Technical Sales Representative (m/f/d) - Metal & Manufacturing Solutions

Maldaner, a long-established specialist in impregnation services and surface technology, is now part of Quaker Houghton, the global leader in industrial process fluids and engineering solutions. We bring more than 30 years of expertise to the automotive, foundry and industrial markets, delivering solutions that significantly enhance material performance, reliability and efficiency.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Sales Representative (m/f/d) to join our team and support customers across Germany and the BENELUX region.

This role is particularly suited to technically minded professionals looking to move into technical sales or to develop their commercial career within industrial manufacturing. Full training in vacuum impregnation technology will be provided.

Tasks

What will you do?

• Manage and grow a regional customer portfolio across North of the River Main (West, East & North Germany), including occasional travel to BENELUX (every 1–2 months).

• Conduct regular customer visits focusing on acquisition, technical consulting, and after-sales support.

• Identify declining purchasing trends, investigate causes, and develop corrective actions.

• Plan and schedule meetings with prospects and existing customers; engage prospective customers through outbound business development activities and needs assessments.

• Present Maldaner’s full offering in impregnation processes and related surface treatment technologies.

• Provide technical guidance to customers and prospects, working closely with internal technical experts.

• Prepare, coordinate, and follow up on customer quotations; manage offer negotiations independently.

• Organize sample impregnation activities, including:

• Collecting customer parts

• Supervising sample impregnation at Langenfeld, Leipzig, Altbach, or occasionally at customer sites

• Performing visual checks under UV light

• Attending subsequent leak tests

• Forward customer technical requests to internal teams and ensure timely resolution.

• Support complaint handling to minimize quality costs; escalate warranty topics when necessary.

• Conduct customer surveys and gather quality-related feedback.

• Maintain a detailed customer project list documenting all interactions, decisions, and next steps.

• Prepare quarterly summaries including market insights, competitor benchmarking, sales optimisation ideas, and event recommendations.

• Maintain customer data and monitor customer goods receipt via the ABAS ERP system.

• Cooperate closely with management and internal stakeholders to ensure excellent service delivery and continuous improvements.

Requirements

What do we look for?

Experience & Education

• Experience within manufacturing, metalworking, automotive suppliers, surface treatment, quality engineering, foundry operations, machining, industrial services, or similar environments.

• Experience in a technical customer-facing role is strongly preferred (technical sales, application engineering, technical service, process engineering, or similar).

• Ability to understand manufacturing processes and translate technical needs into practical solutions for customers.

• A degree in engineering, materials science, or a related field is valued but not required. We also welcome applicants with equivalent technical experience.

• Technical certifications or significant industry experience in conversion coatings, remanufacturing, anodizing, impregnation, or metalworking chemistry are highly regarded.

Languages

• German and English – both written and spoken – are essential.

• Location: Dusseldorf area, ideally within commutable distance to the Langenfeld site.

IT Literacy

• Advanced MS Office / O365 skills and the ability to learn new IT systems quickly.

Other Requirements

• Approximately 50% travel across customer sites and our job shops (Langenfeld, Leipzig, Altbach); the remaining time is mainly home-office based.

• Ability to visit our Langenfeld head office once a month.

• Strong communication, organisation, and technical problem-solving skills.

• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to work independently and manage your own schedule.

Soft Skills

• High safety consciousness – safety is foundational to our culture.

• Customer-centric and dedicated to meeting expectations.

• Analytical thinker and problem solver.

• Curious, open to change, and willing to try new approaches.

• Strong integrity and reliability—always following through on commitments.

• Results-driven with a proactive, hands-on mindset.

• Team-oriented, able to collaborate effectively with internal technical, operations, and commercial teams.

Benefits

What do we offer?

• Remote working arrangement (approx. 50% home office)

• Sales incentive program

• Company car for private and professional use

• 2 annual paid volunteering days

• Opportunities for career development within commercial, technical, and leadership tracks

• Access to QH University and continuous learning tools

• Strong wellbeing, mental health, inclusion, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs

About Us

We are the global leader in industrial process fluids present in 40+ countries continually improving and innovating so the world’s steel, aluminum, automotive, aircraft, machinery and industrial parts manufacturers can stay ahead in a changing world. Throughout our 100+ locations, our chemists, engineers and industry experts partner with our customers to continually improve their operations so they can run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next.

Our values: Live Safe, Exceed Customer Expectations, Drive Results, Embrace Diversity, Do Great Things Together, Act with Integrity.

Our core values embody who we are as a company, guide our decisions and inspire us. Our commitment to these values, in words and actions, builds a safer, stronger Quaker Houghton. They are the fundamental beliefs that guide our internal conduct and our relationship with the outside world.

Join the team and find your future!

EEO: Quaker Houghton is committed to equal employment opportunities and a workplace free of discrimination. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, gender identity, age, disability, ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. In line with the EU Pay Transparency Directive, the salary range for this role is disclosed before the interview to support transparency and consistency in our hiring process. Candidates will not be asked about their salary history. Our company uses a structured job level and salary band framework to support objective and consistent compensation decisions.