Technical Sales Representative - Metalworking Fluids

iLocatum; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k matching

Car allowance

Job summary

Ilocatum is seeking a Full-Cycle Account Representative to manage and grow a Michigan-based territory, focusing on metalworking fluids and metal pretreatment chemicals. The role combines technical sales, business development, account management, and hands-on service within manufacturing environments.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical understanding of industrial chemical applications, travel throughout Michigan, and a demonstrated ability to build lasting customer relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial chemical sales or technical service for metalworking fluids and pretreatment chemicals.
• Strong knowledge of metalworking fluids and their applications in manufacturing.
• Proven ability to develop customer relationships and identify sales opportunities.
• Experience working with manufacturing facilities and industrial customers.
• Willingness to travel throughout Michigan and reside in Detroit or Lansing area.

Responsibilities

• Develop new business opportunities and expand existing customer accounts throughout Michigan.
• Sell and service industrial chemical products including metalworking fluids and pretreatment chemicals.
• Build and maintain relationships with plant personnel, engineers and purchasing teams.
• Provide hands-on technical support, product recommendations, troubleshooting, and application assistance.
• Identify customer needs and recommend chemical solutions to improve processes and efficiency.
• Manage full sales cycle from prospecting to closing and ongoing account support.
• Conduct regular customer visits to evaluate product performance and identify opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal technical and customer service teams to ensure satisfaction and retention.
• Monitor market trends and competitive activity within the territory.

Skills

Industrial chemical sales

Technical service

Account management

Relationship building

Manufacturing environment knowledge

Strong communication

Technical troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or related field

Job description

Job description:

Full-Cycle Account Representative Industrial Chemicals

Location: Michigan (Detroit and Lansing preferred; open to candidates statewide)

Industry: Industrial Chemicals / Metalworking Fluids / Metal Pretreatment

We are seeking an experienced Full-Cycle Account Representative to manage and grow an established territory throughout Michigan for a well-established industrial chemical manufacturer. This position combines technical sales, business development, account management, and hands-on customer service, with a focus on metalworking fluids (MWF) and metal pretreatment chemicals.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical understanding of industrial chemical applications and experience both selling and servicing chemical products within manufacturing environments. This individual will be responsible for developing new business opportunities, maintaining existing customer relationships, troubleshooting technical challenges, and promoting a comprehensive portfolio of industrial chemical solutions.

Candidates with experience in both metalworking fluids and metal pretreatment are highly preferred. However, individuals with strong metalworking fluid expertise will also be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop new business opportunities and expand existing customer accounts throughout Michigan.
• Sell and service industrial chemical products, including metalworking fluids, metal pretreatment chemicals, and related solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with manufacturing customers, plant personnel, engineers, and purchasing teams.
• Provide hands-on technical support, product recommendations, troubleshooting, and application assistance.
• Identify customer needs and recommend chemical solutions that improve manufacturing processes, product performance, and operational efficiency.
• Manage the full sales cycle, including prospecting, customer visits, technical presentations, proposals, closing, and ongoing account support.
• Conduct regular customer visits to evaluate product performance, resolve issues, and identify opportunities for additional business.
• Work closely with internal technical and customer service teams to ensure customer satisfaction and long-term account retention.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and emerging opportunities within the territory.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial chemical sales, technical service, or account management involving metalworking fluids (MWF) and/or metal pretreatment chemicals.
• Strong working knowledge of metalworking fluids, including their applications in machining, metal fabrication, or manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop customer relationships, identify sales opportunities, and support technical product applications.
• Experience working directly with manufacturing facilities and industrial customers.
• Ability and willingness to perform both sales and hands-on technical service responsibilities.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel throughout Michigan to support customers and develop new business.
• Must reside in Michigan.

• Experience with both metalworking fluids and metal pretreatment/metal finishing chemicals.
• Previous experience in a full-cycle technical sales role involving prospecting, closing, account management, and technical service.
• Current or previous employment with a manufacturer or distributor of metalworking fluids, metal pretreatment chemicals, or competing industrial chemical solutions.
• Experience troubleshooting chemical applications, optimizing product performance, and recommending process improvements.
• Existing relationships within Michigan’s industrial manufacturing market.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Residence in the Detroit or Lansing metropolitan areas.

Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidates will combine a technical understanding of metalworking fluids and pretreatment chemistry with the commercial drive to generate new business and the hands-on ability to support customers

Why is This a Great Opportunity:

Excellent benefits such as strong 401k matching and car allowance

Opportunity for growth

Salary Type : Annual Salary

Salary Min : $ 100000

Salary Max : $ 125000

Currency Type : USD