Description

Flexsys is a global supplier of rubber chemicals and solutions including insoluble sulfur, anti-degradants, and stabilizers. The company’s singular focus is on delivering better solutions for manufacturers of tires and other rubber products that enhance product performance, optimize production efficiency, and ensure supply chain success. As the largest manufacturer of tire-industry additives in the world, and a newly independent entity, Flexsys brings a track record of innovation, quality, specialized expertise, a highly collaborative approach, and a commitment to growth – working together with our customers as a valuable partner, helping to meet their critical objectives. 

Tire Additives Technology Division is searching for an Application Development Representative to join the Tire Additives Technology team in the Americas. Preferably, the selected individual will be based out of the office in Akron, OH. The AD Representative will work closely with global research & development, product management and sales teams to support the current business and bring new applications for existing and new products to the market. 

 The AD Representative will: 

• Conduct regular in-person visits and maintain contacts with the technical management staff at key customer accounts to track & capture unmet needs & implement co-developed account and product strategies.
• Act as the initial customer contact point on market insight, customer discovery, product stewardship issues seeking support from the global Technical, Product Management and Sales groups as necessary.
• Combine knowledge of market trends, broad market understanding and customer unmet needs to investigate and propose potential new areas of business, either directly in or adjacent to the tire manufacturing space.
• Provide product & application technical information/recommendations about Flexsys tire additive products (current and new) to tire compounders and plant engineers.
• Through discovery calls identify customer unmet needs, understand customer requirements and define fitness-for-use criteria for specific tire/rubber applications. Translate the fitness-for-use criteria to fundamental materials/chemicals characteristics, followed by product recommendations using knowledge of structure-processing-property-performance understandings.
• Lead technical projects through effective design of compounding studies, coordinate activities within technology, marketing and sales for project planning, milestone and deliverables. and support the development and presentation of marketing material to customers.
• Lead and/or provide technical support to market research efforts in support of strategic initiatives.
• Seek, gather & distribute market intelligence, contribute to the global technical knowledge-base through sharing of relevant learning & experience via Call Reports.
• Monitor and communicate developments relating to our existing & potential customer base and competitive landscape.
• Keep abreast of regulatory changes & their impact on relevant markets. 
• Foster dialogue with industry related groups and government organizations. 

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in materials or polymer science, chemistry, chemical/materials engineering, rubber technology or related disciplines required.
• Master’s/PhD or MBA preferred. 

Experience/Skills:

• Experience in the tire industry is required. Must be able to discover customer needs through discussion with customers technical/ manufacturing organizations, clearly recommend/implement technology/product solutions. 5 years of experience and understanding of standard and evolving/competing raw materials, formulation, compounding, mixing & processing of various rubber/tire compounds preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Second Languages: Fluency or conversational skills in Spanish or Portuguese is a plus.
• Culturally aware and comfortable with international travel 
• A team player with initiative, good analytical and trouble-shooting skills, able to work under minimum supervision.
• Proven project leadership with the ability to influence without authority on cross-functional and cross-regional teams.

Other Details:

• 10-25% Travel is required for this position.
• The candidate would ideally be based out of the Akron office, but other locations within the US would be considered.
• Reports into the Application Development and Technical Service Manager for EU, Americas and India.