English; fluency in Spanish is highly beneficial. Ability to work effectively in a remote setting, travel within the region as needed, and collaborate across multicultural and cross-functional teams. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or a related field; an advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) is an advantage. Demonstrated commitment to ethical business practices, inclusion, and safety in line with AkzoNobel’s values.