Surfactant & Organics Technical Manager

Direct message the job poster from Chem Group

Chem Group is a leading distributor of industrial and specialty chemicals which is among the nation’s largest, ranking in the top 20 in North America and in the top 75 globally.

Chem Group operates a vast array of truck, barge, and rail terminals, and has numerous chemical distribution facilities throughout the US. Established in 1980, the Chem Group has longstanding partnerships with mainline producers and leading suppliers and services thousands of customers in nearly all major industrial market segments.

Chem Group has an excellent opportunity in the Midwest US region for a Surfactant and Organic Technical Manager. This will be a new strategic growth role at Chem Group with the primary responsibility being the technical support of our sales and commodity teams to grow new Surfactant and Organic business across the Chem Group footprint.

The Surfactants & Organics Technical Manager will serve as Chem Group’s technical liaison for surfactants and organics, working closely with the Chem Group purchasing and sales teams to grow YOY market share and ensure acceptable profit margins. This role will support both new business development and the optimization of existing accounts, ensuring profitable, sustainable growth across Chem Group’s distribution footprint or as allowed by supply partners.

The Surfactants & Organics Technical Manager will work closely with the sales team, providing technical expertise, making joint sales calls, and supporting the sales team as needed to close sales.

The Surfactants & Organics Technical Manager will also handle special projects assigned including but not limited to, creation of sales tools, conducting training, attending supplier training events, managing product database content, and customer communications. Anticipated travel is 50% within a multi‑state area.

• Implement product supply strategies working closely with the sales and purchasing teams.
• Partner with regional sales teams to identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities within approved supplier territories.
• Monitor market conditions, competitive landscape, and product trends to provide actionable insights and recommendations.
• Work cross‑functionally with purchasing, logistics, and regulatory teams to ensure supply reliability and product compliance.
• Provide technical expertise, application guidance, and training for customers and sales as needed.
• Support customers with troubleshooting, product analysis, chemical, and formulation recommendations.
• Collaborate with customers’ R&D and technical teams to identify new formulation opportunities or alternative solutions.
• Serve as a product knowledge expert to enhance Chem Group’s value proposition in technical selling.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, and stay current on supplier developments, product enhancements, and new technologies.
• Represent Chem Group at supplier meetings, training events, and trade shows as required.
• Ensure supplier objectives and Chem Group sales strategies remain aligned to mutual growth targets.
• Provide support for strategic accounts and assist with forecasting support.
• Generate supply and sales reports as needed for business analytics to help drive strategic decision‑making.
• Create sales tools, manage data/content and develop customer communications as needed.
• Maintain knowledge and familiarity with current or proposed regulations that affect products managed and how any of these regulations may impact Chem Group’s business be it with supply partners or customers.
• Conduct internal product training for the sales team and provide ongoing technical updates.
• Conduct and/or support external marketing events including trade shows and technical meetings.
• Manage special projects or other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific or technical discipline (required).

• 8 – 10 years of experience in chemical sales, product management, or technical service within the distribution or manufacturing sectors.
• Prior experience with…