Sales Manager

Naperville, IL (Field-Based / Travel Required)

MUST live in the Chicago area

A well-established, century-old manufacturer of HVAC components is looking for a relationship-driven Outside Sales Representative to manage and grow a defined territory that includes both domestic and international accounts. It is not a marketing role or a high-volume transactional position. Sales cycles can run up to a year, relationships are built over time, and the right person understands that patience, technical credibility, and genuine customer partnerships are what drive results here.

The role combines account management of existing customers with new business development. You will be the face of the company in your territory and the primary relationship for the accounts you own.

This is a privately owned specialty metal fabrication manufacturer with over 100 years in business producing metal components for the HVAC and refrigeration industry. The team is small, tight-knit, and built on deep industry expertise.

• Manage and grow an assigned territory through a combination of account management and new business development
• Identify new business opportunities and move prospects through a long-cycle sales process with patience and persistence
• Conduct field visits, product demonstrations, and application discussions with customers
• Develop a working understanding of the specialty equipment by working with engineering and manufacturing to understand customer needs
• Manage international accounts and maintain basic awareness of global market geography and customer dynamics
• Track activity, pipeline, and account status and report regularly to leadership
• Represent the company at trade shows and industry events as needed

• BS/BA is required or an equivalent of 5+ years of industrial sales experience
• Must have industrial sales in the HVAC or closely related industries
• 3-5+ years of sales experience is required
• Comfortable with field travel including both domestic and some international territory coverage
• Mechanically inclined with the ability to understand and discuss technical products and applications at a credible level.
• Self-motivated, relationship-oriented, and comfortable with long sales cycles where results are measured over months, not weeks
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust over time

This is a role for someone who understands industrial sales, knows how to build relationships that last, and is comfortable playing the long game to earn business that sticks.