Inside Sales Representative

PQ Corporation; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

PQ Corporation in Joliet, IL is seeking an Inside Sales Representative to maintain and grow sales with existing customers while prospecting for new business. This office-based role combines email, Teams, and phone contact with essential commercial and administrative duties.

You will manage customer accounts, negotiate pricing within guidelines, coordinate with Customer Service and Technical Support, and use CRM systems (Salesforce) and SAP.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Chemistry, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience in a sales, customer service, or commercial role in chemical/manufacturing industry preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build rapport and manage relationships.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and SAP; ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of customers within the assigned region, ensuring consistent sales and profitability.
• Serve as the primary contact for customers, addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
• Build and maintain relationships via email, phone, and Teams; maintain CRM records.
• Qualify leads, generate new business opportunities, and move accounts through the sales pipeline.

Skills

Sales experience

Customer relationship management

Strong communication

MS Office proficiency

CRM systems (Salesforce)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/C Chemistry or related field

Tools

Salesforce

SAP

MS Office

Job description

PQ is a leading global provider of silicates, silicas and derivative products. PQ’s products are used in a wide variety of industrial processes and many customer products, from decorative paints to green cement, from clean drinking water to green tires and from toothpaste to biofuels and beer.

Ideal candidates resonate with PQ’s Core Values of Integrity, Sustainability, People, Customer Focus and Safety. Successful employees embrace and model these values in their behaviors and actions.

Job Description

Position Overview

The Inside Sales Representative will play a crucial role in maintaining and growing the sales and margin of our existing customer base within the assigned business unit and region, as well as driving new business through lead generation, prospecting, and lead qualification. This is an office-based role that combines customer contact (primarily via email, Teams, and phone) with essential commercial and administrative duties. The role requires effective communication, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure customer satisfaction and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Sales and Customer Management

• Manage a portfolio of customers within the assigned business unit and region, ensuring consistent sales and maintaining overall profitability.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for these customers, handling inquiries and addressing any issues or concerns.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers through regular communication via email, phone, and Teams.
• Maintain accurate records in our CRM of customer interactions, agreements, and sales activities in company systems.

Lead Generation and Prospecting

• Generate new business opportunities through proactive outbound prospecting via phone, email, and Teams.
• Research and identify prospective customers within the assigned business unit and region.
• Qualify inbound and self-generated leads, converting qualified prospects into new accounts or routing opportunities to the appropriate sales channel.
• Usher accounts through the sales pipeline to closure for your individual portfolio and in concert with account managers as appropriate

Commercial Activities

• For the assigned portfolio of customers, negotiate pricing and terms within established guidelines to meet customer needs and company objectives.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to identify opportunities for growth or areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with Customer Service to ensure efficient order processing, delivery, and invoicing.

Collaboration and Communication

• Act as a liaison between customers, the Corporate Account Manager, Customer Service, and Technical Support to ensure seamless service and issue resolution.
• Provide feedback to internal teams regarding customer needs, preferences, and potential areas for product or service enhancement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Chemistry, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience in a sales, customer service, or commercial role, preferably within the chemical or manufacturing industry.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and manage relationships effectively.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong capabilities in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), A.I. and familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and SAP.
• Ability to travel as necessary / occasionally

Additional Information

Special Factors

• Base Salary $80,000 - 90,000 + commission

EHS Responsibilities

• Communicates, promotes and personally demonstrates Safety/Health (including PQP Principles) as #1 priority
• Participation in risk assessment audits as applicable
• Understand PQ Principles (PQP) and how they are implemented in the site organization, rules and procedures
• Completes HSE training requirements identified for the job in a timely manner