What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Sales Manager – Industrial Contract Manufacturing position at german-american-chambers-of-commerce?
Location: Greater Chicago Area or Remote within Midwest (with regular travel; 40-60%)
Reports to: President of the company’s US subsidiary
About the Client
Our client is a growing US subsidiary of an established international industrial group specializing in high-precision contract manufacturing for demanding applications. The company supports customers across aerospace, defense, semiconductor, energy, medical technology, and advanced industrial manufacturing, delivering engineered solutions for components where accuracy, reliability, and repeatability are critical.
The organization is in a phase of strategic expansion in North America and is building a dedicated commercial presence to support long-term customer growth. This role plays a key part in strengthening the company’s footprint in the US market and offers the opportunity to work closely with technical experts and leadership teams across the global organization.
About the Role
The Technical Sales Manager drives commercial growth in the US by identifying opportunities, developing strong customer relationships, and presenting specialized contract manufacturing solutions for complex, engineered components.
You will manage the full sales cycle—from initial outreach and qualification to technical coordination, proposal development, and contract negotiation. The role suits a self-driven sales professional who enjoys building markets, working with highly technical products, and partnering closely with engineering teams.
Regular customer visits, site engagements, and participation in industry events are an integral part of this position.
Key Responsibilities
- Execute the company’s commercial strategy by identifying, qualifying, and developing new business opportunities, primarily in contract manufacturing and technical services.
- Manage the full sales cycle from initial outreach and needs assessment through technical coordination, proposal discussion, and contract closure.
- Understand customer requirements and confidently present and explain technical solutions developed by the company’s engineering teams.
- Build and maintain strong, long-term customer relationships through structured communication, consistent follow-up, and high-touch customer support.
- Serve as the key link between US customers and the engineering/project teams in the US and Germany, ensuring a smooth transition into project execution.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback, and share relevant insights to support ongoing commercial development.
- Represent the company during customer visits, technical discussions, on-site evaluations, demonstrations, and at selected trade shows and industry events.
What Our Client is Looking For
- A technical or business-related degree, or equivalent experience, enabling you to understand complex manufacturing processes and specialized welding applications.
- Several years of experience in technical sales of contract manufacturing services, ideally within highly specialized welding or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Ability to understand customer requirements and clearly explain technical solutions developed by the engineering team.
- Experience managing long, multi-step B2B sales cycles in specialized industrial applications.
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills with a customer-focused approach.
- A structured, reliable, and proactive working style with the ability to work independently in a growing US subsidiary.
- Willingness to travel regularly for customer visits, site meetings, and industry events.
- Comfort working in an international environment and collaborating closely with teams in Germany.
Benefits Include
- 401(k) with company matches the first 4%
- PTO package: 20 days
- Health insurance: Blue Cross / Blue Shield; single or family package available (incl. dental); company reimbursement 250 USD single and 600 USD family
- Car allowance: 470 USD gas
- Necessary work equipment: company credit card, laptop, mobile phone