Sales Manager

Job Description: About The Role - Channel Sales Manager

Our client is seeking a proactive and experienced professional to drive adjacent market expansion across their material handling group. This newly created role is focused on accelerating growth outside their $110M core business, which primarily serves steel and aluminum mills with proprietary heat-treating solutions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and growing the independent manufacturer rep network, with a focus on industrial markets across the Midwest and South (full territory: U.S. east of the Mississippi). This role offers the unique opportunity to shape a developing sales function with high visibility across the organization and report directly to the VP of Strategy & Business Development for the first couple of years.

While the role supports all business unit products, Bushman Lifting—a leader in engineered lifting solutions—represents the dominant product line today.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a network of 10 independent manufacturer rep firms, each representing multiple product lines.


• Evaluate rep performance, coach and support B-players, and replace underperforming partners as needed.


• Build and execute rep support programs (training, field support, co-selling strategies).


• Deepen relationships within target markets and identify adjacent industry growth opportunities.


• Spend initial months visiting brand sites and rep firms to build product knowledge and assess market presence.


• Collaborate closely with leadership to refine channel sales strategies and lay the foundation for scalable growth.


• Travel ~60–70% in year one (primarily Midwest and South), tapering to ~40% as the rep network matures.

Ideal Candidate

• 10 years of industrial sales experience, with a proven track record of managing independent manufacturer reps.


• Strong leadership presence, capable of evaluating, developing, and driving performance across a distributed sales network.


• Experience working with plant operations, maintenance managers, or industrial end-users.


• Engineering education/background is a plus but not required.


• Highly self-motivated, organized, and comfortable working autonomously in a remote environment.


• Based near a major airport, ideally in the Cincinnati or Milwaukee areas—but open to other locations for standout candidates with successful remote track records.

What You Can Expect

• In-depth product training across all business units.


• A robust existing pipeline and an active channel—this is not a ground-zero build.


• Hands-on mentorship and access to executive leadership during ramp-up.


• A strategic seat at the table as you help shape and scale a high-impact sales function from the ground up.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re a seasoned channel sales leader who thrives in industrial markets and enjoys building systems, teams, and strategy—this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Location

Remote (Preferably near Cincinnati or Milwaukee, or major airport hub)

Travel

Approximately 60–70% initially, tapering to ~40%

Compensation

$85K base + uncapped commissions | First 6 months guaranteed base at $135K | OTE first year $150K–$180K

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran's status.

Applicants with a disability or a disabled veteran may request a reasonable accommodation if he/she is unable or limited in his/her ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our website as a result of his/her disability. The applicant may request reasonable accommodations by contacting us at 317-661-1740.