Director of Sales – (Metal Forming & Laser Cutting) - Chicago, Illinois

This role drives the company’s long‑term revenue growth and market positioning within the sheet metal fabrication, metal forming, and laser cutting industries. The Director of Sales owns commercial strategy, team performance, and strategic account development across a complex capital equipment portfolio. Success in this position directly impacts market share expansion, profitability, and sustained competitive advantage in core manufacturing segments. Chicago, IL (Northwest Suburbs / Airport Area) – Hybrid or Remote (based on location) ~50% Travel Required Responsibilities Strategic Sales Leadership Design and execute multi‑year sales strategy for metal forming and laser cutting machinery Own revenue, margin, and booking targets Lead forecasting, pipeline discipline, and territory planning Partner with executive leadership on pricing and go‑to‑market strategy Commercial Execution Lead complex capital equipment sales cycles Drive solution‑based selling focused on automation and ROISupport key accounts and distributor partnerships Guide strategy based on productivity, uptime, and TCO drivers Sales Team Leadership Lead and develop regional sales managers Drive accountability and performance metrics Elevate consultative and technical selling capabilities Build a high‑performance culture Market & Industry Presence Monitor market trends and competitive landscape Represent company at trade shows and industry events Strengthen brand positioning within manufacturing sectors Requirements 10+ years of sales experience in metal fabrication equipment, metal forming machinery, or laser cutting systems 5+ years leading sales teams in capital equipment or industrial machinery Strong knowledge of OEM, job shop, and industrial distribution models Proven forecasting, pricing, and margin management skills Bachelor’s degree required (MBA preferred)Willingness to travel (~50%)