Sales Manager, Personal Care and HI&I

About the job

Kao Specialties Americas LLC (KSA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kao Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Kao KSA is a specialty chemical manufacturing company with three major business segments (1) Oleo Chemicals, (2) Performance Chemicals and (3) Specialty Chemicals including Imaging Materials and Aroma Chemicals. We know that the key to growth is in a high-performing sales team. That’s why we’re seeking a qualified Sales Manager to drive revenue by selling to the personal care and HI&I chemical markets. As the first line of communication with prospects, and ideal candidate must have experience in specialty chemicals, a strong understanding of the sales process, excelling at researching leads, starting new relationships, and setting our sales closers up for success. You should be a quick learner with strong communication skills and can showcase our products while providing solutions for our customers. Every potential customer is an opportunity to market quality products while always embracing the corporate culture of Yoki-Monozukuri.

Core Responsibilities

The Sales Manager position will perform the following duties:

• Direct and control the execution of approved sales and marketing strategies specifically tailored for the U.S. market, leveraging KSA and collaborators' assets to produce and supply products within the business domain in the United States.
• Manage and maintain a pipeline of interested prospects, including new and existing customers, to understand their needs/requirements to develop tailored products and value-added services.
• Keep current with economic indicators, changing trends, supply and demand, and competitors to maintain sales volume and product mix.
• Gather and maintain technical and professional knowledge by reviewing professional publications, participating in trade shows, and establishing personal networks that would assist KSA and the Kao Group in developing a strategy in the U.S. market.
• Assist in the development and execution of an overall rolling 3-year business plan, identify new business opportunities and support the strategy for the business unit(s).
• Develops input into the annual sales and fixed expense budgets for P&L targets by analyzing trends and results, and serves as the primary control point throughout the year.
• Collaborate with other departments to enhance products and value-added services.
• Maintain effective communication (oral and written) within KSA and the Kao Group to secure the required support in achieving sales objectives and to provide important market information on assigned industries, customers, and competitive activities.
• Overnight travel approximately 30% - 50%

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities

• Utilize market research, cold calling, and email to generate new sales opportunities
• Identify prospect's needs and suggest appropriate products/services
• Build long-term trusting relationships with prospects to qualify leads as sales opportunities
• Proactively seek new business opportunities in the market
• Set up meetings or calls between (prospective) customers and sales executives
• Create call reports for effective communication within KSA as well as financial and technical documents for customer proposals
• Develop with Business Manager short-term and mid-term business plan / budget
• Interface collaboratively with KSA research group, operations, scheduling, and customer service for total customer satisfaction
• Be team oriented and able to adapt to a fast-paced environment

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and broad multi-functional technical/sales background
• Five (5) years or more experience in sales and/or product development in order to interface with the industry in terms of products/ applications.
• ·Demonstrated expertise stewarding new products from bench through customer technical trials to full commercialization
• Able to function independently to advance the sales process from beginning to end and show resilience when faced with obstacles
• Strong technical, analytical, and account leadership skills and familiarity with marketing, sales, and business development concepts
• Established network of contacts in specialty chemical markets
• Proven creative problem-solving approach and strong analytical skills

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Health Insurance
• Flexible spending account (health & dependent)
• Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee product discount
• Company Paid & Supplemental Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Voluntary benefits

KSA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes medical, dental, life insurance, savings plan, and paid time off.

Kao Specialties Americas LLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

http://chemical.kao.com/us/

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $91,300.00 - $151,200.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What types of chemicals have you sold? (e.g., specialty, industrial, raw materials, commodities)
• What have been your target sales markets?
• Please list the types of customers you currently maintain active business relationships with.
• Describe a situation where you worked with R&D or formulation teams to solve a technical customer challenge, if you have an experience.
• Have you worked for or closely collaborated with Japanese or other international companies? Please describe your experience.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Sales & Marketing: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person