Key Account Specialist, West

About the role

The Key Account Specialist, West 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.

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.
• Capture and develop plant level opportunities for new adhesives, technologies, and process improvements.
• Partner with the Key Account Manager on pricing strategy, approvals, and expansion planning.
• 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.
• Partners 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.

Requirements

• A strong plant level relationship builder.
• Tech-savvy, hands-on mindset.
• Organized, execution-focused account manager.
• Commercially aware and disciplined.
• Highly responsive and customer focused.
• Comfortable operating independently with clear strategic alignment.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3–7+ years of experience in adhesives, industrial sales, manufacturing, or application engineering required.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish highly preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills required.
• Experience working in manufacturing or plant environments required.
• Must have strong technical aptitude and understanding.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to customer facilities.
• 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
• 401k 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