Regional Sales Manager (Midwest US) Chicago

Position Overview The Regional Sales Manager is responsible for driving revenue growth within an assigned U.S. territory by developing new business, expanding key accounts, and managing channel partners. This role combines hands-on business development with relationship management and strategic territory planning to ensure Hernon Manufacturing achieves its commercial objectives across adhesives, sealants, coatings, and dispensing equipment. The Regional Sales Manager acts as the company’s field representative — maintaining close alignment with the Commercial Director and collaborating with the Sales Support team to ensure territory performance, accurate CRM reporting, and proactive customer communication.  Key Responsibilities Territory Sales & Business Development Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities across target industries — Aerospace, Automotive, Electronics, etc Conduct regular face-to-face visits with industrial customers and distributors to identify needs, demonstrate solutions, and drive sales growth. Manage assigned territory pipeline through the CRM, ensuring leads, opportunities, and forecasts are current and accurate. Develop and execute territory growth plans aligned with company goals and annual revenue targets. Work collaboratively with the Sales Support team to ensure timely responses to RFQs, sample requests, and technical inquiries. Represent Hernon at trade shows, customer demos, and distributor events within the assigned region.  Channel & Customer Relationship Management Manage and develop distributor and channel relationships to expand Hernon’s reach and brand presence. Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with key distributors and strategic customers. Support the implementation of pricing strategies and ensure adherence to approved discount structures. Act as the liaison between customers and internal departments (Production, Technical Service, and Shipping) to ensure customer satisfaction and timely issue resolution. Monitor competitive trends and market conditions; communicate insights to the Commercial Director and Sales Support team.  Forecasting, Reporting & Collaboration Maintain accurate sales forecasts and opportunity tracking in the CRM, reporting territory performance on a regular cadence. Collaborate with the Sales Support team to ensure order accuracy, lead-time communication, and customer follow-up. Provide field-level feedback on market trends, customer needs, and product performance to inform strategic decisions. Participate in periodic sales meetings, both virtual and in-person at Hernon headquarters, contributing to territory updates and process improvement discussions.  Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience). 3+ years of successful industrial sales experience; adhesives or chemical sales preferred. Demonstrated success in territory management and new business development. Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to learn technical products and applications. Proficiency with CRM tools and Microsoft Office Suite. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. Willingness to travel 50–60% within the assigned territory. Candidate must reside in the US.Valid driver’s license required.  Key Attributes Results-driven: consistently achieves growth targets through strategic planning and disciplined execution. Customer-focused: builds trust and long-term relationships with customers and distributors. Data-minded: leverages CRM insights to guide decisions and measure performance. Collaborative communicator: works seamlessly with Sales Support, Marketing, and Operations to ensure customer success. Adaptable: thrives in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and new opportunities.  Physical Demands & Work Environment Frequent travel and customer site visits required. Regularly required to sit, drive, stand, and communicate effectively in industrial and office settings. Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. occasionally. Work environment varies between office, manufacturing, and customer sites.