Area Sales Manager - West Coast

Stabilus is a manufacturer and global market leader of hydro-pneumatic adjustment elements (gas springs), hydraulic vibration dampers, hydraulic door checks, and automatic opening and closing systems for doors, trunk lids, and tailgates. With approximately 8,000 employees, we manufacture to the highest quality and reliability standards in plants worldwide. Our products enhance automobiles, commercial vehicles, furniture, and machines to be safer and more comfortable. By integrating ACE, Destaco, and Hahn Gasfedern into the Stabilus Group, we’ve expanded our product portfolio and expertise in motion control, serving industries from automotive and solar to furniture, medical, agricultural technology, and aviation.

About the role

The Area Sales Manager drives sales of assigned products within a defined geographic region or customer group to meet sales volume, market penetration, profitability, and cost objectives. You will represent Stabilus professionally, define and achieve budgeted sales and profit for the industrial division in your region, and manage relationships with OEMs and distributors. The territory covers the West Coast of the United States and extends into Canada. Compensation includes a base salary, an annual sales bonus tied to target completion, and a company car.

Responsibilities

• Maximize sales and profit dollars across all accounts.
• Implement sales and marketing programs to meet sales and profit goals.
• Develop new accounts and manage existing ones, coordinating technical and customer-satisfaction activities.
• Contribute to market, product, and pricing strategies; provide input on customer quotes and deviation requests.
• Maintain current knowledge of sales support documents and reports.
• Proactively engage with distributors to meet customer needs.
• Problem-solve with customers and internal teams as needed.
• Identify and interpret competitive requirements and actions.
• Use contact management programs proficiently.
• Deliver customer presentations and conduct joint sales and training with distributors.
• Complete administrative tasks, including daily/weekly updates to contact management, quarterly forecast input, key account reports, monthly reports, and maintenance of weekly itineraries and expense reports.

Requirements

• 4-year degree required (business or technical preferred).
• 5–8 years of sales or sales management experience in a related industry.
• Minimum 5 years of proven sales experience in a related industry.
• Minimum 4 years of middle management and supervisory responsibilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; CRM and SAP experience a plus.
• Advanced interpersonal and contact skills; intermediate supervisory skills.
• High resourcefulness and initiative.
• Light physical effort (ability to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally).
• Advanced mental and visual effort required.
• 50–60% travel for customer visits; regional/in-home office setup.

Accountability

The Area Sales Manager contributes to company success by optimizing profits through purchasing and marketing programs. You will operate with supervision framed by goals and objectives, making independent decisions critical to sales. Financial responsibility includes managing sales projects ranging from $7M to $15M. Errors in planning or sales may negatively impact the company’s financial status and ability to meet customer and financial goals. Access to confidential data—such as proprietary product designs, costs, budgets, processes, and strategic plans—requires discretion to prevent compromise.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and frequently stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The position occasionally requires lifting products and supplies up to 30 pounds.