Director of Sales (Player-Coach)

Chicago, Illinois | Onsite

Industrial Manufacturing | Safety Products | Distribution

OTE $160,000 - $220,000

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 Opportunity

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

• Revenue growth
• New business development
• Sales team leadership
• Sales process improvement
• Pipeline management
• Forecasting and KPI accountability
• Distributor and channel partner relationships
• Strategic sales planning

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

Responsibilities

Lead and Develop the Sales Team

• 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

Drive Revenue Growth

• 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

Improve Sales Operations

• 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

Requirements

Required

• 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

Preferred

• 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

Comp + Benefits

Base Salary

$105,000 - $115,000

Personal Sales Commission

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

Quarterly Revenue Growth Bonus

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.

Total Compensation Opportunity

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

Benefits

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

Location

This is an onsite leadership position located in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Candidates should reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the office located in the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois (Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park).