Sales Manager - Engineering Plastics

Mitsubishi Performance Polymers Division•Commerce Township, MI

1d•Remote

About The Position

Mitsubishi Chemical is seeking a Sales Manager for its Engineering Plastics business to drive growth, strengthen strategic customer partnerships, and expand the company’s presence in automotive and non-automotive markets. The role develops new business opportunities, supports Japanese customer accounts, and delivers material solutions that address customer needs. It connects the U.S. commercial organization with Sales and R&D teams in Japan and requires fluent Japanese communication and an understanding of Japanese business culture. The position combines sales strategy, business development, strategic account management, technical sales support, market analysis, and commercial operations. The manager works with customers and cross-functional, international teams to identify applications, communicate technical and commercial value, and support product development opportunities. The role is remote within the United States and involves approximately 30% travel within the country, along with regular collaboration with global teams, including colleagues in Japan.

Requirements

Fluency in Japanese, written and verbal, and understanding of Japanese business culture.
Four-year degree in Plastics Technology, Business, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
At least 5 years of related commercial experience in sales, marketing, or new business development, or equivalent experience.
Strong knowledge of engineering plastics, compounding, application development, and technical support.
Experience working within a multinational organization.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with senior-level customer stakeholders.
Strong business development, strategic thinking, and customer relationship management capabilities.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Strong planning, organization, and time-management abilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional and international teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience within the automotive industry.
Background in plastic resin manufacturing and sales.
Experience supporting Japanese automotive customers or multinational accounts.
Experience with Salesforce or another CRM platform.
Experience collaborating with international Sales, Marketing, and R&D teams.
Strong technical understanding of engineered plastic materials and their applications.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute sales strategies that support revenue growth, operating income improvement, and business objectives.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities in engineering plastics, automotive applications, and related markets; expand the customer base in automotive and non-automotive industries.
Identify upselling and cross-selling opportunities and develop value propositions for Mitsubishi Chemical products.
Provide strategic account direction and qualified business opportunities to the commercial team.
Develop and maintain relationships with current and prospective customers, including Japanese automotive accounts and senior-level stakeholders.
Understand customer priorities and technical requirements, provide responsive service, and collaborate internally on tailored solutions.
Serve as a primary communication liaison between U.S. commercial teams and Sales and R&D teams in Japan.
Facilitate information sharing across global sales and marketing organizations and align commercial priorities, customer requirements, and product development opportunities.
Communicate customer feedback, emerging applications, and product requests to Commercial and R&D teams.
Develop and maintain technical knowledge of engineering plastics, compounding, and application development.
Partner with technical teams to provide product information, application guidance, and technical support.
Help customers identify material solutions for performance, manufacturing, and application requirements, and support new product, application, and service introductions.
Monitor automotive and engineering plastics trends, emerging technologies, competitors, legislation, regulations, trade developments, and industry standards.
Gather customer and market intelligence, share insights, and recommend actions to support commercial strategies and market expansion.
Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, sales activity, and opportunities; prepare reports on sales performance, customer feedback, and market developments.
Support improvements to sales tools, processes, and commercial practices; maintain product knowledge through training and professional development.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align customer priorities and business objectives.