Technical Account Manager

Sonoco; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 73,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Wellbeing tools and resources

Paid time off and holidays

Insurance plans (life, personal, etc.)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sonoco is seeking a Senior Account Manager to lead technical-commercial initiatives across tissue/towel markets in the Midwest. You will own account plans, build multi-level relationships from plant operations to senior leadership, and translate customer needs into differentiated value propositions.

You will collaborate with engineering, quality, operations, procurement, and finance to develop new products, manage pricing and margins, forecast demand, and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; preference for engineering, materials science, chemistry, business, or related technical discipline.
• 7–10+ years in packaging and paper manufacturing environments with a strong blend of technical and commercial responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success in strategic or national account management and complex opportunity development.
• Travel up to 50%; willingness to travel to West Coast accounts.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute account plans aligned with divisional objectives.
• Lead the technical-commercial interface with converters and end users.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and technical developments.
• Act as a technical partner to customers by understanding their equipment and specs.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations to develop and commercialize new products.
• Translate customer process challenges into internal development projects.
• Support value proposition development by quantifying performance improvements.
• Lead pricing strategy and margin management for assigned accounts.
• Maintain detailed account analytics including sales, volume forecasts, gross margins, and contract terms.
• Support S&OP through accurate forecasting and demand insights.
• Manage commercial agreements including pricing structures, supply agreements, and confidentiality agreements.
• Ensure disciplined management of AR/DSO and working capital objectives.
• Serve as the primary commercial liaison across functions to align account strategies.
• Champion internal communication for flawless execution of customer programs.
• Lead resolution of complex technical or commercial issues with cross-functional resources.
• Conduct regular business and technical reviews covering performance, quality, delivery, and value creation.
• Promote a continuous improvement mindset focused on operations and customer success.

Skills

Account management

Strategic planning

CRM proficiency

Analytical skills

Cross-functional liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive.

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

This role integrates technical, commercial, and account management responsibilities to drive profitable growth within the tissue/towel market segment. The position serves as the technical-commercial lead for assigned accounts and new product development initiatives, translating customer manufacturing, performance, and sustainability requirements into differentiated value propositions. The role partners cross-functionally with operations, quality, engineering, technology, supply chain, and finance to deliver technically sound, economically compelling solutions while strengthening long-term customer relationships.

Safety, health, and environmental stewardship take precedence over all duties in this position.

What You Will Be Doing

• Own and execute account plans aligned with divisional objectives, including volume growth, margin improvement, and market share expansion.
• Lead the technical-commercial interface with converters and end users, developing deep, multi-level relationships from plant operations through executive leadership.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and technical developments to inform strategy and proactively identify growth opportunities.
• Act as a technical subject-matter partner to customers by understanding their converting equipment, specifications, performance criteria, and application requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations teams to develop, test, and commercialize new products, grades, and service offerings.
• Translate customer process challenges into actionable internal development projects, including trials, qualifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support value proposition development by quantifying performance improvements, material efficiencies, and operational benefits.
• Lead pricing strategy as well as margin management for assigned accounts.
• Maintain detailed account analytics including sales, volume forecasts, gross margins, competitive positioning, specifications, and contract terms.
• Support sales and operational planning (S&OP) through accurate forecasting and demand insights.
• Manage commercial agreements including pricing structures, supply agreements, inventory programs, and confidentiality agreements.
• Ensure disciplined management of AR/DSO and working capital objectives.
• Serve as the primary commercial liaison across operations, quality, technology, engineering, procurement, and finance to ensure alignment on account strategies.
• Champion internal communication to ensure flawless execution of customer programs from development through commercialization.
• Lead resolution of complex technical or commercial issues by coordinating cross-functional resources to ensure timely, effective outcomes.
• Conduct regular business and technical reviews covering performance, quality, delivery, innovation pipelines, and value creation.
• Promote a continuous improvement mindset focused on operational optimization and customer success.

We'd Love To Hear From You If

• Bachelor’s degree required; preference for engineering, materials science, chemistry, business, or related technical discipline.
• 7–10+ years of experience in packaging and paper manufacturing environments with a strong blend of technical and commercial responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success in strategic or national account management and complex opportunity development.
• Proven ability to quantify and communicate technical and financial value.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and business acumen.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and advanced use of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience supporting new product development or technical commercialization projects.
• Working knowledge of converting processes, raw materials, and performance-based specifications.
• Location Mid-West (Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL preferred). Position will cover a few accounts on the West Coast that will require travel to these areas.
• Travel required to customer sites, manufacturing facilities, and internal meetings as business needs dictate. Travel will be at least 50%.
• High integrity with a strong commitment to safety and compliance.
• Customer-focused, technically curious, and results-driven.
• Structured, methodical approach to complex problem-solving.
• Willingness to challenge the status quo and drive continuous improvement.

Compensation

This is a progression position, and salary will be determined based on experience and business needs. The annual base salary range for this role is as follows:

• Account Representative: $73,280 - $82,400, plus an annual target bonus of 12.5% of base salary.
• Account Representative II: $99,360 - $111,780, plus an annual target bonus of 12.5% of base salary.
• Senior Account Representative: $111,760 - $125,730, plus an annual target bonus of 12.5% of base salary.
• Account Manager: $124,800 - $140,400, plus an annual target bonus of 12.5% of base salary.

At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.