Product Sales Manager - Marlen International : Job Details

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 plays a pivotal role in driving sales success for Marlen's innovative size reduction equipment and stainless steel accessories. This dynamic position is all about empowering our field sales team with impactful sales collateral, smart pricing strategies, deep technical expertise, and creative customer solutions.

In this role, you'll provide essential support during opportunity discovery, proposal development, and order processing, ensuring that our Regional Sales Managers deliver tailored, customer-focused solutions. You'll work closely with our Engineering Team to guide product adaptations and new product development, keeping our offerings ahead of the curve. Occasionally, you'll also dive into technical troubleshooting internally and on the field to ensure exceptional customer experiences.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works closely with Sales Management and the Regional Sales Manager directly to lead the sales efforts for size reduction equipment and stainless, functioning as the subject matter expert.
• Works in concert with the Vice President - Sales to review RFQ's 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.).
• Manages and updates price lists as necessary.
• Identifies current competitive solutions and disseminates information internally as appropriate.
• 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.
• Coordinates the necessary training of the sales team to support and enhance the sales process for optimal efficiency.
• 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.
• Attends internal sales meetings and training sessions as required.
• Collaborates with Sales and Engineering to identify and develop technical features and capabilities of Carruthers equipment to provide maximum added value to Marlen customers.
• 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 Customer Service department to resolve customer issues and opportunities.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• 5+ year of experience in product line management, sales, engineering, or relevant experience
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution in a business or technical area of study; and two to five years related management or support experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Mechanical and electrical aptitudes along with food industry experience a big plus.

This position may travel up to 25% 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.

WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY:

• 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.
• Driven Team Members: We have a cross-functional, collaborative environment, focused on delivering results.
• Customer-centric: We have long-standing valued customers and differentiate ourselves by providing them with exceptional services.
• Culture: We are driven by our number one asset, our employees, and their successes!