Thermoplastic Sales Engineer

Vartega produces competitively priced recycled carbon fiber with excellent mechanical properties. Vartega’s EasyFeed carbon fiber bundles are used as a sustainable drop-in replacement to virgin carbon fiber in thermoplastic applications for injection molding and additive manufacturing. The demand for these materials is growing rapidly and to meet the needs of increased adoption, Vartega is hiring a Thermoplastic Sales Engineer to be the primary point of contact to manage customer relationships. The successful candidate will complement the company’s established culture and possess the skills required to execute the company’s sales strategy.

The Thermoplastic Sales Engineer will report to the Chief Commercial Officer.  The role will be based at Vartega’s HQ in Denver, CO or remote in close proximity to key customer clusters.  The Thermoplastic Sales Engineer will pursue opportunities for carbon fiber and thermoplastic sales across a broad range of industries (such as additive manufacturing, sporting goods, automotive, motorsports, and consumer goods) and customer types.  Empowered with marketing collateral, a travel budget, and the support of a strong technical team, the Thermoplastic Sales Engineer will be the face to the customer to bring in and nurture new carbon fiber and thermoplastic sales opportunities.

The role will involve: 

• Solving problems - sales is providing a product or service to address a need and/or solve a customer’s problem.

• Selling! Your job is to identify and qualify leads, develop sales opportunities, work them through the pipeline, and close deals.

• Owning the customer relationship. Vartega’s customers are valued partners and collaborators. We adhere to our core values as we support our customers.

• Understanding the different sales processes for early adopter customers versus complex multinational corporations.

• Executing a sales workflow for various customer types depending on typical sales cycles.

• Managing a CRM (we use Copper) and leveraging this tool to work opportunities through the sales process to an order.

• Setting SMART sales goals/targets with the help of Company leadership and working tirelessly to achieve those goals.

• Sales forecasting on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

• Reporting progress towards sales goals via weekly written sales summaries and during weekly sales meetings.

• Participating in weekly production planning calls to help the production team forecast future production needs

• Communicating with the Vartega technical team to solicit help in assisting customers with application development.

• Lead generation via cold calling, networking, trade show attendance, and participation in industry groups such as IACMI, ACMA, and SAMPE.

• Preparing for, participating in, and/or exhibiting at twelve or more trade shows/conferences per year.

• Preparing for and participating in Industry Tech Days at key customer facilities.

• Organizing and presenting lunch-and-learns for key customers.

• Frequent onsite customer visits to understand customer needs and develop new project opportunities.

• Working through the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) with various stakeholders in the automotive supply chain.

• Working with Strategic Partners to pursue new leads in international markets.

• Engaging with the vision, mission, and values of Vartega and emulating this culture within the company’s work environment.

• Supporting and engaging in the personal and professional development of the company’s employees through training on sales processes and strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field

• 5+ years of thermoplastic sales experience

• Hungry

• Self-motivated and not easily distracted

• Persistent

• Attentive to detail and well organized

• Agile and able to adapt to changing circumstances

• Efficient and effective at communication and documentation especially when working remote

• Proficient in Excel, Word and other Microsoft products.

• Experience using Google Workspace.

Preferred Education and Skills

• MBA or advanced technical degree

• 10+ years of thermoplastic sales experience

• Broad technical knowledge of advanced materials including thermoplastics and carbon fiber, as well as their processing platforms and applications

• Basic understanding of thermoplastic compounding

• Sales experience in technical fibers, composites, or other advanced materials

• Sales experience in automotive, aerospace, or sporting goods industries

• History of successfully navigating new materials through the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

• Strong network of key decision makers (vehicle programs, R&D, technical & procurement) at leading US Automotive OEMs and suppliers

• Marketing and brand promotion including social media marketing and minor website maintenance

• Public relations including preparation and distribution of press releases

Travel

• 25-50%

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits

• AD&D, short and long term disability

• Matching 401(k)

• Performance incentives

• Equity incentive package

• Paid time off

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.