Director of Sales-Steel Coil/Sheet Metal-Aurora, IL

• High-Impact Role with Leadership Trajectory
• Have the freedom to lead in the field, backed by a capable internal team

Client Details

I'm supporting a privately held U.S.-based manufacturer that specializes in custom tubular assemblies and fabricated steel components. They've been around for decades and are well-established in markets like furniture and lawn & garden, with deep, long-standing relationships across a core group of large OEMs.

The company operates its own tube mills and offers end-to-end support for OEMs, from engineering collaboration to custom fabrication. They've recently expanded their commercial infrastructure-bringing in independent reps and building out internal support functions-to drive strategic growth into adjacent markets like warehousing, transportation, and racking systems.

The culture is lean, collaborative, and focused on accountability-ideal for someone who thrives in a self-directed, customer-centric environment.

Description

• Own and grow strategic OEM relationships: Maintain and deepen partnerships with a set of long-standing key accounts-relationships that are central to the business and take years to build.
• Support and enable independent sales reps: Serve as the primary liaison for external reps, ensuring they have the tools, support, and strategic guidance needed to be effective in the field.
• Field-based customer engagement: Spend several days per week in the field meeting with customers, understanding their needs, and collaborating on custom product solutions.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with internal engineering, procurement, and support teams to ensure timely, technically sound solutions and excellent service for OEM customers.
• Sales strategy and growth: Play a key role in shaping the sales approach, identifying new business within adjacent markets (e.g., warehousing, transportation), and contributing to long-term commercial strategy.
• Lead without authority: While this role has no formal direct reports initially, it requires strong leadership across functions and the ability to influence both internal teams and external partners.
• Drive pipeline development: Build and manage a robust sales pipeline focused on long-cycle, high-value deals in a relationship-driven sales environment.

Profile

• 10+ years in industrial or technical sales, with a proven track record selling custom components to OEMs
• 2-3 years of leadership or team guidance (formal or informal)
• Strong understanding of long-cycle, relationship-based sales
• Preferred background in tubing, steel fabrication, stamping, plastics, or die casting
• Not a fit if experience is primarily in capital equipment or raw materials/commodities
• Comfortable leading cross-functional collaboration with engineering, procurement, and customer service teams
• Skilled at managing and supporting independent sales reps
• Confident in technical sales conversations with engineers and decision-makers
• Highly self-motivated, results-focused, and comfortable with autonomy
• Willing to spend a few days per week in the field with customers
• Thrives in a lean, collaborative, high-accountability environment
• Able to lead without formal authority and ramp up with minimal training

Job Offer

• Competitive Compensation: Base salary ranging from $130,000 to $150,000, plus performance-based bonus potential
• Retirement Benefits: Robust 401(k) plan with company match to support your long-term financial goals
• Work Perks: Monthly phone stipend and mileage reimbursement for any business-related travel
• Time Off: Generous vacation policy to support work-life balance and personal well-being

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.