Contract Manager Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 10 years of business development or B2B industrial sales experience, including direct experience selling hot-dip galvanizing services or working in a galvanizing, coating or steel-processing environment.
• Working knowledge of the hot-dip galvanizing process, design-for-galvanizing principles and common quality issues.
• Proven ability to open new accounts and close complex, multi-stakeholder opportunities using a structured, consultative sales methodology.
• Strong financial acumen, including pricing strategy, zinc-cost pass-through and margin management.
• Strong data analysis skills and ability to interpret results and present recommendations to leadership.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to solve complex customer and operational problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to influence diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Salesforce or a comparable CRM, as well as Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• High-energy, self-motivated approach and strong drive to win.
• Ability to build long-term, trust-based partnerships and prioritize customer satisfaction.
• Comfort and credibility working with both plant operators and executives.
• Strong negotiation and critical-thinking skills, personal accountability and a positive, professional attitude.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree, such as an MBA.
• Established relationships with steel fabricators and OEMs in construction, infrastructure, transportation, energy and utilities, data centers, agriculture or general industrial markets.
• Experience selling bundled contract manufacturing services such as steel tubing, fabrication and coating.
• Experience managing inside sales support and distribution or independent sales representative channels.
• Active involvement with the American Galvanizers Association or related industry groups, or AGA training and certification.
• Familiarity with public-sector and DOT procurement, project bidding and specification processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the galvanizing go-to-market strategy, including target segments, geographic reach and account priorities.
• Map regional galvanizing competitors, captive kettles, capacity, turnaround times and pricing behavior to identify market opportunities.
• Target markets where hot-dip galvanizing is specified or preferred, and monitor demand drivers to develop pipeline opportunities.
• Prospect, qualify and close new galvanizing accounts outside Lindsay’s core Irrigation and Infrastructure business units, meeting revenue, tonnage and margin targets.
• Build and manage a disciplined Salesforce pipeline, with accurate forecasts of volume, timing and kettle loading.
• Grow existing accounts by identifying customer needs and cross-selling ERW tubing and fabrication or assembly services.
• Develop relationships with customer contacts at all levels, from shop-floor and quality personnel to purchasing, engineering and executives.
• Lead customer plant tours and onboarding, establishing expectations for material preparation, scheduling, turnaround and logistics.
• Sell the benefits of hot-dip galvanizing compared with paint and other coatings, including life-cycle cost, service life and corrosion protection.
• Advise customers on design for galvanizing, including venting, drainage, fabrication practices, material selection, steel chemistry, distortion risk and kettle dimensions.
• Apply knowledge of industry standards such as ASTM A123, A153, A767 and A385, and AGA guidance, in quotes, specifications and quality discussions.
• Engage engineers, architects, DOTs and utilities to support specifying galvanizing and Lindsay on upcoming projects.
• Develop and negotiate pricing that accounts for part complexity, racking density, zinc consumption and value-added services.
• Structure agreements with zinc surcharge or index mechanisms to protect margins during commodity price changes.
• Partner with operations to align the order book with kettle capacity, shift schedules and turnaround commitments.
• Analyze account profitability, win/loss trends and market share, and present findings and recommendations to leadership.
• Collaborate with galvanizing operations, quality, supply chain, inside sales, customer service and marketing to deliver a consistent customer experience.
• Work within a matrix organization, leverage One-Lindsay shared services and contribute to corporate growth initiatives.
• Represent Lindsay at industry events and associations, including the American Galvanizers Association, fabricator associations and end-market trade shows.
• Provide market feedback to inform capital, capacity and service-offering decisions for the galvanizing operation.