Sales Representative - Chemicals

Sales Representative

Location: Houston, TX

Who We Are: Voted one of the Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. With top-of-the-line research and production facilities and a vast network of supplies from around the world, Kuraray leads the industry in specialty dental, fiber, resin, and elastomer products. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Kuraray has operations in 32 countries and employs more than 11,000 employees, including over 800 in the United States.

Position Summary: The Sales Representative will be responsible for driving sales of Specialty Chemicals across an assigned territory and customer base. This role focuses on achieving sales targets, developing new business opportunities, and strengthening customer relationships, while providing deep product and market expertise. The position requires frequent travel (50%+ across the US and Canada, and some Overseas travel) to engage customers, support business growth, and represent the company at trade shows, conferences, and industry events.

Responsibilities:

• Customer Relationship Development and Prospecting - Develop and execute a customer contact plan to promote product launches and expand market reach through targeted sales campaigns.
• Serve as the first point of contact for customer inquiries, providing timely resolutions or escalating issues when necessary.
• Customer Needs Clarification - Prepare clear objectives for each customer interaction.
• Deliver persuasive presentations using standard sales materials while asking probing questions to identify customer needs, with emphasis on fragrance, aroma, and homecare applications.
• Sales Opportunity Creation - Build and expand a professional network within the assigned sales territory across the US and Canada.
• Represent the company at trade shows, conferences, and industry forums to identify new opportunities, promote products, and enhance brand reputation.
• Selling Customer Propositions - Match customer needs with company products and solutions, recommending optimal configurations and quantities.
• Present value-based solutions and negotiate standard commercial terms, securing senior approvals for exceptions as needed.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Data - Document customer interactions and update CRM systems consistently.
• Develop structured call plans and follow-up strategies to drive business development and customer retention.
• Promoting Customer Focus - Collaborate with internal stakeholders to enhance customer satisfaction and build long-term partnerships.
• Share market feedback and customer insights to support innovation and improved service delivery.
• Operational Compliance - Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and industry regulations.
• Identify and report noncompliance concerns promptly, escalating as appropriate.
• Performance Management Track progress toward personal sales targets while contributing to overall team objectives.
• Actively participate in