Regional Sales Manager - Midwest (Chicago-Based)

Regional Sales Manager – Midwest

The Regional Sales Manager – Midwest is responsible for driving sales growth, market expansion, and brand presence across a key strategic region, with a strong emphasis on the greater Chicago market.

This is a senior individual contributor role that owns regional performance, develops high-value customer relationships, and drives execution across both Trade and Industry Partner (IP) channels. The role requires a highly strategic, self-directed professional who can influence cross-functional partners, support independent representative agencies, and deliver results without direct people management responsibility.

Regional Strategy & Market Growth

• Develop and execute a comprehensive regional sales strategy aligned with company objectives, with a targeted focus on Chicago and the broader Midwest market.
• Drive revenue growth, market share expansion, and brand positioning within established cost-of-selling parameters.
• Lead territory-level business planning, forecasting, and performance tracking.
• Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities, distribution expansion, and strategic partnerships.

Account Management & Relationship Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key accounts, distributors, showroom leaders, and strategic partners across the region.
• Establish executive-level connections within key Chicago-based customers to drive long-term growth.
• Evaluate and support optimization of the regional distribution network to align with business objectives.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex customer needs and strategic negotiations.

Influence & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with independent representative agencies and field sales partners to drive alignment and execution of regional strategies.
• Act as a key liaison between the field and corporate teams, ensuring consistent communication and execution of initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Product Management, and Operations to support product launches, campaigns, and regional initiatives.

Training, Merchandising & Brand Execution

• Support and deliver product training to customers, partners, and representatives to strengthen brand knowledge and positioning.
• Partner with Marketing to execute regional merchandising, promotional, and go-to-market strategies.
• Ensure strong in-market execution of displays, brand standards, and customer experience.

Operational & Financial Management

• Manage regional budget including travel, marketing investments, and cost of sales.
• Maintain accurate CRM data, pipeline visibility, and reporting.
• Provide regular sales forecasts, activity reports, and market insights to leadership.

Travel

• 60–70% domestic travel within the Midwest region, with a strong presence in Chicago.
• Occasional international travel (1–2 trips annually).

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• 7–10+ years of experience in regional sales within the plumbing, building products, or related industry.
• Proven success driving growth through distribution channels and key account development.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills (without direct authority)
• Advanced negotiation capabilities
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• High level of autonomy, accountability, and self-motivation
• Analytical mindset with data-driven decision making
• Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite

Core Competencies

• Driving Results
• Business Acumen
• Influencing & Negotiation
• Strategic Thinking
• Customer Focus
• Collaboration
• Adaptability