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This position has closed. Ecolab removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Technical Sales Representative

Ecolab · Roxana, IL · $103,100–$154,700 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 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 converted a customer from a competitor.

What they are checking: Experience winning competitively held accounts, which the posting names as a goal.

Tell me about a sales goal you missed. What did you change?

What they are checking: Accountability and the ability to adjust approach.

How do you manage your time across a territory with many accounts?

What they are checking: Self-direction and prioritization in a field sales role.

What would you do

How would you explain the value of a water treatment program to a plant manager focused only on cost?

What they are checking: Consultative selling that ties water treatment to the customer's operating costs and risks.

A customer's system has a scaling problem and they blame our program. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Calm, data-driven problem solving that protects the relationship.

How do you introduce a new technology to a customer who is happy with what they have?

What they are checking: Ability to sell new technologies to current customers without damaging trust.

Safety is a big part of this job. How do you make sure you work safely at customer plants?

What they are checking: Commitment to safety at industrial sites, which the posting stresses.

About the work

What do you know about cooling tower or boiler water treatment, and how would you learn more?

What they are checking: Technical base or learning plan for Nalco Water's core programs.

How would you build a sales plan for an existing customer base to grow profit?

What they are checking: Account planning skill that targets profit growth, not just volume.

How do you run a system assurance program so the customer sees results?

What they are checking: Understanding of regular service, testing and reporting as part of the value.

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.

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The full job description

As published by Ecolab.

As the industry leader in water technology, we’re growing and need talented people like you to help us continue to protect the world’s most vital resource. Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, seeks a Technical Sales Representative to join its industry leading sales team.   You’ll be responsible for revenue and profit growth of programs and services in targeted accounts.   With a consultative sales approach, you’ll build relationships with existing customers by understanding their key business drivers and executing system assurance programs.   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: • Generate and execute sales plans in existing customer base and in assigned competitively-held accounts, to meet profit increase goals • Work closely with current and prospective customers to understand business needs and recommend continuous improvement and innovation plans that will maintain and grow sales • Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders in current and prospective customers, including plant or facility executives • Provide technical support to customers; identifying and resolving customer challenges, escalating as required • Engage in problem solving by performing system analysis, interpreting data and providing written recommendations to ensure customer operations are performing at optimal levels. • Actively sell and support Nalco Water innovations and technology in assigned customers to promote long-term business relationships with Nalco Water Position Details: • Candidate must reside within a commutable distance from Roxana, IL • This is an onsite role with a dedicated customer in our Downstream business • Targeted accounts are within the Downstream industries • 25% overnight travel required Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree • Three years of technical sales or field sales support experience • Position requires a current and valid driver's license • Immigration sponsorship is not available for this role 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.) • Water treatment or specialty chemical industry experience • Working knowledge of boilers, cooling towers, and wastewater treatment systems 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 $103,100-$154,700 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.