Territory Manager

Location: Western Norway / Bergen

Reporting to: Country Field Sales Manager

Contract: 12 months

Salary: NOK 603,000 - 670,000

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health.

If you want to work for a company that lives by their values, then give your career a reason to smile and join our global team!

Why Work For Hill's Pet Nutrition:

• The learning & development opportunities: You will refine your commercial mind-set and continue to learn new skills working closely with a cross-functional team giving you exposure to all local market departments.

• The challenge & variety: You will operate in a fast paced operational environment, directly impacting the day-to-day performance of the business, with personal accountability for your business.

• The global experience: You will have the opportunity to work with global brands, participate in global strategies with potential to develop your career internationally.

• The Hill's Pet Nutrition Values: To help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets.

Job Purpose

The role will be responsible for a territory including approximately 100 customers in Western part of Norway. This includes responsibility for business development and sales of our categories: Prescription Diet, Science Plan, VetEssentials brands. This involves technical training and presentation of products to veterinarians, animal care providers and shop staff. You will also prepare commercial business development plans and programs for your customers. In addition, you will represent Hill's at various events such as congresses and exhibitions.

What you will do:

Clinic / Store Business Development

• Develop deep knowledge of the customers’ business and organization; build a network with key decision makers / key influencers in the vet practice and specialty pet store in the assigned territory

• Provide best in class professional support (detailing, in-clinic/store seminars, technical training, merchandising), reaching all key collaborators in specified practices and stores

• Find opportunities in the customer base and develop technical and business propositions that meet the requirements of both Hill’s and the customer, resulting in BRMO leadership and outstanding 6P execution in clinics and stores

• Implement commercial activities to ensure: Awareness, full distribution and active endorsement by the veterinary profession of Hill’s products and services in all core disease categories (clinic), Full distribution, excellent visibility and endorsement of Hill’s products by the store staff

• Rapid acceptance, endorsement and distribution of new products

• Establishment of shelf space and adequate inventory within each clinic/store.

• Establishment of merchandising and practice protocols to our company's standards.

• Increase recruitment of new users to our brands (e.g. active recommendations, trial programs)

• Develop and implement annual joint business/action plans for key veterinary clinics/specialty pet stores, which achieve both the needs of customers and Hill’s overall commercial objectives

• Schedule regular (quarterly) business reviews with the Decision Maker in key veterinary clinic/specialty pet stores to assess the results versus the agreed goals and adjust plans accordingly

Territory Management

• Achieve territory sales targets

• Plan and implement call value (coverage, frequency, efficiency) for the territory, based on account classification and required activities

• Timely call reports and record maintenance.

• Review potential of accounts within the territory (every year)

• Promptly identify new accounts and secure strong presence and endorsement for Hill’s brands

• Maintain accurate records in reporting system

• Leverage all Company available tools to drive execution.

Business & Financial Management

• Monitor achievement of territory objectives vs target & develops strategies to address changes in the business environment as appropriate

• Handle the assigned budget and ensure timely and accurate submission of payment requests and T&E expenses.

Product Knowledge

• Develop and maintain high standards of knowledge in small animal nutrition, Hill’s and competitors’ products through company training and self-study

Meetings & Conferences

• Represent Hill’s at meetings/conferences e.g. Trade shows, Local and National meetings, Client Meetings, Clinic/Store Special events

• Stay ahead of trends and of competitive activity in both the veterinary profession and pet retail environment.

Key Competencies & Qualifications

• Relevant training or experience as a veterinarian/nurse.

• Relevant marketing experience in customer and business development is a plus.

• Be results driven with excellent interpersonal skills.

• Confident, with a positive attitude and good cooperation skills.

• Planning/Priority Setting and Effective execution

• Relationship Building and collaboration

• Consumer/Customer centricity

• Influence / Negotiation

• Good digital understanding