Customer Success & Inside Sales Specialist f/m

REQUIREMENTS

Cologne, Germany Working arrangement: 100% on-site, no remote work Contract: Permanent, Full-Time Languages:

• German: C2 or native level – Mandatory
• French: minimum B2 level – required
• English: minimum B2 level is a plus ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY Our client is a French company with international operations, specializing in chemical safety and decontamination. Its German subsidiary, based in Cologne, supports around 3,500 B2B customers with a local team of approximately 15 employees. This is an office-based B2B customer relationship and commercial position. You will manage a large portfolio of German companies, mainly through phone-based interactions. A significant part of the role involves anticipating and managing product renewals and replacements. The company’s approach is consultative: understand first, recommend second. It is based on active listening and in-depth questioning, rather than price negotiation. Within two to three years, the role is expected to evolve towards broader commercial responsibilities, with the opportunity to progress to a Head of Sales position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Relationships and Renewals Proactively manage an established portfolio of German B2B customers. Develop long-term relationships through regular phone-based contact. Ensure customer satisfaction and provide reliable follow-up. Monitor product expiration dates. Anticipate and coordinate product renewals and replacements.

Work closely with trainers, external sales representatives and internal teams. Support the organization of customer events. Needs Analysis and Account Development Practise active listening to understand each customer’s situation. Ask detailed and relevant questions to identify customer needs and risks. Recommend the most appropriate products and services.

Explain their technical value and benefits clearly. Identify relevant opportunities for additional products and services. Prepare quotations and follow up on customer needs. CRM and Commercial Performance Maintain accurate customer information in the CRM and databases. Monitor customer activity, renewals and portfolio performance.

Analyse defined KPIs and take appropriate follow-up actions. Provide regular commercial reporting. Profil PROFILE Experience and Technical Skills At least three years’ experience in a telephone-based customer-facing role. Experience in Customer Success, Account Management, customer service or a service-oriented call centre.

Consultative B2B sales experience is an advantage Experience managing customer relationships, renewals or a large portfolio is highly valued. Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Chemistry, Physics or another scientific field. Experience in a chemical, pharmaceutical, medical device, industrial or technical environment is preferred.

Languages: German at C2 or native level is mandatory, French at B2 level is required, English at B2 level is an advantage. Good command of Excel, CRM systems, customer databases and KPIs. Personal Qualities Excellent active listening and questioning skills. Strong customer and service orientation. Ability to understand before recommending a solution.

Clear and credible communication. Curiosity and willingness to develop technical expertise. Structured, proactive and attentive to detail. Comfortable following processes and managing a large customer portfolio. Able to collaborate effectively with technical and commercial teams. Motivated to build a long-term career in Cologne and progress towards a leadership role.

Informations contractuelles WHAT WE OFFER Fixed salary of €45,000 to €55,000, depending on experience. Annual profit-sharing scheme, historically equivalent to approximately one to one and a half months’ salary. Salary review after the first successful year. Health coverage. Comprehensive product and sales training. A structured career path towards a management position.

Long-term development within a stable and growing international company.