About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Sales for the Americas and APAC, the Sales Manager is responsible for managing sales and developing new business opportunities with both new and existing customers.  He or she will have a strong focus on identifying new business opportunities in terms of new customers and new applications. The individual will lead sustainable and profitable business development projects and activities in Lab Life Science business function supporting the communicated strategy.

The position is located in Mount Holly Springs or partly home-based. The focus for this role is on the America’s Geography, but not limited to US, as this business is global and connecting different geographies for the brand- out sourcing- commercialization for end products.

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities:

• Plan and manage sales against targets. Prepare and manage sales budgets by customer and opportunity
• Strong focus on developing new business at both existing and new customers
• Manage existing and new customers according to Ahlstrom sales processes, including writing reports and documenting actions related to customer visits and calls and daily utilization of CRM to manage customer interactions and opportunity pipeline
• Manage, build and maintain effective customer relationships at all levels in the customer organization to effectively uncover needs, seek new business opportunities and understand their business strategies 
• Drive use of our products for new applications, especially in the domain of Life Sciences, Rapid Tests kits, Specimen Collection and Bioprocess Filtration
• Gather market requirements on customers’ needs and organize marketing intelligence, analyze case history, participate in industry events and selected key accounts product definition meetings, analyze competition. Identify new product opportunities, launch innovation and new product development projects, in cooperation with Sales, Product Management and R&D
• Work with external third parties to assess partnerships and licensing opportunities
  Drive the continuous growth of the business as well as grow and retain existing customers by improving the relationships and presenting new solutions and services
• Cooperate with technical teams (Production, Quality, Product Development) to meet customer needs
• Identify opportunities for campaigns, services and solutions that will lead to an increase in sales and/or profitability
  He/she will guarantee a safe working culture at all levels within the organization

Critical Priorities

• Accelerate the growth of Life Science business, particularly for product categories Rapid Test Kits, Life Science, Specimen Collection and Bioprocess Applications

• Develop new customers, product applications and business partnerships to increase sales
• Increase Market intelligence regarding changes in the market related to new certifications/initiatives /consortiums/ outsourcing for manufacturers/strategies that can help these businesses to develop

Minimum Occupational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in sales and business development required.  Will consider lesser years of experience depending upon qualifications of candidate.
• Knowledge of paper or nonwoven materials and Life Sciences, Rapid Test Kit and Bioprocess filtration markets preferred.
• Track record of YoY increase in sales and business development 
  Experience with CRM.
• Strong sense of self-motivation and accountability with the ability to work effectively as part of a team and across a global network.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills with a Commercial Excellence background in selling to all levels and functions of the customer organization in a global, multi-cultural business environment.
• Goal-oriented, pro-active, well-organized, quick learner, strong networking and excellent communication and presentation skills. 
  International and cross-cultural experience.
• Willingness to travel domestically and occasional international travel as well.
• Meet all legal requirements to work in the USA.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Join our journey to create a more sustainable world with products and solutions that Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our three divisions, Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions.
We are deeply committed to building and maintaining safe and inclusive environment and culture, where everyone feels valued and respected. At Ahlstrom, we all have equal opportunities to belong and reach our full potential. 
Our net sales in 2024 amounted to EUR 3.0 billion and we employ some 6,800 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom.com