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This position has closed. Ecolab removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Area Manager

Ecolab · Joliet, IL · $135,400–$203,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 11, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you won a strategic account from a competitor.

What they are checking: Experience converting competitive accounts, which the posting lists as a goal.

How do you regularly interact with customer decision makers at different levels, from operators to plant managers?

What they are checking: Account leadership across levels in large industrial customers.

Tell me about a sales target you missed and what you did about it.

What they are checking: Accountability and course correction in a results-driven role.

What would you do

A major refinery customer has an unplanned outage that they partly blame on water treatment. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Calm, technical problem solving and protecting a high-value relationship.

How do you sell a new technology to a customer who is risk-averse about plant changes?

What they are checking: Understanding that downstream plants fear risk and need proof before changing programs.

How do you manage your time in a flexible, independent role with accounts spread out?

What they are checking: Self-discipline in a field role without daily supervision.

About the work

How would you build a district plan to meet profit increase goals in the Downstream division?

What they are checking: Ability to plan revenue and profit growth across accounts, not only make individual sales.

What do you know about water treatment challenges in refineries and petrochemical plants?

What they are checking: Technical understanding of downstream customers, which earns credibility with plant engineers.

How do you prove the value of a system assurance program in dollars to a customer?

What they are checking: Ability to tie water treatment to energy, reliability and cost savings.

How do you work safely at refinery and chemical sites?

What they are checking: Commitment to site safety rules in high-hazard environments.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Ecolab from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Ecolab.

Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, has an opportunity available for an Area Manager to join our industry leading sales team.  You’ll be responsible for revenue and profit growth of programs and services in targeted accounts in the Downstream division . Using a consultative sales approach, you’ll build relationships with existing customers by executing system assurance programs that meet their key business needs.  With strong account leadership, you’ll also convert strategic competitive accounts and sell new technologies to current customers. What’s in it For You: • The opportunity to take on some of the world’s most meaningful challenges, helping customers achieve clean water, safe food, and healthy environments • The ability to make an impact with a company that is passionate about your career development • Paid training held in the field and at Nalco Water Headquarters in Naperville, IL • Enjoy a flexible, independent work environment • Receive a non-decaled company vehicle for business and personal use • Comprehensive benefits package starting day 1 of employment – medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), company paid pension, stock purchase plan, tuition reimbursement and more! What You Will Do: • Drive profit growth to meet defined district profit increase goals by developing and executing a district plan to maximize revenue. • Regularly interact across functional areas with senior management or executives to ensure objectives are met. • Generate sales forecasts and accurately predict revenue on a monthly basis. • Participate in strategic & tactical planning for the district by leveraging, allocating, and maximizing ROI for all tools and resources. • Construct business plans incorporating essential market drivers and all obtainable analytics, while monitoring and adjusting plan according to shifts, emerging conditions, and threats to the business. • Demonstrate strong leadership by, championing corporate initiatives, and by planning and leading District Meetings. • Provide continuous coaching and development team of sales engineers and technical service representatives to create and maintain value in the heavy industrial segment. • Ensure all new hires achieve training standards that lead to expertise in discussing products & services. • Take action quickly to address performance deficiencies.   Maintain documentation and apprise appropriate others of the status of performance issues • Support team and internal partners in identifying trends, understanding market conditions, and sharing expertise and knowledge. • Reinforce a clear vision for the team corresponding to strategic objectives. • Work closely with large, strategic, current and prospective customers to understand business needs. Position Details: • Candidate must reside within a commutable distance from Joliet, IL • Territory covers about a 150 mile radius of the surrounding area • <25% overnight travel required Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree • 5+ years leading and developing teams • 5+ years of successful technical sales or outside sales experience utilizing a consultative sales approach • Ability travel as required to support the district • Position requires a current and valid driver's license • No Immigration Sponsorship available for this opportunity Physical Requirements: • Drive a company vehicle as required to perform job duties (pre-employment and ongoing motor vehicle record checks will be performed to determine eligibility to drive a company vehicle) • Ability to perform essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation Preferred Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial), or Life Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, etc.); MBA preferred • 10+ years of successful technical sales or outside sales experience to include calling on multi-level plant or facilities management, and developing executive-level relationships • Extensive knowledge of boilers, cooling towers, and wastewater treatment systems or Paper processing skills highly preferred About Nalco Water: In a world with increasing water shortage and contamination challenges, Nalco Water, an Ecolab company, helps customers conserve more than 161 billion gallons of water each year. We work with customers across the world in the light industry (institutional, food & beverage, manufacturing, transportation, textile care, and global high tech) and heavy industry (chemical, downstream, paper, mining, power and primary metals industries) to reduce, reuse, and recycle their water while protecting their systems and equipment. Nalco Water provides the unique opportunity to work with a broad suite of technologies to deliver automated monitoring systems, data analysis and deep technical expertise to increase efficiency, sustainability and performance for our customers. Annual or Hourly Compensation Range The total Compensation range for this position is $135,400-$203,000 which includes base pay and target incentive based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws. Benefits Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits. If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here. Potential Customer Requirements Notice To meet customer requirements and comply with local or state regulations, applicants for certain customer-facing roles may need to: - Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.