Sales and Technical Engineer - Polymers

Job Description:

Technical Sales - Specialty Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) family products

Position: Technical Sales Engineer Specialty Thermoplastic Elastomers

Location: Pune, Maharashtra - Automotive Sector, India

Position Overview

This role combines technical expertise with sales acumen to drive business growth for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) family products in the automotive industry. The Technical Sales Engineer will serve as a key point of contact between the company and automotive OEMs, TIER I and TIER II suppliers, and contract manufacturers (molders). This position requires a deep understanding of TPE family compounds, their automotive applications, and the ability to translate technical specifications into compelling sales propositions for customers in the Pune automotive cluster and broader regions.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Relationship Management:

- Identify, develop, and maintain long-term relationships with automotive OEMs, TIER I and TIER II suppliers, and contract manufacturers (molders) across the Pune region and designated territories
- Build and maintain good rapport with existing clients while expanding customer base to high-value accounts and new opportunities- Act as the primary technical point of contact for customer inquiries, technical discussions, and troubleshooting support- Document and monitor customer interactions, requirements, and activities in CRM systems

Sales and Business Development:

- Execute sales activities and implement initiatives to achieve yearly sales budgets and quarterly targets
- Convert leads into revenue opportunities through systematic selling and consultative approach- Develop customized TPE solutions aligned with customer technical requirements and specifications- Prepare accurate and detailed sales quotations, technical proposals, and contracts- Negotiate pricing, delivery terms, and contract conditions to meet both customer and company objectives- Manage customer accounts and collections to minimize financial risks and maintain healthy DSO (Days Sales Outstanding)

Technical Support and Product Knowledge:

- Provide pre-sales technical assistance, product education, and feasibility studies for customer applications
- Conduct product demonstrations and deliver compelling technical presentations showcasing TPE compound properties and benefits- Explain TPE specifications including mechanical properties, processing capabilities, cost advantages, and technical advantages over imported alternatives- Support customers during injection molding trials and production troubleshooting with on-site/off-site technical assistance- Assist in designing custom-made TPE formulations tailored to specific automotive applications- Stay updated on TPE market trends, competitor offerings, and emerging automotive technologies including electric vehicle requirements

Market Intelligence and Reporting:

- Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify market trends and opportunities
- Monitor competitor products, pricing, and import costs relevant to customer applications- Identify potential products, buying volumes, and customer requirements through systematic market analysis- Generate comprehensive sales reports, pipeline data, and regular updates to management- Provide actionable feedback and market insights to product development, marketing, and management teams- Prepare monthly/quarterly sales reports analyzing performance against targets and identifying improvement areas

Coordination and Training:

- Coordinate with internal sales, accounts, logistics, and technical teams to ensure smooth delivery and customer satisfaction
- Develop and deliver technical training to customers on product usage, processing, and maintenance- Coach and train other sales team members on TPE technical properties and sales strategies- Participate in industry trade shows, exhibitions, and marketing events to promote products- Attend sales meetings, training sessions, and industry conferences for continuous professional development

Required Qualifications:

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related engineering discipline
- Alternatively: B.Sc. in Polymers, Chemistry or related scientific field with strong sales background

Experience:

- Minimum 3-5 years of B2B technical sales experience, preferably in specialty materials, polymers, chemicals, rubber, or automotive components
- Proven experience in systematic selling with customer-facing technical responsibilities- Demonstrated background in industrial or automotive sector sales is strongly preferred- Track record of achieving sales targets and building strong customer relationships

Technical Knowledge:

- Strong understanding of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) family, engineering plastics, and their properties
- Knowledge of automotive applications, including seals, gaskets, weather strips, cable boots, interior trim, and EV components- Familiarity with injection molding, extrusion, and other processing technologies for TPE compounds- Understanding of material selection criteria, technical specifications (Shore hardness, tensile strength, elongation, compression set, etc.)- Knowledge of automotive manufacturing standards, OEM requirements, and quality specifications

