Key Account Specialist

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 - Louisville 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 Louisville, Kentucky area 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

You Are Ideal for This Role If You:

• Value teamwork and recognize that the best results come from supporting and learning from one another.
• Focus on solutions, prioritize effectively, and go the extra mile when needed to achieve goals.
• Take ownership of your work and follow through on commitments you make.
• Embrace learning opportunities and use curiosity to solve problems and drive improvement.
• Are motivated by achieving results and creating exceptional experiences for customers.

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.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's degree required. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3-7+ years of experience in adhesives, industrial sales, manufacturing, or application engineering required.
• Located in the Louisville, Kentucky area.
• Valid driver's license. Must be able to travel up to 75% of the time.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Other Qualifications:

• 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:

Team-Oriented

We win together! We treat our teammates with respect.

Get Things Done

We focus on results, not excuses. We consistently go above and beyond.

Accountable

When we make a commitment, we keep it. Trust is earned.

Curious

Curiosity is the spark for a solution. We are growth-minded and eager to learn.

Driven to Win

A highly satisfied customer is our ultimate win. Profitable growth = winning.

Interview Expectations:

To ensure a fair and consistent hiring process, AI-generated or AI-assisted interview responses are not permitted. Candidates who use AI tools during interviews will not be considered for employment.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation :

Compensation for roles at APPLIED varies based on a wide variety of factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education, work location, and internal equity. As required by applicable law, APPLIED provides a reasonable compensation range for positions that may be filled in multiple locations.

The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $110,000 - 120,000 annually. This role is also eligible to participate in APPLIED's Profit Contribution (PC) Bonus Plan, with an anticipated On-Target Earnings (OTE) range of $137,500-150,000 annually.

This range represents a good-faith estimate of the compensation expected for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation offered may vary based on the factors noted above. In addition, we are invested in every employee's total well-being and offer a substantial and comprehensive total rewards package.

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.