Description
Help manufacturers solve real production challenges.
SurfacePrep is looking for a commercially minded abrasives specialist who enjoys combining product knowledge, data, and hands-on customer support. You will partner with sales teams, customers, and suppliers to improve processes, identify growth opportunities, and recommend coated and bonded abrasive solutions that deliver measurable value. The candidate is ideally located in Michigan and is open to regional travel, with the ability and willingness to support customer and business needs across Wisconsin, and Illinois, as well.
What You’ll Do
- Serve as the industrial abrasives subject matter expert for customers and internal teams within your assigned territory.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers by understanding their applications, production challenges, and business objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve customer performance through the recommendation of abrasive products, process improvements, and cost-saving solutions.
- Conduct on-site evaluations, product demonstrations, and trials to validate performance and support implementation of recommended solutions.
- Provide technical guidance and troubleshooting assistance related to abrasive products, surface preparation processes, and finishing applications.
- Partner with Sales Representatives to uncover new business opportunities, grow existing accounts, and support strategic customer initiatives.
- Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners to stay informed on new products, technologies, and industry best practices.
- Deliver product training and technical education to customers and internal team members as needed.
- Prepare and present recommendations, trial results, and value-based solutions to customers.
- Track customer activity, project opportunities, and territory development efforts using company CRM and reporting tools.
- Support the successful launch and adoption of new products and technologies within the market.
- Travel throughout the assigned territory to provide hands-on customer support and strengthen business relationships.
Product Areas You’ll Support
- Coated abrasives
- Coated-abrasive equipment accessories
- Hand tools
- Portable bonded abrasives
- Band saw blades and equipment
- Air and electric tools
- Tapes and adhesives
Requirements
- Five or more years of relevant experience in industrial sales, product management, purchasing, pricing, abrasives, tooling, or a related field. A bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related area is welcomed but equivalent experience is also valued.
- Working knowledge of coated and bonded abrasives, industrial applications, or manufacturing processes.
- Experience using business intelligence or sales analytics to turn data into practical account and product strategies.
- A collaborative approach and the ability to build productive relationships across sales, operations, suppliers, and customers.
- Confidence working independently, organizing priorities, and moving projects from idea to execution.
- Strong customer service and problem-solving skills, with an interest in helping customers improve performance and efficiency.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Experience with SharePoint, White Cup, or another CRM/BI platform is helpful.
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout the region to support customers and sales teams.
Why Join SurfacePrep?
You will have the opportunity to make a visible impact by connecting technical product expertise with customer needs and business growth. This role offers independence, variety, direct customer interaction, and the support of a broad network of sales, operations, and supplier partners.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Company Paid Short-Term Disability
- Company Paid Long-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
About SurfacePrep
Founded in 1956, SurfacePrep provides surface enhancement solutions through more than 60 facilities across the United States, Canada, and Europe. We combine industry-leading equipment, consumables, technical expertise, and hands-on support to help manufacturers improve quality, efficiency, and performance across a wide range of applications.
Skills Required
- Five or more years of relevant experience in industrial sales, product management, purchasing, pricing, abrasives, tooling, or a related field.
- Working knowledge of coated and bonded abrasives, industrial applications, or manufacturing processes.
- Experience using business intelligence or sales analytics to develop account and product strategies.
- Ability to build productive relationships across sales, operations, suppliers, and customers.
- Ability to work independently, organize priorities, and move projects from idea to execution.
- Strong customer service and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout the assigned region.
- Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related area.
- Experience with SharePoint, White Cup, or another CRM/BI platform.
What We Do
SurfacePrep is a North American distributor of surface enhancement solutions, supplying abrasive blasting media, specialty ceramics, surface finishing equipment, PPE and related parts. With dozens of facilities and process development labs across the U.S., Canada and the U.K., SurfacePrep serves aerospace, medical, transportation and general industrial manufacturers with technical consulting, production services and finishing centers to improve product quality and productivity.
