Now Hiring - Kao Corporation - Sales Development Manager in High Point, NC

Full description of the position

Kao Specialties Americas LLC (KSA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kao Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. 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.

The Sales Development Manager will assist in sourcing and screening potential Performance Chemical customers who can benefit from our products and services. As the first line of communication with prospects, the ideal candidate must have experience in selling specialty chemicals with a strong understanding of the sales process, excelling at researching leads and starting new relationships, promoting technical solutions, closing the sale, and then maintaining customer account responsibilities. The individual 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.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage the sales development process from conception to commercialization.
• Utilize market research, cold calling, email, and social media to generate new sales opportunities.
• Work closely with new and existing customers to determine their needs/requirements and make recommendations for various solutions KSA can offer their business.
• Maintain sales account responsibility with existing customers while building value-oriented relationships with new customers at all levels of their organization, uncover key business drivers and their challenges for success.
• Develop and execute appropriate sales strategies based on customer and technical requirements.
• Collect and provide market analysis to guide and support sales / R&D directions.
• Expand sales in assigned market segments.
• Create call reports for effective communication within KSA as well as financial and technical documents for customer proposals.
• Interface collaboratively with KSA research group, operations, scheduling, and customer service for total customer satisfaction.
• Prepare short-term/mid-term sales forecast including new business potential.
• Develop with Business Manager short-term and mid-term business plan/budget.
• Be team-oriented and able to adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Overnight travel approximately 30% - 50%

Candidates for this position must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• Position requires 10 years prior work experience in technical sales/marketing in specialty chemicals with direct customer account responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience in business development in a variety of chemical domains such as surfactants, adhesives/sealants (CASE), lubricants, silicone surfactants.

• Demonstrated expertise stewarding new products from bench through customer technical trials to full commercialization.
• Ability 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.
• Experience with surfactant and ester chemistries across multiple market segments preferred.
• Formulation experience preferred.

KSA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to include medical, dental, life insurance, and savings plan.

[please apply online] KSA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Yearly bonus

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Technical sales in specialty chemicals: 10 years (Required)

Work Location:

• Fully Remote

Work Location: Remote