Account Executive

Description

The Account Executive with a Chemistry or Polymer science background will be responsible for driving business growth by managing client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and providing technical solutions from the company’s product portfolio. This role combines in-depth applications knowledge with a focus on sales and business development, ensuring that clients receive both technical and commercial support. The successful candidate will excel in building relationships, negotiating deals, and understanding the technical needs of customers to provide tailored solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Sales and Business Development

• Develop and execute sales strategies to grow revenue within assigned markets, including but not limited to Thermosets, Coatings and Adhesives.
• Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities by engaging with prospects and expanding existing customer accounts.
• Prepare and present technical and commercial proposals to potential and current customers, aligning with their specific needs.
• Negotiate contracts and close deals that drive revenue growth, while maintaining profitability goals.

Account Management

• Manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts, ensuring that customer needs are met, and relationships are maintained over the long term.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, understanding their business goals and providing solutions from the company’s chemical product line.
• Conduct regular meetings with clients to discuss current projects, address concerns, and explore opportunities for growth.

Technical Expertise and Consultation

• Utilize a strong understanding of polymer chemistry and processing to provide customers with technical insights on product applications, performance, and benefits.
• Collaborate with customer R&D and production teams to understand their requirements and offer technically sound solutions.
• Provide technical sales support to ensure that clients understand the value of products in their specific applications.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal teams, including R&D, marketing, and production, to develop and deliver solutions tailored to customer requirements.
• Provide customer feedback to the internal teams to guide product development, problem solving and improvement.

Market Research and Strategy:

• Stay updated on industry trends, market developments, and competitive activity to ensure the company’s offerings remain competitive and aligned with market needs.
• Conduct technical and market analysis to identify potential areas for growth and contribute to strategic business planning.
• Attend industry trade shows, conferences, and customer meetings to showcase the company’s capabilities and establish new business contacts.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sales, with an additional 5-10 years in technical service, specifically within thermoset composites, coatings, adhesives, resins, and/or specialty chemicals.
• Experience in sales or business development with high- performance Epoxy systems is a plus.
• Track record of developing new business and meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Strong understanding of chemical products, formulations and their applications across various markets (Thermosets, Coatings and Adhesives).
• Demonstrated ability to sell technical products and provide high-level technical consultation to customers.
• Ability to understand customer requirements and translate them into technical and commercial solutions.
• Aggressive mindset towards developing new business opportunities from their initial discovery to obtaining the first purchase order.
• Must have the ability to challenge the status quo, think differently, and have the ability to build relationships with customers at all levels of the organization.
• Very fast-paced work environment. Able to quickly prioritize and reprioritize initiatives so that dynamic organizational and customer needs are met.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Skills and Competencies

• Sales-Driven: Ability to identify opportunities, close deals, and meet sales goals while maintaining strong client relationships.

• Negotiation Skills: Expertise in negotiating contracts and achieving mutually beneficial agreements.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of chemistry and the ability to translate complex technical information into customer-focused solutions.
• Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with clients.
• Communication and Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Ability to work closely with R&D, production, and marketing teams to ensure alignment on customer needs and product development.
• Adaptability: Capable of working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Problem Solving: Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to address customer challenges and provide effective solutions.

Work Environment

• This role is remote, offering the flexibility to work from home; however candidates must be located in the Central or Eastern US time zone.
• Travel is required to meet with customers, provide technical presentations, and attend industry conferences.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Physical Demands & Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job may require the following: walking primarily on a level surface periodically throughout the day; reaching above shoulder heights and below the waist as required to work on equipment or store materials throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques are required.

May require exposure to the manufacturing areas where under certain areas require the use of personal protective equipment such as fire-retardant clothing, respirator, safety glasses with side shields, goggles, hard hat, steel-toed boots and mandatory hearing protection.