Key Account Specialist, Upper Midwest

About APPLIED Adhesives: We have you covered. Nobody knows more about adhesives than APPLIED Adhesives. We are passionate about solving complex challenges with innovative adhesive products and offerings. APPLIED is the industry leader in helping manage costs, reduce waste, and make entire operations run more efficiently. From adhesives, equipment, parts, and service, we have you covered. With world-class adhesive products, equipment, and parts along with visionary leadership, unparalleled expertise, and an agile, responsive service team, we’re not happy simply staying put. Every day, we leverage our technical expertise and passion for problem solving for the benefit of our customers and the future of our company . We have countless victories that we could celebrate, but we’re more interested in looking forward than back. We’ve collected the talent and skills to continue innovating new product solutions and applications in emerging industries. We have the fortitude to not only accept challenges, but to seek them out. And we have the confidence and determination to become the most sought-after adhesive solutions partner. Come join us! The Role: The Key Account Specialist, Upper Midwest 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, but you must live in Wisconsin, Illinois, or Indiana to be considered for this role. 50% - 75% travel is required. Key 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. You Are Ideal for This Role If You Are: A strong plant level relationship builder. Technically curious, hands-on mindset. Organized, execution focused account manager. Commercially aware and disciplined. Highly responsive and customer focused. Comfortable operating independently with clear strategic alignment. Physical Requirements: Must be able to remain in a stationary position. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery. Able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Experience and Qualifications: Associate's degree required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. 3–7+ years of experience in adhesives, industrial sales, manufacturing, or application engineering required. Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills required. Experience working in manufacturing or plant environments required. Must have strong technical aptitude and understanding. Must have 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. Why Work for Us: 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 Leading with Integrity, Collaboration, and Passion In today’s dynamic business landscape, these core values serve as the compass guiding our actions and decisions. Whether it’s demonstrating leadership, fostering collaboration, igniting passion, upholding integrity, or maintaining a relentless customer focus, these principles shape our mission, vison and values, and drive our commitment to excellence. Our Core Values: Leadership We are the leaders we wish to follow at work and in our communities. Collaborative One team delivering exceptional value and service. Passion We enthusiastically pursue excellence. Integrity We choose to be ethical and trustworthy. Relentless Customer Focus Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Typical work is in a climate-controlled environment requiring regular use of computer and electronic equipment. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.