Sales Account Manager - Business Development

Sunstar Engineering Americas•Springboro, OH

About The Position

Sunstar Engineering is seeking a Sales Account Manager to grow its specialty chemical and automotive OEM businesses, win new customers, and develop profitable opportunities in industries beyond automotive. The role owns business development and account growth, connecting customer needs with the company’s technical capabilities and pursuing opportunities from initial outreach through award and launch coordination. The Sales Account Manager will identify target accounts and new applications for Sunstar’s adhesives, sealants, coatings, and specialty chemical capabilities; build qualified pipelines and growth plans; and develop profitable customer relationships. The role collaborates with technical and operational teams to assess opportunities, develop solutions, and deliver customer commitments. It also represents customer needs internally, supports APQP and product launches, and uses market feedback and competitive insight to inform business development.

Requirements

Demonstrated success generating new B2B business and growing customer accounts.
Ability to identify new applications, learn customer processes, and work with technical teams to evaluate opportunities.
Strong communication, negotiation, and planning skills.
Microsoft Office skills.
Ability to travel approximately 30% to 60%, including overnight customer visits.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of B2B or strategic account sales experience preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in business, science, or engineering preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in specialty chemicals, adhesives, sealants, coatings, automotive OEM or Tier One sales, or other industrial markets is a plus.

Responsibilities

Hunt for new business in specialty chemicals and automotive OEMs by identifying target accounts, initiating outreach, and winning new customers.
Expand existing accounts through new programs, products, and applications.
Develop markets beyond automotive by identifying industries, customers, and applications where Sunstar’s capabilities can solve customer problems.
Work with technical teams to assess fit, qualify opportunities, and establish a path to profitable business.
Build a qualified pipeline by understanding customer needs, decision makers, timing, competition, technical requirements, and financial potential.
Lead commercial pursuits from initial conversation through proposal, negotiation, award, and launch coordination.
Develop profitable relationships across purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and leadership.
Create account and market growth plans, establish priorities and sales targets, and maintain accurate forecasts while taking responsibility for progress.
Collaborate with Customer Engineers, R&D, Quality, Operations, and Purchasing to develop solutions and meet customer commitments.
Represent the customer internally and support APQP, project schedules, product launches, and issue resolution through clear communication and follow-through.
Use customer feedback, competitive insight, and industry developments to inform pricing, identify applications, and guide business development.