Associate Sales Representative

About the Company

Toray Plastics (America), Inc. is a films and chemical manufacturer and a $450 million subsidiary of the Japan-based Toray Group. Toray manufactures synthetic fibers, carbon fibers, plastics, and chemicals, employing over 45,000 people in 26 countries with annual sales exceeding US$21 billion. TPA’s films and foams divisions are global leaders, providing innovative products for consumer and industrial applications. The company is committed to environmental, social, and corporate governance.

About the Role

This entry-level sales position focuses on learning Toray’s product portfolio, manufacturing capabilities, target markets, and competitive advantages to effectively communicate product features, benefits, and value propositions. The role combines customer-facing sales activities with administrative responsibilities supporting the PEF Sales department and developing new business opportunities. Based in Front Royal, VA, this position requires 25-50% travel depending on customer and business needs.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain formal training in technical sales, sales administration, and business development, with mentoring from experienced sales professionals and practical experience supporting customer accounts, new product development, and departmental sales operations. Advancement opportunities include roles such as Territory Sales Manager, Key Account Manager, and Business Development Manager.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day sales and marketing operations within assigned area or product line(s).
• Meet or exceed assigned sales targets by providing customer service to existing customers and developing new markets for existing and new products in industrial, packaging, flooring, automotive distribution, and other markets.
• Develop technical product knowledge and work with customers to create solutions that expand product use and strengthen business relationships.
• Maintain professional relationships with customers, offering technical advice and assistance as required.
• Monitor sales trends, advising management of opportunities and challenges, and recommending sales strategies to enhance market share.
• Collaborate with product development, marketing, engineering, technical service, manufacturing, quality, and customer service teams to resolve customer issues and strengthen relationships.
• Assist with preparation of quotations, commercial proposals, product samples, technical presentations, sales reports, meeting summaries, pipeline updates, and forecasts.
• Support departmental forecasting, budgeting, expense tracking, invoice review, travel arrangements, expense reports, and trade-show administration.
• Provide back-up administrative and customer support within the Sales department as needed.
• Monitor competitors’ activities, product introductions, and pricing strategies, addressing concerns with internal departments.
• Assist at trade shows, coordinate customer visits, and participate in similar events.
• Maintain accurate and timely customer contact, account, activity, and opportunity information in Salesforce and other company systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Business, Marketing, or a related technical or business discipline.
• 0-2 years of experience, with approximately one year of sales, business development, customer service, administrative support, internship, or other relevant professional experience preferred.
• Prior experience with manufacturing, industrial products, packaging, automotive products, or sales administration highly preferred.
• Ability to travel 25-50% of the time; on-site work at the PEF Division in Front Royal, VA, is required when not traveling.

Skills

• Technical knowledge and demonstrated sales skills in the plastics/chemical arena preferred.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to close sales and handle difficult customer relations situations.
• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with CRM software, particularly Salesforce, is preferred.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain professional business relationships and communicate effectively with customers and internal teams.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Benefits

• Competitive wages.
• Comprehensive benefits package effective on the 1st of the month following hire (Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance).
• 401k with a 4% match on the first 8% of individual contributions.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Shift pay differential.
• Overtime pay (time and a half and double time).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• $1,200 Employee Referral Bonus Program for both the employee and their referral.
• Advancement opportunities.

Pay

$67,809 - $72,000 (depending on experience).