Mid-West Regional Sales Account Manager

About Us

Silver Fern Chemical is a leading supplier, marketer, and distributor of bulk specialty industrial chemicals to a wide range of industries (B2B). Founded in 2004 by Sam and Lisa King, they’ve built a team of 20 employees who are passionate about providing personalized and tailored supply solutions for our customers.

With 9 strategic USA warehouse locations, our strength lies in stream-lining supply chains, providing alternative global sourcing options, and marketing innovative technologies to some of North America’s top manufacturers. While our headquarters are in Santa Barbara, CA, we also have team members located on the East Coast and other regions.

Job Summary

At Silver Fern Chemical we know the key to growth is a high-performing sales team. We’re seeking a highly motivated Sales Account Manager with knowledge of the chemical industry/raw materials, proven success in B2B sales, and a strong network in the CASE, HI&I, and Plastics markets to join our growing team. This is an individual contributor role (not a people-management position) that reports directly to the CEO, who takes a very hands-on approach to running the business.

The Sales Account Manager is responsible for driving new business growth with a primary focus on three core markets: CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers), HI&I (Household, Industrial & Institutional cleaning), and Plastics. These segments are a strategic priority for Silver Fern’s growth in the Midwest, which is home to a dense concentration of formulators, compounders, and manufacturers in each. The role will also pursue opportunities in adjacent segments such as Agricultural Chemicals, Specialty Chemical Manufacturing, Resins, Pulp and Paper, Personal Care, and Metalworking. This role owns sales strategies and new client acquisition within assigned product lines, while also developing additional revenue opportunities within existing accounts and bringing new product ideas to the table.

The ideal candidate is results-driven, entrepreneurial, and motivated by building lasting relationships with prospective clients, current customers, industry partners, and vendors. You think like a business owner: you spot opportunities, take initiative, and are energized by building something rather than simply maintaining it.

This role may be a great fit if you’re an experienced chemical sales professional looking for a change, perhaps after time at a large corporate or private equity-owned organization, and you want fewer layers of approval, a direct line to leadership, and the freedom to act on your ideas. At Silver Fern, good ideas get heard by the CEO and put into motion quickly.

Location

This role is a work from home role, based in the Midwest (IL, IN, MN, IA, OK etc) and will play a key part in driving growth and expanding Silver Fern Chemical’s presence across the region.

Role Objectives

• Build a strong B2B customer base across the CASE, HI&I, and Plastics markets, using comprehensive industry knowledge of the company’s products and services to establish trusted and ongoing business.
• Achieve sales results by creating selling strategies, targeting sales goals, and analyzing performance data.
• Develop trusted relationships by offering product and service expertise, and maintaining consistent communication with prospects and customers.
• Expand our market presence and provide strategic insights to company leadership on trends and market feedback, including formulation trends, regulatory shifts, and competitive activity in CASE, HI&I, and Plastics.
• Help shape and grow Silver Fern’s product portfolio by bringing forward new product ideas grounded in customer needs and market trends, especially within CASE, HI&I, and Plastics.

Responsibilities

• Manage sales opportunities through the full sales cycle (concept to closing) with our range of specialty chemical products.
• Implement sales development campaigns by performing targeted sales calls on coatings and adhesives formulators, HI&I cleaning product manufacturers, and plastics compounders and processors, interacting primarily with product end-users and technical/R&D personnel.
• Respond to inquiries and leads to provide technical support and documentation to prospects, ultimately converting them to customers.
• Use consultative selling skills and active listening to identify new product opportunities and engineer solutions for the customer.
• Proactively identify and pitch new products, product lines, and supplier partnerships to leadership, backed by customer demand and market insight.
• Document all sales activity in the CRM software (Salesforce) and use business insights to generate growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with product managers and chemical suppliers to develop creative and optimized customer solutions, such as resins, additives, surfactants, solvents, and plasticizers.
• Support with general marketing needs, including digital marketing efforts.
• Performs other assignments as directed.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Material Science, or related field preferred.
• Three or more years of sales/industry/product experience; experience in the chemical industry is strongly preferred.
• Direct experience selling into or working within the CASE, HI&I, or Plastics markets is strongly preferred, along with an established network of contacts in the Midwest.
• Preference will be given to applicants with experience in the chemical industry over years of sales experience.
• Strong desire to grow within the chemical sales industry.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of taking initiative, spotting opportunities, and bringing new ideas to market.
• Comfortable as a hands-on individual contributor who owns their territory and results end to end.
• Ability to work autonomously, or with a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence in approaching and collaborating with prospects and customers, with strong interpersonal skills.

Silver Fern Chemical is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classification.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Pay & Benefits

• Job Type: Salaried Exempt
• Base Pay: $85,000 - $100,000 annually + Quarterly Commissions
• Benefits: 100% Company Paid Healthcare via Anthem (Platinum Plan), Dental, & Vision for Employees
• Discounted benefit rates for dependents
• 401K match up to 6%
• Generous PTO allowance