Solution Sales Manager - Slice, Load & Packaging

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the heritage of a well-established company with the innovation of a forward-thinking industry leader. At GEA, we’re not just building equipment, we’re building lasting careers with an average employee tenure range from 5 to over 11+ years, reflecting the strong culture, growth opportunities, and support we provide. Your responsibilities and tasks Start strong – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day Recharge and refresh – Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including a flexible floating holiday, and 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore Invest in your future – A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster Keep learning – Take advantage of tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset Live well – Our wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits Get support when you need it – Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance Save smart – Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses GEA Group's Food Solutions Division is searching for a Solutions Sales Manager to join our Western Division to focus on our Slicing, Loading, and Packaging product lines! Candidates must reside within 1 hour of an international airport in either California or Texas. Responsibilities Sales & Business Development Drive sales growth for slicing, loading, packaging, automation, and integrated production line solutions throughout North America. Develop and execute strategic account plans to achieve order intake, revenue, and profitability objectives. Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities within existing and target accounts. Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline through proactive customer engagement, prospecting, and market development. Lead the development and execution of customer-specific solution strategies, business cases, and value propositions. Customer Relationship Management Serve as the primary commercial contact and trusted advisor for assigned accounts. Build strong relationships with key decision-makers including Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Plant Management, Procurement, and Executive Leadership. Conduct regular customer visits to understand operational challenges, future capital investment plans, and growth initiatives. Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction through responsive communication and collaboration with internal teams. Solution Selling & Technical Leadership Assess customer production processes and identify opportunities for equipment upgrades, line optimization, automation, and integration. Collaborate with Product Specialists, Engineering, Applications, and Service teams to develop comprehensive technical solutions. Lead customer presentations, workshops, plant assessments, equipment demonstrations, and proposal reviews. Support development of budgetary proposals, quotations, ROI analyses, and capital investment justifications. Market & Competitive Analysis Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, customer requirements, and competitive activity within the slicing, loading, and packaging segments. Identify opportunities to expand market share and increase penetration within strategic accounts. Provide market intelligence and customer feedback to product management and leadership teams. Maintain accurate opportunity management, forecasting, and customer activity records within CRM systems. Work closely with Territory Managers, Strategic Account Managers, Service Sales, and Product Specialists to coordinate customer engagement activities. Participate in trade shows, industry conferences, customer events, and marketing initiatives. Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical business practices. Additional Responsibilities Negotiate commercial agreements to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Continuously develop product, application, and industry knowledge. Operate effectively within a matrix organization while driving cross-functional collaboration and customer success. Your profile and qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Business, Marketing, or related field highly preferred. 5+ years of experience in technical B2B sales, capital equipment sales, account management, or a customer-facing industrial sales role highly preferred. Proven success selling capital equipment, automation systems, packaging equipment, food processing equipment, or integrated production line solutions. Demonstrated achievement of sales targets, order intake objectives, and territory growth initiatives. Experience utilizing CRM systems (SAP C4C, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar). Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and sales reporting tools. Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Strong business acumen with the ability to develop ROI and value-based sales strategies. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, accounts, and priorities while achieving sales targets. Strong consultative selling and relationship management skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Valid Driver's License Ability and willingness to travel up to 70% throughout North America. Experience with one or more of the following technologies and applications is highly desirable: Product loading and distribution systems Thermoforming and tray sealing systems Flow wrapping equipment Bagging and vertical packaging systems Integrated production and packaging lines Prepared foods, protein, cheese, bakery, snack foods, or ready-meal manufacturing environments The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States. The pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and/or equity awards. Please note: This position is based in the United States and does not offer visa or work sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship. GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified. About GEA GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. Approximately 18,000 employees in more than 60 countries contribute significantly to GEA’s success – come and join them! We offer interesting and challenging tasks, a positive working environment in international teams and opportunities for personal development and growth in a global company. GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified. A world of opportunities GEA’s heritage stretches back more than 140 years. Today, we operate in resilient customer industries with a dedicated workforce of more than 18,000 employees and conduct business with more than 150 countries. #J-18808-Ljbffr GEA Group