Product Sales Manager - Size Reduction & Marination

Duravant • Riverside, MO

12d

About The Position

Marlen, headquartered in Riverside, MO is recognized as a global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered and innovative food processing equipment and systems. Our premium products have long set the standard for quality and performance in vacuum stuffing and pumping, portioning, size reduction, thermal processing, and food handling. Marlen has been trusted by the world’s leading food brands for 70 years. Our world-class Solution Centers strategically located across the globe allow processors to lean on our highly experienced food processing technologists to develop and test unique solutions for your products. Marlen is a Duravant Company, headquartered in Downers Grove, IL. Duravant is a global engineered equipment company with manufacturing, sales and service facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. POSITION SUMMARY: The Product Sales Manager proactively supports and enhances the sales activities for Marlen’s line of size reduction equipment and Henneken marination equipment by supporting the field sales staff with sales collateral, pricing strategies, technical know-how and customer solution development. During the opportunity discovery process, proposal development and order processing, this position provides technical and application support and know-how to the Regional Sales Managers to ensure customer-oriented and technically feasible solutions are quoted. This position will help define and execute the size reduction and Henneken product strategies both globally and domestically by evaluating and analyzing product positioning, customer needs, and the product family road maps. The selected candidate will work in close cooperation with the Engineering Team to guide product adaptations and NPD (new product development) roadmaps according to established procedures. This position may travel up to 50% of the time - mostly for technical and commercial support in the field and occasional trade shows. Normal business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm. Schedule needs to be flexible to accommodate trade show and customer schedules.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the meat industry or a comparable manufacturing or food processing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in a business or technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrated mechanical and electrical aptitude; food industry experience is a strong plus.

Nice To Haves

• 2–5 years of leadership, management, or technical support experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with Sales Management and the Regional Sales Managers directly to lead the sales efforts for size reduction and marination equipment, functioning as the subject matter expert. This includes coordinating the necessary training of the sales team to support and enhance the sales process for optimal efficiency.
• Works in concert with the –sales team to review quote requests to clarify and document technical details prior to commencement of quotation process.
• Manages the profitability of the complete product line. Sets pricing and manages aftermarket business initiatives (spare parts kits, upgrades, etc.).
• Obtains quantitative details of competitive solutions and needs/demands of the marketplace to establish with high degree of certainty market share information and recommend targeted products, solutions and potential acquisitions.
• Leads new product development activities from a total product lifecycle perspective and stays abreast of all technical developments and improvements from engineering. Has intimacy with the current designs and product cost structures.
• Participates in cost reduction and value engineering covering purchased materials, labor and design.
• Market development activities will include, but not be limited to visits to potential and current customers, Solution Center trials to investigate applications and visits to allied third party suppliers/vendors to coordinate joint market approach.
• Works closely with third party suppliers of supporting technologies to develop complete and profitable solution selling.
• Works with Marketing to develop promotions, sales incentives and advertising campaigns as necessary.
• Identifies new markets, which could benefit from existing technology.
• Communicates clearly and factually with company senior management team regarding opportunities and threats concerning the product portfolio.
• For selected applications, leads the development of product justifications, including return on investment studies and other purchase rationale.
• Researches non-standard application requests in close coordination with Engineering.
• Assists in coordinating sample making and customer demonstrations in-house.
• Collaborates with Sales and Engineering to identify and develop technical features and capabilities of size reduction and marination equipment to provide maximum added value to Marlen customers and keep Marlen on the leading edge of innovation
• Attends occasional trade shows to support sales team as well as stay informed of customer expectations and market developments.
• Provides technical expertise and troubleshooting assistance for the Customer Service department to resolve customer issues and opportunities.
• Maintains confidentiality of critical or competitive information.
• Is receptive to on-going coaching and training to further develop professional skill set.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Competitive wages with growth opportunity.
• Shared company-paid premium health benefits with buy-up options.
• Company-paid telemedicine (general medicine) program.
• Company paid Long-term Disability Plan and Basic Life and AD&D.
• 401(k) employer matching plan.
• Three weeks of paid leave and 10 paid holidays.
• Educational Assistance Program that pays for job-related tuition assistance, training, course registration and exam fees (up to $5,250 per calendar year per eligibility requirements).
• Company discount program for you and your family (e.g., concerts, sporting events, health and wellness, travel, gifts and more!).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that assists with guidance on childcare, financial planning, pet care and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees