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About this role
District Sales Manager
Mechanical Power Transmission | Industrial Gear Reducers & Gearmotors
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced, results-driven District Sales Manager to drive profitable growth through a combination of direct OEM account management and independent distributor/channel partner development. The successful candidate will be responsible for expanding market share, developing strategic customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and executing regional sales strategies.
This position requires a strong technical sales background, excellent relationship-building skills, and experience selling industrial gear reducers, gearmotors, power transmission components, or similar industrial products.
Primary Responsibilities
- OEM Business Development
- Develop and execute regional sales strategies focused on OEM customers.
- Identify and secure new OEM opportunities in key industrial markets.
- Manage strategic OEM accounts from concept through production.
- Work closely with engineering teams to develop application-specific solutions.
- Lead commercial negotiations including pricing, contracts, and long-term supply agreements.
- Maintain regular contact with engineering, purchasing, operations, and executive management at customer locations.
- Manage project pipelines and forecast future production opportunities.
- Channel Partner Management
- Develop and strengthen relationships with industrial distributors and manufacturer representatives.
- Increase distributor engagement through joint sales calls, product training, and business planning.
- Identify and recruit new channel partners where market coverage is insufficient.
- Support distributors with application engineering assistance and competitive conversions.
- Establish annual growth objectives with key partners.
- Monitor distributor inventory, sales performance, and market penetration.
- Business Development
- Identify opportunities to convert competitive installed equipment.
- Develop market penetration strategies for key industries including:
- Material Handling
- Food & Beverage
- Packaging
- Aggregate & Mining
- Water & Wastewater
- Metals
- Automotive
- Forestry
- Bulk Material Handling
- General Manufacturing
- Generate new business through prospecting, networking, trade shows, and customer visits.
- Customer Relationship Management
- Build long-term strategic relationships with OEM decision makers.
- Become the trusted technical and commercial advisor within assigned accounts.
- Resolve customer issues by coordinating with engineering, customer service, operations, and quality.
- Deliver outstanding customer experience throughout the sales cycle.
- Technical Sales Support
- Understand customer applications and recommend appropriate gearbox, gearmotor, and drive solutions.
- Support sizing, product selection, and competitive replacement opportunities.
- Coordinate with applications engineering on custom solutions.
- Present technical product training to customers and channel partners.
- Sales Planning & Reporting
- Develop annual territory business plans.
- Maintain accurate opportunity pipeline using CRM.
- Prepare monthly sales forecasts.
- Analyze competitive activity and market trends.
- Provide regular reports on territory performance and strategic initiatives.
Requirements
Qualifications
- Desired
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred.
- 5–10+ years of industrial B2B sales experience.
- Proven success selling through both OEMs and industrial distribution.
- Experience within one or more of the following:
- Industrial Gear Reducers
- Gearmotors
- Mechanical Power Transmission
- Electric Motors
- Motion Control
- Industrial Automation
- Bearings
- Couplings
- Conveying Equipment
- Industrial Drives
- Strong understanding of industrial manufacturing processes.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to travel approximately 50–70% throughout assigned territory.
- Preferred Experience
- Experience with gearbox sizing and application engineering.
- Existing relationships with OEM manufacturers and industrial distributors.
- Experience selling engineered industrial products.
- Familiarity with CRM systems such as Zoho, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or HubSpot.
- Core Competencies
- Strategic Account Management
- OEM Sales
- Distributor Development
- Territory Management
- Consultative Selling
- Business Development
- Negotiation
- Technical Aptitude
- Forecasting
- Market Analysis
- Relationship Building
- Presentation Skills
- Time Management
- Problem Solving
- Performance Metrics
- Success in this role will be measured by:
- Annual sales growth
- Gross margin performance
- New OEM account acquisition
- Distributor sales growth
- New product adoption
- Opportunity pipeline development
- Customer retention
- Territory market share growth
- CRM utilization and reporting quality
Benefits
- Competitive base salary plus uncapped incentive compensation
- Company vehicle or vehicle allowance
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Professional development and technical training
- Opportunities for career advancement within a growing industrial organization