Regional Sales Manager | Region: Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota
Remote field sales role requiring local travel to customers and partners throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
SUCCESS PROFILE
We are seeking a driven, customer-focused Regional Sales Manager to accelerate revenue growth across a diverse territory encompassing machine builders, OEMs, system integrators, distributors, and end users. The ideal candidate combines strong technical aptitude in automation and gripping technology with a consultative sales approach, a hunter mentality, and disciplined execution. Success in this role requires the ability to uncover opportunities, influence specifications, build strategic relationships, and maintain exceptional CRM discipline to develop and convert a robust pipeline.
Ideal Traits: Tenacious hunter; strategic territory manager; influential communicator; highly organized and accountable professional who drives urgency, removes obstacles, proposes solutions, and takes ownership of results.
JOB PURPOSE
The Regional Sales Manager is responsible for driving profitable growth and expanding SCHUNK’s market presence within an assigned territory. This role develops business at both the plant and OEM level by identifying application opportunities, securing product specifications, and building long-term customer relationships. Success requires effective channel partner engagement, disciplined account management, and accurate forecasting and reporting through SAP C4C (CRM).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS BY PRIORITY
New Business Acquisition
Identify, prospect, qualify, and close new business opportunities across OEMs, system integrators, machine builders, distributors, and end users. Develop and maintain a healthy sales pipeline aligned with territory growth objectives.
Application-Focused Solution Selling
Position SCHUNK solutions by demonstrating technical expertise, application knowledge, and measurable business value. Conduct product demonstrations, technical presentations, and customer consultations that connect performance improvements to ROI and productivity gains.
Specification & Channel Development
Drive specification wins on new machine builds through collaboration with OEMs, machine builders, and system integrators. Develop, support, and maximize channel partner effectiveness to expand market coverage and accelerate growth.
CRM Excellence & Business Reporting
Maintain accurate and timely opportunity management, customer activity tracking, forecasting, quotations, and follow-up actions within SAP C4C. Leverage CRM insights and sales analytics to support territory planning, forecasting, and strategic decision-making.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with Product Management, Inside Sales, Marketing, and leadership teams to develop customer-focused solutions, execute growth initiatives, and deliver a best-in-class customer experience.
Customer Engagement & Market Presence
Conduct regular customer visits, application reviews, product demonstrations, and trade show activities. Ensure every interaction advances opportunities, strengthens relationships, and results in clear next steps.
TIME UTILIZATION EXPECTATIONS
50% Client Engagement (Strategic Relationship Development)
Build and strengthen relationships with key decision-makers through customer visits, technical consultations, demonstrations, and industry events. Focus on establishing trusted advisor status, influencing specification decisions, and identifying opportunities that support long-term customer success and territory growth.
20% New Business Development (Growth & Revenue Generation)
Aggressively pursue new customer acquisition and market expansion opportunities to achieve territory sales objectives. Activities include prospecting, networking, cold outreach, opportunity development, and closing business across OEMs, machine builders, integrators, distributors, and end users. Maintain a disciplined sales process to manage complex opportunities and effectively position SCHUNK's premium solutions in competitive environments.
20% Channel Management & Partner Enablement (Market Expansion & Leverage)
Develop, support, and optimize distributor and integration partners to expand market reach and drive scalable revenue growth. Activities include partner recruitment, onboarding, training, joint customer engagement, territory planning, and performance management. Foster strong partner relationships while ensuring alignment with SCHUNK's business objectives and customer experience standards.
10% Internal Collaboration & Operational Excellence (Execution & Enablement)
Maintain accurate CRM records, support quoting and proposal development, and contribute to marketing and business development initiatives. Collaborate across departments to ensure customer needs are addressed effectively while demonstrating strong personal accountability in forecasting, opportunity management, and territory execution.
Requirements
MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related; or equivalent technical sales experience.
• 3+ years in manufacturing/machining/industrial automation sales with proven new business development.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills; proficiency with CRM systems (SAP C4C) and virtual tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain disciplined territory coverage; travel up to 50%.
COMPENSATION
• Base + Commission
BENEFITS
• Medical: Comprehensive plan; employer pays 100% for employees and ~85% for family.
• Dental & Vision: Optional group plans.
• Life & Disability: Company-provided short-term, long-term, and life insurance.
• 401(k): 50% match up to 6%
• PTO: Paid Time Off
• Perks: Company car, laptop, phone
COMPANY CULTURE AND CORE VALUE ALIGNMENT At SCHUNK, our culture is rooted in behaviors that advance our mission: being the technology leader in toolholding, workholding, gripping, and automation. We believe success comes from working with urgency, craftsmanship, and a collaborative mindset. Every team member is expected to demonstrate ownership, accountability, and a commitment to moving projects forward.
Core Values and Operating Principles
Say Yes – Find Solutions
We reframe constraints into options and propose alternatives to keep momentum. “No” stops progress; “Yes” moves us forward.
Move It Forward
Every interaction ends with a clear next step, an owner, and a date. We never leave progress to chance.
Meticulous Craftsmanship
We take pride in the quality of our work—whether it’s a proposal, a presentation, or a customer demo. Accuracy and polish matter.
Urgency with Prioritization
We respond quickly to unblock others and prioritize actions that drive impact. Simple requests are answered within one business day.
Intentional and Decisive
We plan with purpose, set clear agendas, and commit to decisions. We remain humble and confident enough to course-correct when new information emerges.
Respectful and Helpful
We foster a culture of respect and support—internally and externally. Collaboration and courtesy are non-negotiable.