Technical Sales Manager (Central USA)

Job Title: Technical Sales Manager (Central USA)

Salary: $65-110k+ (base, depending on experience), plus performance-based bonus + long-term share options + other competitive benefits

Location: Remote (Central US), with regular domestic travel and occasional international travel

Reports to: USA Business Lead/ Managing Director (based in UK)

About Anstar:

Founded in 2018, Anstar is a fast-growing specialty chemicals distributor connecting leading Asian manufacturers with customers across global markets. We have built a strong position in the European UV-curing market and continue to expand internationally. Our lean, agile structure is built around transparency, openness and a customer-first approach. Supported by a strong global supply chain, warehousing network and international teams, we provide high-quality chemical products efficiently and reliably.

Highlights:

• We are committed to sustainable business practices, including the supply of bio-sourced raw materials, aiming for long-term success while minimizing environmental impact
• Technical expertise is central to our approach. Our sales team has strong chemistry backgrounds, allowing us to provide holistic support throughout the sales process
• We embrace a 'Technology First' approach, utilizing cutting-edge software and automation to drive efficiency and scalable growth

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an ambitious, technically strong and commercially driven Technical Sales Manager to help build and scale Anstar's US business in UV-curing raw materials.

This is a customer-facing growth role combining new business development, technical sales and account management. You will identify and develop target accounts across inks, coatings, adhesives, 3D printing and related applications, understand customer formulation and curing requirements, coordinate product evaluations and trials and convert opportunities into recurring commercial business.

This role offers significant autonomy and visibility within Anstar. You will be one of the key commercial representatives of our growing US operation, while working closely with established technical, commercial and operational teams in the UK and internationally.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Proactively identify, qualify and pursue new opportunities with US ink, coating, adhesive, resin, 3D printing, , packaging and related specialty chemical customers
• Build and manage a focused pipeline of priority accounts, maintaining disciplined CRM activity, opportunity stages, visit reports, forecasts and account plans
• Lead customer meetings and translate formulation, curing, application and regulatory requirements into practical product recommendations, with internal and supplier technical support where required
• Coordinate samples, trial plans, quotations, technical questions, customer onboarding and follow-up activity through to commercial orders
• Develop and retain customer relationships, managing commercial discussions, pricing, forecasts and recurring business opportunities
• Represent Anstar at customer visits, industry events and selected trade shows, acting as a professional brand ambassador in the U.S. market
• Track market trends, competitor activity, pricing signals, application needs and product gaps, and feed actionable intelligence back to Anstar and partner suppliers
• Work effectively across time zones and cultures with UK, U.S., Chinese and wider international colleagues, customers and suppliers

Essential requirements for the role:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Coatings Science or a closely related discipline
• 3-9+ years of relevant technical sales, business development, application support or account-management experience in specialty chemicals, coatings, inks, adhesives, resins, additives or adjacent UV-curing markets
• Strong technical foundation and the ability to discuss formulations, applications and customer requirements credibly with R&D, technical service, procurement and commercial stakeholders
• Proven ability to prospect, open new accounts, manage a sales pipeline and follow opportunities through from initial contact to trial, order and repeat business
• Excellent professional English communication skills, with the confidence to build rapport with U.S. customers and adapt to technical and commercial audiences
• Able to work independently under remote management, with strong follow-through, attention to detail and comfort operating in a developing market structure
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across the U.S. for customer visits, supplier meetings, industry events and trade shows
• Confident user of standard business technology, Microsoft Office and CRM systems; open to using AI-enabled tools and able to discuss how technology can improve sales productivity
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States

Desirable Experience:

• Direct experience with Photoinitiators, UV/EB inks, coatings, adhesives, acrylate monomers, oligomers, UV resins or formulation work
• Existing relationships with U.S. ink, coating, adhesive, label, packaging, 3D printing or specialty chemical manufacturers
• Experience working with international suppliers, technical distributors, Eastern manufacturers or teams spread across multiple time zones
• Knowledge of TSCA, U.S. chemical compliance documentation, product stewardship requirements or customer qualification processes
• Exposure to CRM-driven sales processes, structured account planning, forecasting and territory development
• Ability to research target accounts, identify likely product needs and structure a clear outreach or visit plan

The interview process will consist of an initial phone call, followed by 2-3 interview rounds.

Equal Opportunity: Anstar is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Website:

HQ: Airedale House, 423 Kirkstall Rd, Leeds, LS4 2EW, UK

Founder & Managing Director: Dr Liangyu Hawkes

We look forward to welcoming talented individuals into our dynamic team.

The Anstar Team