Job Summary

Ketjen Corporation is seeking a Sales Account Manager. The position will be based out of the Clear Lake Office located in Houston, Texas.

In this position, the Sales Account Manager is the primary contact for technical, procurement and key decision makers within selected customer accounts.  You will be responsible for setting the sales strategy and gaining internal support to successfully execute the strategy.  You must be able to build and maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders built on routine interactions and trust to be able to bridge both the customer’s and Ketjen’s needs.  As a Sales Account Manager, you must possess the technical acumen to develop and deliver insights that will both support and challenge the customer’s operation and catalyst buying behavior in way that is beneficial to both organizations.  You must be able to work with a team of highly effective technical and commercial experts to efficiently resolve issues and meet customer requests as they align with the account strategy and within the capabilities of Ketjen’s resources.  You will identify inefficiencies in resources and gaps that prevent growth of business and guide Ketjen stakeholders to continual improvement with the account.  The vacancy is based at our office in our Clear Lake, Texas office.

What You Will Do

• Take ownership as Ketjen’s interface with the customer.  Perform and/or manage commercial activities deemed appropriate to serve customer’s needs thereby developing a strong credibility for Ketjen that leads to sales of our products.
• Guide internal teams to meet customer’s technical and commercial requests and continually provide feedback to internal stakeholders on the cost/benefit of supporting key account.
• Build and maintain relationships with Leadership and Decision Makers within account.  Manage relationship by representing Ketjen in multiple engagements and meetings, as required.  Know when to draw in Ketjen Leadership Team, as needed.
• Prepare and execute account plans.
• Prepare, present, negotiate, and discuss Commercial proposals with customers
• Track and maintain accurate forecasting of customer usage rates.
• Provide market intelligence and industry trends for strategic purpose
• Meet/exceed group and individual annual and quarterly targets (volume/profit) as set by division management in Annual Operating Plan
• Successfully negotiate and secure long term supply agreements as per business requirements
• Factual and timely internal reporting by using company appropriate tools
• Document and update all customer interfaces and contact points in CRM system
• Support improvement of industry perception of Ketjen technical strength and value propositions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree: Engineering discipline preferred.
• Minimum 3+ years in refining industry; preferably with experience in Hydroprocessing operation.  At least 5+ years in a Sales-related role.
• Strong communication skills to present and explain commercial offers, technical offers, and unit optimization reports to customers.
• Negotiations skills and experience
• Ability to build connections, credibility and exert influence internal as well as external.
• Perseverance, persuasiveness, and confidence
• Professionalism, passion, and commitment
• Organizational skills
• Fluent in English, Spanish and Portugese
• Ability to travel up to 40%, including international travel to Latin America

Preferred:

• Experienced sales professional with at least 10+ years experience
• BS Chemical Engineering degree