Director of Sales; Player-Coach

Industrial Manufacturing | Safety Products | Distribution Build the Next Chapter of a 75-Year Success Story

Our client is a well-established industrial manufacturer with more than 75 years of history serving customers across North America.

The company designs and manufactures specialized industrial safety and workplace protection products used by manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, metalworking operations, and industrial facilities. Their solutions help create safer, more productive work environments across a wide range of industries.

After decades of success, the company is entering an exciting new phase of growth and is seeking a hands-on Director of Sales to help lead the next chapter.

This is a rare opportunity for a sales leader who enjoys building teams, improving processes, creating accountability, and driving measurable business results.

This is not a role for someone who wants to manage from the sidelines.

We are looking for a true player-coach who leads from the front.

The Director of Sales will assume responsibility for the overall performance of the sales organization, including:

• Revenue growth
• Sales team leadership
• Forecasting and KPI accountability
• Distributor and channel partner relationships

This individual will work closely with executive leadership and will have significant influence over the future growth of the business.

• Coach, mentor, and develop sales personnel
• Establish accountability around prospecting, follow-up, and revenue-generating activities
• Conduct regular pipeline reviews and sales meetings
• Implement performance metrics and sales scorecards
• Recruit, onboard, and develop future sales talent
• Create a culture of urgency, accountability, and execution

• Personally maintain and grow key customer relationships
• Develop new business opportunities across manufacturing and industrial markets
  
  Expand relationships with distributors and channel partners
• Build and execute strategic account plans
• Identify new markets and growth opportunities
• Partner with leadership to achieve aggressive growth objectives
• Develop and implement scalable sales processes
• Improve CRM adoption and forecasting accuracy
• Refine KPI reporting and sales analytics
• Improve lead response times and follow-up effectiveness
• Oversee proposal development and pricing strategy
• Review sales performance and proactively address gaps

• 5+ years of successful B2B sales experience
• 2+ years of sales leadership or player-coach management experience
• Proven track record of generating new business and exceeding quota
• Experience leading sales teams and improving performance
• Strong prospecting, coaching, and closing skills
• CRM proficiency and sales process discipline
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities

• Manufacturing, industrial, safety products, industrial distribution, automation, construction products, or related experience
• Experience selling through distributors and channel partners
• Experience managing pricing, proposals, or commercial negotiations
• Experience implementing sales processes and KPI reporting

5% commission on personally generated revenue beginning with dollar one invoiced.

The Director of Sales is eligible for quarterly growth bonuses based on company-wide revenue growth versus the immediately preceding quarter.

0.00% - 2.99% Growth:
No Bonus

3.00% - 5.99% Growth: $2,500 Bonus

6.00% - 8.99% Growth: $5,000 Bonus

9.00% - 11.99% Growth: $7,500 Bonus

12.00%+ Growth: $10,000 Bonus

Quarterly bonuses are paid on the final business day of the month immediately following the completed quarter.

Successful candidates can realistically achieve total annual earnings of $160,000 - $220,000+ through a combination of base salary, commissions, and growth incentives.

• Medical Benefits
• 401(k)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays

This is an onsite leadership position located in the Chicago metropolitan area. Are you located in the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois (Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park)? If so, we want to hear from you.

Candidates should reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the office.