Sales Representative - Minnesota Market

AkzoNobel•High Point, NC

8d•$106,000 - $118,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AkzoNobel is seeking a Sales Representative to grow its Industrial Wood Coatings business in Minnesota and surrounding territories. This field-based role is responsible for sales growth, distributor-partner support, new business development, and technical coatings support. The territory primarily covers Minnesota, portions of South Dakota and Iowa, with occasional support for key distributors in neighboring markets. Minneapolis is preferred, but candidates anywhere in Minnesota will be considered. The role involves approximately 70–75% travel within the assigned territory. The position combines commercial sales with technical customer support. The representative builds relationships with distributor partners and end users, helps solve customer challenges, and serves as a coatings advisor. The role independently prepares sales presentations, contracts, and proposals, and manages claims negotiations to minimize liability.

Requirements

3–5 years of work experience in industrial wood coatings, commercial roles, sales and key account management, or sales to strategic accounts.
Knowledge of the paints and coatings industry or experience in a B2B industry environment.
Fluency in English.
Skills in stakeholder management, project management, decision-making, creating value propositions, drive, results orientation, customer service, problem-solving, communication and presentation, commercial and business acumen, and a basic understanding of cross-functional processes and sales- and cost-to-serve financial concepts.
Ability to participate in and complete a qualitative and quantitative respirator fit test, and use a respirator as required.
Outgoing, energetic, and customer-focused approach.
Self-motivation and comfort working independently.
Ability to build long-term customer relationships.
Ability to balance technical problem-solving with sales growth objectives.
Comfort spending significant time in the field visiting distributors and customers.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage and grow an established distributor network and customer portfolio.
Develop new business opportunities and identify additional distribution channels.
Build strong relationships with key distributor partners and end users.
Provide technical support, troubleshoot, and recommend products for wood-coating applications.
Generate leads, maintain a healthy sales pipeline, and convert opportunities into revenue growth.
Conduct customer visits and product demonstrations.
Monitor sales performance against territory targets and implement growth strategies.
Gather market intelligence and customer feedback to support business development initiatives.
Represent AkzoNobel professionally and promote long-term customer partnerships.
Independently prepare sales presentations, contracts, and proposals to support successful transactions.
Manage claims negotiations to minimize liability.
Support key distributor accounts, including Hirschfield's and other regional partners.