Director of Marine Sales

ERL Inc.•Houston, TX

About The Position

ERL Inc. is hiring a Director of Marine Sales to lead outside sales in Houston and own customer relationships from initial quote through delivery, close-out, and follow-up. The role is focused on customers, with the Houston shop team responsible for operations. Approximately 80% of the role is growing existing accounts and 20% is acquiring new customers, including selling products manufactured in New Albany, Indiana. The Director will sell brown-water pump and valve repair services and ERL marine products, develop account and sales strategies, prepare quotes and sales orders, and coordinate with shop and field technicians to scope repairs. The role also leads Houston sales planning and account coverage, coordinates customer commitments with shop capacity, monitors competitors and market trends, maintains accurate CRM pipeline information, and presents forecasts to senior management. Success includes learning the accounts, shop, products, and pricing in the first 90 days, followed by improved renewal wins, revenue and margin growth, new accounts, and faster quote turnaround in the first year. The role is field-based, with frequent travel to customer sites, barges, shipyards, and fleeting areas, as well as time in the Houston office and shop and periodic travel to New Albany, Indiana. The position works with the President, Houston shop and field technicians, Houston sales team, and New Albany sales and pricing team.

Requirements

Proven track record of owning and growing accounts in outside sales for marine, pump, valve, or rotating equipment.
Ability to build and preserve relationships at every level of a customer, from field personnel to executives.
Comfort asking for work and explaining pricing in terms of scope and value.
Ability to own work from start to finish and maintain disciplined CRM habits.
Able to board and walk barges and work sites safely and wear required personal protective equipment.
Valid driver’s license.
Holds or can obtain a TWIC card.

Nice To Haves

Proactive, responsive service mindset and consistent follow-through.
Technical background in pumps, valves, and rotating equipment, with the ability to follow a diagnosis on a barge.
Existing relationships with Gulf Coast and inland barge operators.
Inland or offshore marine experience.
Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Own key accounts from quote through delivery, close-out, and follow-up.
Grow ERL’s share of work with existing customers and win new customers and fleets.
Ask customers for renewals, repairs, and new product work.
Serve as the customer’s first call when problems arise and own resolution.
Sell brown-water pump and valve repair services and ERL marine products, including products manufactured in New Albany.
Meet with customers at all levels, from field personnel to executives.
Represent ERL at trade shows, AWO, and industry events.
Write quotes and sales orders and explain pricing based on scope and value rather than discounts.
Work with field and shop technicians to scope repairs correctly.
Set the Houston sales plan and account coverage with the Houston sales team.
Coordinate with the shop on capacity and dates before making customer commitments.
Track competitors and market trends and recommend sales strategies.
Enter opportunities daily in the CRM system.
Prepare and present sales forecasts to senior management.
Meet key accounts, learn the shop, products, and pricing, and take ownership of assigned accounts.
Drive stronger COI renewal win rates, revenue and margin growth in owned accounts, new account wins, and faster quote turnaround.