Required Skills and Competencies:

Technical Skills :

- Deep technical background with ability to understand complex engineering concepts and material properties
- Proficiency in explaining technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with ability to identify customer needs and propose innovative solutions- Technical calculation and quotation preparation capabilities- Product knowledge and ability to conduct technical feasibility studies

Sales and Business Skills :

- Excellent sales skills with proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets
- Strong negotiation and contract management capabilities- Business development and account management expertise- Ability to convert leads into revenue and manage full sales cycles- Pipeline management and forecasting skills- Key account management experience

Communication and Interpersonal Skills :

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Hindi/local language proficiency is beneficial
- Strong presentation skills with ability to deliver compelling technical demonstrations- Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders- Customer service orientation and commitment to client satisfaction- Ability to liaise effectively between customers and internal technical/engineering teams

Personal Attributes :

- Self-motivated, result-oriented, and highly organized individual
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within team environment- Willingness to travel frequently (estimated 50-70% of working time) to meet customers, attend meetings, and participate in trade shows- Strong integrity, reliability, and professional conduct- Adaptability and ability to manage dynamic customer requirements- Positive attitude with commitment to continuous learning

Technical Tools :

- Proficiency with CRM and sales management software/tools
- Strong Excel and data analysis capabilities for reporting and analysis- Ability to learn and work with technical documentation

Preferred Qualifications :

- Background in automotive supplier sales or rubber/elastomers industry
- Knowledge of Indian automotive manufacturing landscape and TIER 1/TIER 2 supplier networks- Experience with electric vehicle (EV) material requirements and applications- Familiarity with multi-language communication capabilities- MBA or advanced degree in Sales/Business Administration- Knowledge of supply chain and logistics in automotive sector- Experience with technical content creation, whitepapers, or case studies

Role Requirements and Working Conditions :

Travel and Location :

- Extensive travel required (50-70% of time) to customer locations across Pune automotive cluster
- Based in Pune, Maharashtra with flexibility to operate from customer locations or branch offices- Occasional participation in industry trade shows and conferences (national and regional level)

Work Environment :

- Fast-paced, target-driven environment focused on revenue generation and customer satisfaction
- Collaboration with cross-functional teams including engineering, production, marketing, and customer support- Interaction with senior management of automotive customer organizations- Professional communication with C-suite executives and technical teams

Reporting Structure :

- Reports directly to Regional Sales Manager or Head of Sales & Marketing
- Supports broader sales organization and marketing team initiatives

Compensation and Benefits :

Salary Range :

- 6 - 10lakhs per annum depending on experience and qualifications

Benefits Typically Include :

- Health and medical insurance for employee and family
- Provident Fund and gratuity benefits- Performance-based bonus/incentives- Travel and accommodation allowances for field activities- Cell phone and internet reimbursement- Paid leave and sick leave benefits- Professional development and training allowances- Industry event participation support

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) :

- Monthly/quarterly sales revenue against target (Conversion of leads to revenue)
- Sales pipeline development and quarterly forecast accuracy- Customer acquisition and retention metrics- Collection efficiency and DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) management- Customer satisfaction and feedback scores- Market penetration in assigned territories- Technical proposal and presentation effectiveness- On-time delivery and after-sales support satisfaction

Why This Role is Strategic :

The Indian thermoplastic elastomers market is expected to grow at 11.8% CAGR through 2030, reaching USD 2.37 billion, with automotive being the largest segment (44.2% of market share). Electric vehicle adoption and lightweight material requirements are creating significant opportunities. Technical Sales Engineers are critical to capturing this growth by bridging technical expertise with customer relationship management in the competitive, relationship-driven Indian automotive supply ecosystem.

Application Requirements :

Candidates should submit:

- Complete resume highlighting technical sales experience and automotive industry background
- Cover letter demonstrating understanding of TPE and automotive applications- Current and expected CTC- Notice period and availability for joining- References from previous employers or customers