Applications Specialist
Application Specialist - Midwest Region
Territory: PA, OH, IN, IL, MI, WI, MN
Location: Remote (Must reside within territory)
Travel: Approximately 40-50%
Position Overview
Our client, a global leader in specialty chemicals serving the pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industries, is seeking an Application Specialist to support and grow customer relationships across the Midwest region.
This highly visible, customer-facing role combines technical application support, chemical process expertise, account management, and business development. The successful candidate will serve as the primary technical resource for paper mill customers, helping optimize chemical programs, solve operational challenges, improve process performance, and identify opportunities for business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the lead technical contact for pulp, paper, packaging, and converting customers throughout the territory.
- Support and optimize customer chemical programs through technical evaluations, troubleshooting, and process improvement initiatives.
- Conduct on-site mill visits to evaluate operating conditions, analyze process performance, and develop customer-specific recommendations.
- Lead product trials, chemical evaluations, and application studies to improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and profitability.
- Work directly with mill managers, production leaders, process engineers, operators, maintenance personnel, and procurement teams.
- Provide technical support across applications involving:
- Wet-end chemistry
- Retention and drainage programs
- Strength additives
- Sizing chemistry
- Water treatment
- Coatings and specialty additives
- Prepare and present technical reports, business reviews, and performance improvement recommendations.
- Partner closely with Sales, Technical Service, Product Management, Operations, and R&D teams.
- Identify opportunities to expand existing business and increase share-of-wallet within key customer accounts.
- Support new business development efforts through strong technical credibility and customer engagement.
Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in the pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, specialty chemicals, industrial water treatment, or related process manufacturing industries.
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Paper Science, Pulp & Paper Technology, or a related technical discipline preferred.
- Experience supporting customer chemical programs, technical service activities, process optimization initiatives, or industrial manufacturing operations.
- Strong understanding of paper mill operations, manufacturing processes, industrial water treatment systems, process chemistry, or specialty chemical applications.
- Demonstrated experience troubleshooting operational issues and delivering technical solutions to customers.
- Proven ability to build relationships with customers and work effectively with plant leadership, operations teams, engineers, procurement, and maintenance personnel.
- Strong communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently in a field-based environment and travel throughout the territory.
Compensation
- Base Salary: $130,000 - $170,000
- Annual Bonus: 30% - 40%
- Car Allowance
- Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Remote Work Environment
Position Summary
This role is responsible for helping paper mill and packaging customers improve manufacturing performance through technical expertise, chemical applications support, process troubleshooting, and strategic account development while driving growth across a multi-state Midwest territory covering Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
FAQs
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