Chemical Sales Manager

ND DEFENSE LLC• US,

3d•$100,000 - $120,000•Remote

About The Position

We are hiring a full-time Industrial Chemical Sales Manager to build and lead our chemical distribution business from the ground up in the Mid-South region. This is not a support role. You will own the sales strategy, develop the customer base, drive revenue, and shape the direction of the division. The right person brings deep industrial chemical sales experience, an existing network of manufacturing contacts in the region, and the drive to build something from a strong foundation. As the Industrial Chemical Sales Manager, you will be responsible for all revenue generation, customer acquisition, account management, pricing strategy, and market development in the Mid-South. This role carries full accountability for sales targets and is expected to grow from initial market entry to a sustained, profitable book of business within the first 12 months. The right candidate does not need direction on how to sell industrial chemicals — they bring an active network, a track record of territory ownership, and the credibility to walk into a plant and get a conversation that turns into a contract.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of outside sales experience in industrial chemicals, chemical distribution, or closely related industrial product sales in the region
Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets in a territory or account management role
Established network of contacts at manufacturing and industrial facilities in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, or the broader Gulf Coast/Southeast regions.
Working knowledge of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), chemical handling procedures, and relevant DOT/OSHA/EPA regulations
Experience with CRM platforms and pipeline management (HubSpot, Salesforce, or equivalent)
Strong negotiation skills with experience structuring supply agreements, volume contracts, and pricing models
Willingness to travel extensively within the territory (estimated 50–70% travel, primarily day trips with occasional overnights)
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Bachelor’s degree in business, chemistry, engineering, or related field (equivalent experience considered)

Nice To Haves

Prior experience building a new sales territory, product line, or division from the ground up
Experience with imported or specialty-sourced chemicals and direct-from-origin supply chains
Knowledge of international trade logistics, including import documentation, tariffs, and customs processes
Existing relationships with Gulf Coast terminal operators, logistics providers, or chemical distributors in the region
Entrepreneurial — comfortable without a playbook; builds process as they go
Relationship-first seller — credibility and trust open doors that marketing cannot
Commercially sharp — understands margin, not just revenue; protects the business model
Organized under pressure — manages a complex pipeline, multiple stakeholders, and operational coordination simultaneously
Self-directed — does not need daily management; owns the territory and reports results

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the go-to-market strategy for industrial chemical sales across the Mid-South.
Identify, prospect, and close new accounts with manufacturing, processing, industrial, and municipal facilities — with phased expansion into agricultural markets
Build and maintain a qualified pipeline from initial outreach through contract execution; maintain accurate forecasting and activity logging in CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce, or equivalent)
Establish competitive pricing strategies that balance gross margin targets with market penetration objectives
Negotiate and execute supply agreements, volume contracts, and long-term customer commitments; negotiate product prioritization with suppliers as volume grows
Own the full customer lifecycle: prospecting, qualification, proposal, close, onboarding, and ongoing account management
Serve as the primary point of contact for all customer-facing interactions, including pricing inquiries, product specifications, and issue resolution
Conduct regular in-person customer visits to manufacturing sites and facilities across the territory
Monitor customer satisfaction, usage patterns, and reorder cycles to maximize retention and expand share of wallet
Identify and pursue cross-sell and upsell opportunities as the product portfolio expands
Track competitor pricing, product availability, delivery performance, and market positioning across the territory
Identify emerging demand trends, new end-use applications, and opportunities to expand the product portfolio
Provide regular market intelligence reports to leadership, including competitive landscape analysis and customer feedback
Recommend adjustments to pricing, product mix, and territory focus based on market conditions
Coordinate with logistics and supply chain teams on import schedules, inventory planning, and delivery execution
Ensure all sales activities comply with applicable regulations for the sale, transport, and storage of industrial chemicals (OSHA, EPA, DOT)
Maintain accurate and current Safety Data Sheets (SDS), certificates of analysis, and product documentation for all products sold
Represent the company at regional trade shows, industry association events, and customer conferences
Terminal booking, inventory, BOLs, sampling, customer delivery