Budnick Converting ^®

Budnick Converting, Inc., headquartered in Columbia, IL (in the St. Louis, MO metropolitan area), is a privately held and female owned corporation. Budnick’s primary focus is specialty converting of adhesive coated tapes and foams.  Budnick remains on the leading edge of adhesive tape converting technology; currently utilizing 70+ cutting, slitting, laminating, printing and spooling machines to convert materials into labor saving customized parts.  For more information on Budnick, please visit our website at www.budnick.com.

POSITION PURPOSE:
We’re looking for a driven, relationship-focused Outside Sales Representative to join our growing team in the pressure-sensitive adhesive converting industry. You’ll be responsible for building and expanding B2B relationships with industrial manufacturers and distributors throughout the Midwest territory, including portions of IL, WI, and KY. This remote position is ideal for someone based in the Chicago or Milwaukee area with a passion for uncovering new opportunities and solving customer challenges.

You’ll spend most of your time out in the field—meeting customers face-to-face, understanding their production needs, and delivering innovative adhesive and material solutions. Expect about 80% customer-facing activity with 30–40% overnight travel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Develop and grow strong customer relationships by regularly visiting accounts, identifying new opportunities, and closing business in your territory. Present customized solutions and proposals backed by technical expertise and a deep understanding of customer challenges.
2. Partner cross-functionally with purchasing, marketing, estimating, credit, and operations teams to deliver seamless customer experiences.
3. Prepare quotes and proposals through company systems, collaborating with estimators to match materials and applications to customers’ performance and cost goals.
4. Work closely with assigned team members—Estimator, Account Manager, and Business Development Representative—to manage the sales process from prospecting to closing, ensuring strong communication and customer satisfaction every step of the way.
5. Provide ongoing technical consultation and product insights that help customers increase efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize material performance.
6. Maintain detailed customer records, call reports, and opportunity tracking in company CRM systems.
7. Build strategic relationships with key suppliers and vendors to stay current on material innovations and market trends.
8. Stock and share product samples, demos, and technical materials to showcase product performance and spark new interest with customers.
9. Follow up on company-generated and self-sourced leads using proactive networking—through trade shows, professional associations, and targeted digital outreach.
10. Complete required reporting, expense tracking, and account planning documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
11. Uphold all safety and company operational standards while representing the company professionally in all interactions.
12. Contribute to team strategy discussions, sharing feedback from the field to help shape long-term business growth plans.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Communicate promptly with internal teams regarding production, quality, or scheduling issues to ensure customer satisfaction and timely delivery.
2. Support team initiatives and projects as assigned by management, maintaining flexibility in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

Skills:

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with a consultative sales approach.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Solid technical aptitude and ability to learn product specifications quickly.

Abilities:

• Engage customers with confidence, integrity, and professionalism.
• Adapt to shifting priorities and maintain composure under pressure.
• Apply creative thinking to solve customer challenges and deliver results.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Coursework in sales or adhesives/materials science a plus.

Experience:

• 3+ years of outside sales, key account management, or business development experience, ideally in industrial manufacturing or materials-related markets.
• Experience with pressure-sensitive adhesives, tapes, or flexible materials is highly preferred.

Driving Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required. Proof of current auto insurance must be provided.

BENEFITS:

We offer a competitive compensation package and a full suite of employee benefits, including:

• Base salary ($75,000 - $100,000/yr) paid monthly + variable commission program
• 100% company-paid life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability
• Shared-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage (we pay 99% of employee premiums on the basic plan)
• Generous paid vacation and holidays
• 401(k) with company match (25% of the first 6% contributed)
• Monthly reimbursement for home office expenses, cell phone, and internet
• Travel reimbursement for mileage, gas, meals, lodging, and related costs
• Comprehensive support for your professional growth and success

Join a company where innovation, customer service, and long-term relationships drive everything we do. If you’re passionate about technical sales, thrive on building partnerships, and want to represent an industry leader in custom adhesive conversion—we want to meet you!

Interested Candidates should apply on-line at www.budnick.com, under About Us - Careers. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION.  THEY ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL JOB DUTIES PERFORMED BY THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

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Location:
340 Parkway Drive
Columbia, IL 62236

Hours:
M-F 8am - 4:30pm CST