Area Sales Manager - Columbus, Ohio

Title: Area Sales Manager
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Salary: $125k 

The Area Sales Manager (ASM) is responsible for driving sales growth within the assigned territory by offering innovative solutions that meet customer manufacturing and production needs, specifically through the sale of machine tools and related technologies. This role involves the management of both prospective and existing client relationships and reports directly to the Sales Director. Compensation includes a base salary and commission.

Essential Job Functions:

To be successful in this role, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty effectively. The following functions are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers.

• Promote and sell machine tool products and services, providing technical sales support as needed.

• Collaborate with Applications Engineers to assess and fulfill equipment needs.

• Develop and present proposals tailored to customer requirements.

• Recommend improved equipment or materials to optimize customer operations.

• Conduct regular customer site visits—up to a minimum of 25 visits per week—to address technical challenges and explore sales opportunities.

• Provide on-site support to resolve complex engineering issues.

• Submit weekly territory planning and management information reports.

• Complete expense reports in accordance with company policy and deadlines.

• Participate in semiannual visits to international manufacturing facilities (e.g., in Japan, Germany, Italy, and China).

• Develop strategic and tactical sales plans to meet or exceed annual sales goals.

• Partner with engineering teams to support customer demonstrations and technical evaluations.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or

• Associate’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant B2B sales experience.

• 2–5 years of experience in business development or B2B sales.

• Experience in machine tool sales or manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.