Technical Service Representative

Alta Performance Materials group; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTA Performance Materials is seeking a Technical Service Representative to provide technical support to customers within the company's Composites business. You will develop deep knowledge of products, applications, and fabrication processes to optimize performance and manufacturing outcomes.

The role involves onsite customer visits, product trials, and collaboration with Sales to expand existing business and pursue new opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related technical discipline preferred.
• Experience in composites, resins, coatings, polymers, or related technical environment preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present technical information clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to customers related to products, applications, manufacturing processes, and product performance.
• Develop understanding of product portfolio, technologies, applications, and end markets.
• Troubleshoot issues and collaborate on effective solutions.
• Conduct onsite customer visits, product trials, and application evaluations.
• Prepare technical service reports documenting visits, trials, findings and recommendations.
• Partner with Sales to grow existing business and support new opportunities.

Skills

Technical aptitude

Problem solving

Customer orientation

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking candidates who are located in or near the Elkhart, Indiana area.

ALTA Performance Materials is the global leader in a broad range of general-purpose and high-performance grades of unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins, gelcoats and low-profile additives for the plastics industry. ALTA Performance Materials are used in many global markets: including building materials; corrosion-resistant fiber reinforced plastic; recreation; transportation; and wind energy. The business has operations in multiple locations in the US, Europe, Brazil, India and China.

For decades, we've set the standard for excellence and reliability, elevating performance in composites. Today, we're writing the next chapter—an independent, future-focused company driven by innovation and a passion for pushing boundaries. Our strength lies in our people: experts and innovators who bring energy and purpose to everything we do. With a portfolio of premium brands and a culture built on trust, proactivity and partnership, we’re shaping the future of composites materials. Join us and help define what’s next.

**This role will support customers within the northern IN area.

Position Summary:

The Technical Service Representative is responsible for providing technical support to customers within the company's Composites business. This role serves as a key technical partner to customers and the Commercial organization, supporting existing business, new business development, product qualifications, application development, and resolution of technical challenges.

The Technical Service Representative develops strong knowledge of the company's products, customer applications, composite fabrication processes, and industry practices and applies that expertise to help customers optimize product performance and manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide technical support to customers related to the company's products, applications, manufacturing processes, and product performance.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the company's product portfolio, technologies, applications, and end markets.
• Troubleshoot customer product, process, and application issues and work collaboratively to identify effective solutions.
• Conduct onsite customer visits, technical assessments, product trials, and application evaluations.
• Provide product recommendations based on customer requirements, applications, manufacturing processes, and performance needs.
• Support customers in optimizing product use, processing conditions, quality, and overall performance.
• Prepare detailed technical service reports documenting customer visits, trials, findings, recommendations, issues, and follow-up actions.
• Partner closely with Sales to maintain and grow existing business and support the development of new opportunities.
• Provide technical expertise throughout the commercial process, including customer evaluations, product qualifications, trials, conversions, and new product introductions.
• Develop strong relationships with technical, manufacturing, quality, and other key stakeholders within customer organizations.
• Proactively engage with customers to understand their operations, technical needs, challenges, and future opportunities.
• Identify potential opportunities for the company's products and technologies based on customer needs and market insights.
• Support customer seminars, product demonstrations, technical presentations, and training.
• Provide technical input for account strategies and customer development plans.
• Build and maintain strong technical knowledge of composite materials, fabrication processes, industry test methods, and related manufacturing equipment.
• Develop expertise in assigned products, applications, technologies, and customer markets.
• Support product field trials and document results, observations, recommendations, and next steps.
• Partner with internal technical teams on complex customer issues, product performance questions, and application development opportunities.
• Share customer and market insights with internal teams to support product development, technical priorities, and continuous improvement.
• Support geographic and market expansion through product training, application support, and technology transfer.
• Work closely with Sales, Technology, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and other functions to resolve customer issues and support commercial priorities.
• Communicate customer needs, technical challenges, and market trends to appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate resources and expertise across the organization to ensure timely and effective customer support.
• Represent the company at relevant industry associations, trade organizations, conferences, and technical events as appropriate.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the company's safety culture and expectations during customer visits, field trials, laboratory activities, and other work.
• Follow all applicable company and customer safety requirements and promote safe handling and application of the company's products.
• Identify and appropriately escalat potential safety concerns observed during technical service activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related technical discipline preferred. Other science or engineering degrees may be considered based on relevant experience and demonstrated technical knowledge.
• Experience in composites, specialty chemicals, resins, coatings, polymers, manufacturing, or a related technical environment preferred.
• Experience with composite materials, manufacturing processes, or related applications is preferred but not required.
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand products, applications, manufacturing processes, and customer technical challenges.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Strong customer orientation with the ability to develop effective relationships across technical and commercial organizations.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear technical reports and deliver customer presentations and training.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple customer needs, projects, and priorities.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across functions and within a global organization.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and comfortable working independently in customer environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Experience with SAP or other enterprise systems is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to approximately 50%, including overnight travel.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and able to travel domestically and internationally as required.

ALTA Performance Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace for all employees. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable local law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business needs.