Sales Engineer - Access Hardware

Essentra is a leading provider of essential components and solutions. Every day we produce and distribute millions of small but essential products.

Our international network extends to 28 countries, with headquarters in the United Kingdom and includes 14 manufacturing facilities, 24 distribution centers and 33 sales & service centers

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At the center of everything is our purpose, to responsibly provide the products and services our customers need to succeed. Put simply, our purpose is why we exist as a company. Many companies claim to be changing the world; we don't. But we do make a powerful difference to our customers. We make it work. Every one of us. Every day.

Essentra is seeking a motivated and dedicated Sales Engineer - Access Hardware to be based in the Chicago area, Northwest Indiana, or 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 Sales Engineer will meet with customers in person to identify their needs and close sales deals. The product line focus will be access hardware, or industrial locks and latches.

The main duties will include travel within the assigned territory to meet potential and current customers, provide technical solutions, negotiate sales contracts, and work 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.

Typical Responsibilities:

• Representative administration - daily communications, technical support, and action logs related to activity in your territory.
• Customer support - present proposals, provide technical support, samples, quotes and responding to customer complaints 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.

Qualifications:

• 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; familiarity with Access Hardware (locks, latches, hinges, gasketing) required.
• 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.
• 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 or emotional customers in a professional and diplomatic manner.

What We Offer:

This is a salaried position, and the targeted salary range is $100,000-$110,000. The position 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.