Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world. Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it's powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you're a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you'll find your place at Avient. Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!
Job Summary
The Avient Key Accounts Manager is responsible for profitable growth through the commercial management and sales of Avient Specialty Engineered Material rigid and TPE plastic solutions to top manufacturers in the Consumer industry.
Duties include strategic account plan development / implementation, achieving annual objectives for sales, margins and volume growth at key customers, while increasing Avient presence, products and functional interaction within key customers.
Expectations include the ability to communicate and collaborate at all levels of management, both internally and externally, building relationships that ensure Avient is viewed as a strategic partner. Individual must have the ability to assist customers and Avient account team members with a high aptitude for problem solving to deliver solutions, bring energy, enthusiasm and professionalism to their daily routines. This role requires the individual to perform the function independently with minimal oversight, and effectively interact and influence at the managerial peer level. Up to 50% travel is required.
Plastics industry and 10 years prior outside sales experience preferred. The ideal candidate will be located in the Midwestern region of the US.
Essential Functions
* Drive profitable revenue growth through strategic new business development within key accounts
* Achieve targeted gross margin percentages while ensuring sustainable long-term customer relationships
* Utilize customer-centric selling techniques including but not limited to scorecards, business reviews, EVE tools, high, wide & deep relationship building, 5 warning signs, prospecting, and sales funnel development
* Ensure effective CRM system management - maintain accuracy and track progress against business objectives identify cross-selling opportunities and manage risk mitigation (e.g., avoiding bad debts, collecting AR's)
* Establish and execute account development plans to foster relationships across all levels within customer organizations
* Identify and close new business opportunities within strategic accounts by building strategic networks
* Develop and manage sales plans, budgets, and expense allocations to achieve financial targets
* Contribute to long-term and short-term business objectives by setting realistic and ambitious sales forecasts.
* Serve as a strategic business consultant, providing customers with tailored solutions that align with their objectives and operational challenges
* Recommend competitive pricing, custom solutions and key product offerings to maximize customer value
* Work in partnership with technical, customer service and other Avient business segments to ensure seamless service delivery and maintain a unified "One Avient" presence
* Drive cross-departmental initiatives to optimize customer experience, engagement and satisfaction
* Maintain accurate CRM records and sales analytics while tracking progress against business objectives.
* Keep the Sales Manager informed through regular activity reports and insights on market trends, customer needs and competitive positioning
* Implement and execute the growth strategy set by the Sales and Marketing Managers within focus market segments
* Develop deep customer insights to proactively identify new opportunities that align with Avent's strategic goals
* Actively contribute to organizational development by identifying efficiency improvements and best practices in strategic account management
* Stay updated on industry trends, innovations, and competitive movements to refine sales tactics and maintain a competitive edge.
* Perform other duties as assigned, ensuring alignment with overall business strategy and objectives.
* Capable of effectively navigating and managing large multinational customer organizations
* Bring a high level of professionalism to their day-to-day routine
Education and Experience
* Bachelor's Degree required in Plastics or Polymer Engineering, Business, Chemistry, or related discipline.
* 8+ years sales experience in account management/sales, in manufacturing environment.
* Complex thinking skills in translating customer needs into solutions.
* Excellent problem-solving abilities.
* Technical aptitude.
* Professional presence, including excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
* Broad knowledge of solutions, materials and processing.
* Self-motivated.
* Team player.
* Strong organizational skills required.
* Minimal training and oversight required.
* Works autonomously on a day-to-day basis.
* Strong computer skills, proficiency with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Competencies
Each position at Avient focuses on 6 Core Competencies as a Leader of Self. Additionally, management positions focus on Leadership Competencies as a Leader of Others and/or a Leader of the Business. These competencies are designed to drive behavior that will ultimately help our associates excel at their current roles, while supporting individual and career development.
Physical Demands
* Work is in a home office environment.
* Valid US driver's license and good driving record required.
* Position will require up to 50% domestic travel, inclusive of 5% international travel.
We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business. By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient's strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.
At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.
Avient Corporation
Jun 10, 2025