Account Manager (Minnesota)

Essential Fine Ingredients Inc.; Minnesota; On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Essential Ingredients Inc. is a global chemical distributor with an ESOP-friendly culture that emphasizes service, innovation, and growth.

Based in Minnesota, the Account Manager will drive sales across Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, developing business with current accounts and new customers using a relationships-first approach and deep market knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering preferred.
• 5+ years sales experience in a technical selling environment.
• Strong track record of sales growth and account management.
• Relationship-first sales approach and customer-focused mindset.
• Willingness to travel regularly (day travel with some overnights).

Responsibilities

• Territory Growth – grow current and new business in MN, IA, WI through relationships and service excellence.
• Pipeline Development – build a healthy pipeline and provide technical solutions for personal care chemistry needs.
• Market Intelligence – monitor customer needs, market trends, and regulatory changes; understand Ei's strengths and competitors.
• Strategic Account Management – engage high-value customers and coordinate with Purchasing, R&D, and Regulatory.

Skills

Relationship building

Sales experience

Account management

Strategic selling

Industry awareness

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Account Manager (Minnesota)

05.13.26

Position Description: Account Manager (Minnesota)

Essential Ingredients (Ei) is an international chemical distributor known for product innovation, exceptional service, strategic new ventures, and organic growth. We are a 100% employee-owned ESOP offering an exceptional culture, competitive compensation and benefits, paid service days, and generous charitable giving. Driven by the purpose of "being a blessing and inspiring others to be a blessing," Ei intends to remain independent and live out this purpose for decades to come.

Position Summary

Based in Minnesota, the Account Manager will drive sales efforts throughout their territory (Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin), developing business with both current accounts and new customers. With a relationships-first approach to sales and deep understanding of the market, this person will identify and close opportunities that align customer needs with Ei's current and future product and service offerings.

Essential Responsibilities

• Territory Growth – Grow current and new business through relationship-first sales and a strong understanding of our customers and the market. Leverage the total value proposition of Ei and our suppliers to deliver the highest degree of service, teamwork, and execution in the industry.
• Pipeline Development – Build a healthy pipeline that drives long-term, sustainable growth for the territory and our suppliers. Provide technical solutions to customer formulation challenges, building next-generation products in the Personal Care industry. Be our customers' first thought and call for any personal care chemical need, including new development efforts.
• Market Intelligence and Industry Knowledge – Monitor, analyze, and report on customer needs, market trends, and regulatory changes. Maintain a keen understanding of Ei's strengths, areas for development, and competitors in the region, especially as it relates to product portfolio, end-use applications, and customer priorities.
• Strategic Account Management – Drive high-value, strategic account engagement for key customers to anticipate evolving needs. Maximize the value of technical solutions, and build relationships deep and wide across customer organizations, including Purchasing, R&D, Operations, and Regulatory.

Key Skills And Experience

• Commitment to Ei's core values of Authentic Ownership, Who Before What, 100-Year Mindset, In The Arena, and Do The Right Thing.
• Bachelor of Science, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering is preferred.
• 5+ years sales experience in a technical selling environment, preferably specialty chemicals.
• Strong track record of sales growth and account management in previous roles.
• Relationship First – Demonstrated strength of relationship-first sales. Focused on building long-term partnerships that begin with customer care and needs.
• Ownership Mentality – Thinks and acts like an owner, with an entrepreneurial approach to the territory.
• Experience collaborating with customer R&D, technical service, and purchasing teams.
• Ability for regular day travel and some overnight travel.