Key Account Specialist

Applied Adhesives • Louisville, KY

1d • $137,500 - $150,000 • Remote

About The Position

APPLIED Adhesives is the industry leader in helping manage costs, reduce waste, and make entire operations run more efficiently. We are passionate about solving complex challenges with innovative adhesive products and offerings. With world-class adhesive products, equipment, and parts along with visionary leadership, unparalleled expertise, and an agile, responsive service team, we’re not happy simply staying put. Every day, we leverage our technical expertise and passion for problem solving for the benefit of our customers and the future of our company. We have countless victories that we could celebrate, but we’re more interested in looking forward than back. We’ve collected the talent and skills to continue innovating new product solutions and applications in emerging industries. We have the fortitude to not only accept challenges, but to seek them out. And we have the confidence and determination to become the most sought-after adhesive solutions partner.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree required.
• 3–7+ years of experience in adhesives, industrial sales, manufacturing, or application engineering required.
• Located in the Louisville, Kentucky area.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to travel up to 75% of the time.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills required.
• Experience working in manufacturing or plant environments required.
• Must have strong technical aptitude and understanding.
• Must have ability and willingness to travel regularly to customer facilities.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience with hot melt, water based, pressure sensitive, or reactive adhesives preferred.
• Packaging, food & beverage, converting, or assembly industry experience preferred.
• Familiarity with adhesive application equipment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Applied Adhesives contact for assigned Key Account facilities.
• Own day-to-day customer relationships with plant management, engineering, maintenance, and operations.
• Conduct regular onsite visits to understand applications, production needs, and operational challenges.
• Ensure consistent customer experience, responsiveness, and satisfaction at the facility level.
• Lead adhesive trials, line startups, conversions, and optimization initiatives.
• Diagnose bonding, application, or process issues and drive corrective actions.
• Optimize adhesive usage, application methods, and total cost performance.
• Coordinate internal technical resources and supplier support as needed.
• Identify and develop plant level opportunities for new adhesives, technologies, and process improvements.
• Build and manage a facility level opportunity pipeline.
• Partner with the Key Account Manager on pricing strategy, approvals, and expansion planning.
• Support expansion into new lines, applications, or facilities within assigned accounts.
• Monitor competitive activity and communicate insights to account leadership.
• Coordinate equipment installs, service calls, training, and technical support.
• Manage plant level projects from planning through execution and follow up.
• Partner with operations, supply chain, and service teams to resolve issues efficiently.
• Ensure commitments to the customer are executed accurately and on time.
• Execute national and strategic account plans at the plant level.
• Participate in joint customer visits, trials, and account reviews as required.
• Provide plant level insights to support forecasting, planning, and QBRs.
• Maintain strong alignment with the Key Account Manager and Director of Sales – Key Accounts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• 401k Match
• Flexible and Team-Oriented work environment
• Generous PTO policy
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career and talent development opportunities as well as opportunities for personal growth

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree