This is a premier opportunity for an entry level sales professional with an engineering or chemical background to gain the training necessary to become an account manager in a dynamic and fast paced market. The Technical Account Manager role will be an entry level position that will receive training in polymer science, polymer manufacturing & testing, injection molding, the automotive market, injection molded parts and business practices such as account management, negotiating, leadership, strategic planning and communication skills. This position will spend the first 12-24 months of employment in training based in Lansing, Michigan participating in a rotational development program with exposure to various key aspects to the business. Long term this position will be responsible for the technical account management and the sales results for a territory located in the USA and based in a home office in southern/mid Michigan or northern Ohio.

After the training period the Technical Account Manager will be assigned direct accounts that you will have the sales responsibility to meet the associated business objectives. The critical elements to achieve these results are 1) leading the preparation and implementation of sales plans and programs that support achieving strategic business unit goals 2) developing contracts, profit analysis, and pricing strategy in conjunction with business management for assigned accounts, 3) developing strong personal relationships with key customers in support of objectives, 4) leading cross functional teams to deliver the planned results, 5) communicate customer needs throughout the organization, and 6) plan and carries out direct sales activities to agreed budgets, sales volumes, values, product mix, and timescales. This position is accountable to the USA & Canadian Sales Manager.

The primary responsibilities and accountabilities of a Technical Account Manager Professional:

• Comply with all requirements of our policies related to business ethics and conduct as well as safety.
• Attend product, application and manufacturing training. (to include online courses, field training, peer training, assuming roles and responsibilities in the product development group for a period, the ability to work in a manufacturing and laboratory setting).
• Attend automotive market training (to include online courses, training with experienced Marketing Manager, participating in the development of market literature and presentations).
• Attend common business practice training (to include online courses, shadowing a Senior Account Manager, Manager training)
• Work with experienced Account managers to develop sales skills through job shadowing and real-life examples.
• Act a launch coordinator for new business to learn the business from concept, through development, launch and into the commercialization phase.
• Demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in adapting to their expectations and the challenges customers present you.
• Call on customers in the USA by arranging and attending in person meetings with all functional areas of our customers (purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, etc.). Develop strong customer relationships with key individuals and decision makers.
• Prepare near and medium (1-3 yrs.) range Equistar sales forecasts in accordance with Divisional and Corporate objectives.
• Develop and implement strategies, tactics and action steps at the customer level which are focused toward the achievement of Business Unit sales objectives.
• Ensure the development and administration of key account sales plans (objectives, strategies, tactics, time lines, action steps and entertainment).
• Lead the negotiation of sales proposals and develop contracts and make recommendations to sales management and the business group.
• Ensure the maintenance of current in-depth knowledge of markets, customers, prospects and competitors.
• Maintain a program to assure resolution of customer problems and/or complaints involving products or service to meet or exceed company objectives.
• Maintain customer price letters, invoice pricing and monthly forecast. Resolve pricing discrepancies with customers.
• Ensure proper readiness for customer program launches by coordinating cross functional internal and external support.

Skills and Attributes

• Mobility – ability to travel is essential.
• Outside sales – Ability to work away from home for up to 5 days at a time
• Customer interaction – organize and set up meetings, lunches and dinners with all levels of customer personnel
• Excellent phone presentation – Ability to work independently closing new leads and working on follow up leads
• Consistency – Ability to sustain a high level of energy and performance
• Assertiveness – Demonstrating an appropriate level of aggressiveness when intercepting prospects and asking for the sale
• Professionalism – Ability to present oneself in an appropriate manner while representing the company
• Approachability – Ability to quickly build rapport with prospects and hold their attention throughout the interaction.
• Consultative Style – Ability to build trust and establish credibility through the use of questions that relate specifically to the individual prospect
• Quality Selling – Ability to follow established policy and procedure when selling the product
• Closing the Sale – Ability to obtain sales levels established by the program needs and by the performance of your peers.

Job Requirements

• Must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a technical curriculum, such as Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymers Engineering, Chemistry.
• Applicant must be willing to work out of the Lansing, Michigan office for up to 2 years, after work out of a home office in Southern Michigan or Northern Ohio.
• Successful candidates will have the intellectual-horsepower to learn; proven leadership skills; excellent communication skills; strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced skills in Outlook, Power Point, Excel and Word; mathematical aptitude and aptitude to learn internal software and manage core functions efficiently.  
• The individual should have a strong desire beyond the technical components of the job to learn the sales aspect of the job such as developing new business, price negotiations, presenting internally and to customers, setting and meeting sales objectives, strategic planning, cost analysis, solving customers problems and managing relationships.
• The job requires a person that is interesting in learning about the polymer industry and manufacturing, automotive manufacture of plastic components, and the commercial aspects of supplying and selling polymer material.

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the world’s largest plastics, chemical  and refining companies and a member of the S&P 500. LyondellBasell (www.lyondellbasell.com) manufactures products at 55 sites in 17 countries.  LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve  the quality of life for people around the world including; packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels.

Must be at least 18 years of age and must be legally authorized to work in the United States (US) on a permanent basis without visa sponsorship.

LyondellBasell does not accept or retain unsolicited résumés or phone calls and/or respond to them or to any third party representing job seekers.

LyondellBasell is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. The US EEO is the Law poster is available here.