What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sales Manager - Industrial Machinery Solutions & Capital Equipment position at Kienbaum?
A globally recognized leader in advanced engineering solutions specializing in resistance welding systems and high-precision manufacturing equipment seeks an experienced Sales Manager for its North American operations. This organization provides cutting-edge technologies that significantly enhance productivity, efficiency, and reliability for customers across industries such as construction, transportation, and industrial manufacturing.
With over a century of expertise, our client is renowned worldwide for innovation, precision, and exceptional quality in plant engineering. Headquartered in Europe, the company operates globally with a strong international presence, including a dedicated team based in Rockford, Illinois. The North American subsidiary generates significant revenue, maintains a leading market position, and serves a robust customer base across North America.
This impactful role offers the successful candidate a unique opportunity to drive strategic growth, manage critical client relationships, and actively contribute to expanding market share by capitalizing on reshoring trends and rising demand for automated manufacturing solutions. The role promises substantial growth potential, with future opportunities to advance into broader leadership positions.
Your Responsibilities:
- Sales Growth & Profitability: Lead capital equipment sales within the Central and Midwest U.S. territories, achieving revenue targets through effective new business development and sustained client relationship management
- Strategic Sales Planning & Execution: Develop and implement strategic plans designed to identify and secure new business opportunities, aligning closely with broader corporate objectives
- Consultative Solution Selling: Employ a consultative, solution-oriented sales approach to promote high-value capital equipment, effectively communicating technical advantages and return-on-investment to clients
- Customer Relationship Management: Strengthen and expand long-term client relationships, ensuring high customer satisfaction through regular engagement, site visits, and proactive support.
- Service & After-Sales Collaboration: Coordinate with after-sales and service teams to maximize customer satisfaction, identifying opportunities for service revenue growth through proactive client engagement and technical support
- Market Expansion & Brand Representation: Represent the company at industry events and trade fairs, actively seeking new market segments, tracking emerging industry trends, and enhancing brand visibility
- Technical & Commercial Alignment: Maintain seamless collaboration with European headquarters, aligning technical and commercial activities, and contributing valuable market insights to support continuous product and process improvement
- Sales Reporting & Budget Management: Prepare and manage sales budgets, deliver accurate sales forecasts, and utilize CRM systems effectively for sales tracking, customer management, and strategic reporting
- Future Growth & Leadership: Demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, with the potential to evolve into broader roles involving strategic oversight and expanded responsibilities
Your Profile:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Industrial Sales, or related fields required; a strong technical background preferred
- Proven track record in capital equipment sales, ideally within welding technology, automation solutions, or related industrial machinery sectors
- Demonstrable success in consultative, solution-based sales environments with long sales cycles (6-12 months), particularly to B2B industrial clients
- Strong technical understanding with the capability to clearly articulate complex equipment benefits and technical specifications
- Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels
- Strategic thinker with business acumen aligned with corporate growth strategies and revenue objectives
- Highly independent, motivated self-starter, comfortable managing extensive regional travel (approximately 50%) throughout the assigned territory
- Proficiency with CRM tools such as Salesforce preferred
- Willingness to work a hybrid schedule based in Rockford, Illinois, with occasional international travel for training and collaboration
This role offers a competitive total rewards package, including a strong base salary, performance-based incentives, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and substantial professional growth opportunities. Total compensation will reflect individual experience, capabilities, and market competitiveness.
About Kienbaum:
Kienbaum is a prominent consultancy firm, recognized as a leader in Europe, where it holds a market-leading position in the search and selection of skilled professionals and executives. Our comprehensive portfolio encompasses Executive Search, Assessment and Succession, Leadership Development, Compensation and Benefits, as well as Organizational Development Consulting. With a presence in 15 countries, Kienbaum operates through 26 offices worldwide, employing over 600 individuals.