Material Science Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Account Managers are responsible for managing the overall sales efforts in their assigned territory to maximize sales and profit. They must utilize frequent face-to-face and/or telephone contact in a consultative sales approach to ensure the satisfaction of customer needs. They must identify selling opportunities and assertively act upon the opportunities that offer maximum potential and/or gross profit - both with existing customers through cross- and range-selling as well as with new leads. They must uphold Brenntag's core values and focus on customer excellence in all regards every day.

Customer Business Development for assigned territory (65%)

• Meet sales objectives and focus on customer retention as well as improving overall customer satisfaction (also through digital channels).

• Identify customer potentials, i.e., opportunities for cross- and range-selling to existing customers and engage relevant stakeholders (e.g., Brenntag Essentials sales staff).

• Set strategies and targets for growth of customers in assigned territory (sales plan); align with Sales Manager.

• Frequently conduct customer visits and prepare the meetings using all available tools and reports, coordinate, negotiate and close proposals.

• Manage spot business/ rush offers, get support from Commercial Assistant when necessary.

• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to create in a timely manner the best solution for the customer and extract maximum value (e.g., Sales Management, Industry Marketing Management, Application Development).

• Act as major point of contact to customers in assigned territory in all commercial matters.

• Conduct market studies on potential new product opportunities by contacting customers to gather interest and test market demand.

• Leverage Brenntag Connect to generate and maximize sales.

New customer generation (10%)

• Spot opportunities for launching sales projects in cooperation with other departments like Industry Marketing Management, Application Development and suppliers.

• Identify and prioritize prospective customers.

• Get in contact with prospects and involve relevant stakeholders to nurture leads down the pipeline.

• Liaise with Brenntag Essentials sales staff on customers with new Brenntag Specialties business opportunities.

Sales & General Admin (15%)

• Set and maximize prices considering value-based pricing and customer segmentation within guidelines provided by Product Management/ Industry Marketing Management.

• Ensure appropriate data administration and documentation of all business cases in the local CRM system (e.g., post processing of visits, creation of customer projects).

• Update and maintain customer opportunity pipelines and potentials in the CRM system

• Complete sales and revenue-related reporting.

• Drive commercial and functional excellence based on guidance/ input from Commercial Excellence Function.

• Provide regular forecasts of product demand from customers to Industry Marketing Management to optimize projected demand requirements.

Know-How Management (10%)

• Maintain an up-to-date level of product, technical, and application knowledge, e.g., via training.

• Keep up to date with changes and updates in the product/solution portfolio and in the market.

• Keep up to date

Skills

• Sound computer skills in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and CRM systems

• Superior communication and negotiation skills

• Strong commercial understanding

• High self-management capabilities

• Customer-centric mindset, focusing on creating a positive experience for the customer

• Basic level of strategic thinking (business development, opportunities)

• Frequent travel required as per business needs

• Valid driver's license with clean driving record

Education & Experience

• Preferably Post-Secondary Education with a focus in Business, Science or equivalent.

• Experience in the chemical distribution business, preferably in a sales capacity (3 to 5 years previous experience in sales role).

• Product, technical and market knowledge of respective Industry/ Application.

• We aim to create an environment where the best people want to work, where they can turn their passion into their job and realize their full potential.

• Individual development, on-the-job training, and development programs designed to help our employees grow in their careers.

• Paid parental leave

• Education assistance program

• Employee assistance program

• Various healthcare plan options as well as 401(k)

Brenntag and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to any category protected by federal, state or local law, including as applicable, applicant's actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical condition), genetic information, military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable federal, state or local law, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, parental status, expunged juvenile record, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Brenntag will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a test or job interview) if so requested. When completing this application, you may exclude information that would disclose or otherwise reference your race, religion, age, sex, genetic, veteran status, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. This application is considered current for sixty (60) days only. At the end of this period, if you are still interested in employment, it will be necessary for you to reapply by completing a new application.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at accommodations@brenntag.com (phone, tty, fax, email, etc.).

Brenntag North America, Inc. and its subsidiaries use E-Verify, a government-run, web-based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. For more information, please go to https://www.e-verify.gov/employees or view the poster at https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster.pdf.