Sales Engineer - Industrial Hardware

Essentra is seeking a motivated and dedicated Sales Engineer – Access Hardware to be based in the Chicago area, Northwest Indiana, or Southern Wisconsin. The Sales Engineer will provide technical solutions to customers (B2B sales) within a defined territory to achieve pre‑established sales objectives and margin targets set by Executive Management.

The main duties will include traveling within the assigned territory to meet potential and current customers, providing technical solutions, negotiating sales contracts, and working with the Essentra engineering team to solve customer issues. Job duties also include forecasting updates and managing customer visits and pipeline opportunities through Essentra CRM (Microsoft Dynamics – CE). While we prefer candidates based in the Chicago area, we are open to individuals who live in Northwest Indiana or southern Wisconsin.

The work schedule will be Monday–Friday with up to 60% travel within a region covering several states. Overnight travel will be required.

• Representative administration – daily communications, technical support, and action logs related to activity in the territory.
• Customer support – present proposals, provide technical support, samples, quotes and respond to customer concerns or questions.
• Ensure the assigned territory meets strategic and sales targets set by the region.
• Maximize profitability at the account level.
• Provide the proper level of communication to Commercial Manager through monthly reporting, emails, phone, etc. as required to manage the territory.
• Conduct proper sales analysis to determine strengths and weaknesses within the territory.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership based on sales analysis for the territory.
• Perform project management duties as required for engineering, sampling, quoting and new product development.
• Quote custom parts, tooling, and standard parts within acceptable profit margins.
• Evaluate incoming opportunity and quote for feasibility.
• Field commercial and technical questions posed by customers and internal support functions within the Company.
• Develop project plans, coordinate projects, and communicate changes and progress. Participate in weekly meetings as well as cross‑functional management meetings.
• Manage all customer communication (opportunities, visit reports, pipeline) via the Essentra CRM.
• Participate in trade shows that fit the product category.
• Perform related job duties as assigned and required.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree is required, with a strong preference for Engineering or a STEM field.
• Experience:
  
  At least 1 year in outside sales or as a sales engineer with experience in industrial components; industrial hardware components experience is a big plus.
• Strong technical aptitude and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent negotiation, interpersonal, communication, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to travel up to 60%, including overnight trips.
• Self‑motivated, persuasive, and able to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and attention to detail.
• Engaging team player with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Proficiency in MS Office and previous experience using a CRM system.
• Must be able to handle frustration in a fast‑paced environment.
• Great analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex or diverse information.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, especially communicating well through all levels of an organization both internally and externally.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Manage challenging customer situations in a professional and diplomatic manner.

This is a salaried position, and it also offers a quarterly bonus target, full benefits package, and generous paid time off. The actual base salary offered will be dependent on the skills, experience and overall qualifications of the individual we hire for the position.