Key Account Specialist

About the role

The Key Account Specialist – Louisville is responsible for full-plant level account management and execution across assigned Key Account facilities. This person serves as the primary field-based account owner for all assigned facilities, managing day-to-day relationships, technical support, service coordination, and execution of growth initiatives. Working in close partnership with our Key Account Manager, the Key Account Specialist executes national account strategies at the plant level while ensuring Applied Adhesives delivers superior responsiveness, technical value, and service consistency. This is a remote role; you must live in the Louisville, Kentucky area to be considered. Travel of 50%–75% is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Applied Adhesives contact for assigned Key Account facilities.
• Own day-to-day customer relationships with plant management, engineering, maintenance, and operations.
• Conduct regular onsite visits to understand applications, production needs, and operational challenges.
• Ensure consistent customer experience, responsiveness, and satisfaction at the facility level.
• Lead adhesive trials, line startups, conversions, and optimization initiatives.
• Diagnose bonding, application, or process issues and drive corrective actions.
• Optimize adhesive usage, application methods, and total cost performance.
• Coordinate internal technical resources and supplier support as needed.
• Identify and develop plant-level opportunities for new adhesives, technologies, and process improvements.
• Build and manage a facility-level opportunity pipeline.
• Partner with the Key Account Manager on pricing strategy, approvals, and expansion planning.
• Support expansion into new lines, applications, or facilities within assigned accounts.
• Monitor competitive activity and communicate insights to account leadership.
• Coordinate equipment installs, service calls, training, and technical support.
• Manage plant-level projects from planning through execution and follow-up.
• Partner with operations, supply chain, and service teams to resolve issues efficiently.
• Ensure commitments to the customer are executed accurately and on time.
• Execute national and strategic account plans at the plant level.
• Participate in joint customer visits, trials, and account reviews as required.
• Provide plant-level insights to support forecasting, planning, and QBRs.
• Maintain strong alignment with the Key Account Manager and Director of Sales – Key Accounts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3–7+ years of experience in adhesives, industrial sales, manufacturing, or application engineering required.
• Located in the Louisville, Kentucky area.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to travel up to 75% of the time.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Other Qualifications

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills required.
• Experience working in manufacturing or plant environments required.
• Strong technical aptitude and understanding required.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to customer facilities required.
• Experience with hot melt, water-based, pressure-sensitive, or reactive adhesives preferred.
• Packaging, food & beverage, converting, or assembly industry experience preferred.
• Familiarity with adhesive application equipment preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) match.
• Flexible and team-oriented work environment.
• Generous PTO policy.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee assistance program.
• Career and talent development opportunities as well as opportunities for personal growth.

Pay

The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $110,000 – $120,000 annually. This role is also eligible to participate in APPLIED’s Profit Contribution (PC) Bonus Plan, with an anticipated On-Target Earnings (OTE) range of $137,500–$150,000 annually. Actual compensation offered may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education, work location, and internal equity.

Schedule

This is a remote role; you must live in the Louisville, Kentucky area. Travel of 50%–75% is required.