Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Next Step Recruitment•Chicago, IL

15d•$200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

A privately held industrial business with a proven product line and established OEM relationships is poised for its next stage of growth. Current revenues are in the single-digit millions, with a clear trajectory to reach double digits in the near future. We are searching confidentially for a sales and marketing leader who combines strategic vision with hands-on execution. This is not a “sit above the business” role — it requires someone who thrives in a smaller company environment, with the discipline to build systems and the drive to personally deliver results. The EVP will be directly engaged with customers, own major negotiations, strengthen sales processes, and mentor a capable VP of Sales, while serving as the commercial voice at the executive table. The company has secured its operational foundation, established a strong base of OEM relationships, and is ready to scale. This EVP role is being created at a pivotal moment — where leadership can make a measurable impact on revenue growth, customer expansion, and the overall trajectory of the business.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive experience in senior B2B sales and marketing roles.
Background in complex sales to OEMs or industrial manufacturers.
Proven record of negotiating major customer contracts and driving profitable growth.
Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities with experience developing accountable teams.
Ability to expand internationally through reps and direct engagement.
Entrepreneurial, ownership-oriented mindset — thrives in a nimble, smaller-company environment where follow-through matters.
Bachelor’s degree in a technical field required

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

Grow Revenue: Lead the company through its next scale-up phase, establishing and executing a commercial strategy that supports sustained double-digit growth.
Be With Customers: Spend roughly 75% of your time directly with OEMs, distributors, and partners — building trust, developing opportunities, negotiating contracts, and representing the company at trade shows and industry events.
Negotiate & Close: Take ownership of high-value negotiations on contracts, pricing, and warranties, ensuring profitability and discipline.
Own the Sales Process: Audit and improve existing systems for forecasting, proposal tracking, customer feedback, and follow-up, creating a culture of accountability.
Lead & Mentor: Manage and develop the VP of Sales, instilling rigor and commercial acumen while coordinating with marketing and product teams.
Expand Markets: Pursue new applications and international opportunities, balancing direct engagement with representative networks.
Oversee Marketing: Ensure consistent and professional presence across social media, PR, digital platforms, and the company’s upgraded website, aligning brand and growth goals.
Executive Voice: Provide clear commercial insight to the CEO and leadership team, contributing to board-level strategy and planning.