At Grand River Rubber & Plastics, our sales team plays a vital role in connecting customer needs with our manufacturing expertise and few people embody that commitment more than Kellie West. Kellie brings responsiveness, collaboration, and deep industry knowledge to every interaction. Get to know Kellie, her role, and what makes her an essential part of the sales team.
Kellie began her career in plastics sales before moving into sales and marketing in the fluid transfer industry. After a brief shift into the leather industry, she found her way to Grand River Rubber & Plastics and back to materials and applications she already knew well. Her entire career has been rooted in customer service, marketing, and sales, giving her a deep understanding of the “voice of the customer” and how to represent the Grand River brand with integrity.
Kellie’s workday is a blend of customer interaction, quoting, price updates, order status checks, and reviewing detailed information. But her favorite parts? She loves the marketing side of her role which consists of content creation and website improvements as well as organizing and analyzing sales data. She also enjoys quoting because it lets her collaborate with multiple GRRP departments to find solutions that truly meet customer needs.
When asked what makes the sales department stand out, Kellie points to three things: responsiveness, availability, and knowledge. She credits the team’s ability to work seamlessly with other departments (production, scheduling, shipping) as a major part of delivering a smooth customer experience. “Keeping an open dialogue is really what helps us meet customer needs,” she says. “Good communication is everything.”
Kellie shares that her greatest mentors haven’t come from one single person, but from everyone she’s worked with. “There’s always something I don’t know that someone else does,” she says. “I’ve learned from so many people who were willing to share what they know.” That mindset has shaped her into a well-rounded sales professional known for being thoughtful, detail-oriented, and always ready to dig into a challenge.
Customers often praise Kellie and the team for their responsiveness and high-level service, especially when it comes to accommodating special requests or recommending alternatives.
For unique or complex needs, Kellie focuses on collecting all the details consisting of materials, dimensions, ASTM requirements, chemical or ozone resistance, so she can communicate clearly not only with customers, but also with GRRP’s internal teams and suppliers. Right now, Kellie keeps a close eye on supply chain stability, market conditions, and lead times, all critical factors for helping customers plan effectively.
Kellie’s deep expertise, commitment to communication, and willingness to go the extra mile represents the high standards of the sales team. Her ability to connect customer needs with practical solutions helps drive success every day. We’re proud to spotlight Kellie and appreciate the important role she plays in supporting both our customers and our internal teams.