Sales Manager (Chemical)

Position Summary

A growing chemical distribution company is seeking a Sales Manager to work directly alongside ownership with the long-term goal of eventually leading the sales organization. The current team consists of 5-7 senior sales representatives who operate independently and 12 junior sales representatives requiring coaching, accountability, and day-to-day management. This role is designed as a succession-focused leadership opportunity with direct mentorship and training under ownership during the first year.

Key Responsibilities

• Work directly with ownership to learn the business, customers, and sales strategy
• Manage, coach, and develop junior sales representatives
• Support accountability, activity management, and sales execution across the team
• Monitor gross profit performance and maintain strong margin discipline
• Help drive territory growth and customer retention
• Analyze sales performance, trends, and pipeline activity
• Work cross-functionally with operations, purchasing, and leadership teams
• Eventually transition into broader leadership responsibility over the sales organization

Required Qualifications

• MUST have hands-on chemical distribution sales experience - 5-10 years within chemical distribution specifically
• MUST currently reside in California
• Previous experience in sales leadership, team management, or mentorship
• Strong understanding of margin management and profitability
• Prior proven ability to develop customer relationships and close business
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Experience managing or supporting multiple sales reps
• Comfortable with ~30% in-state travel, expenses covered by client
• Comfortable with direct oversight of junior sales representatives

Strong Plus

• Experience leading both senior and junior sales teams
• Existing relationships within industrial, chemical, manufacturing, or distribution markets
• Experience managing compensation or incentive-driven sales teams
• Experience scaling territories or sales organizations

Nice to Have

• Background in specialty chemicals, industrial chemicals, or related distribution sectors
• Experience working in entrepreneurial or privately owned companies
• Exposure to GP-focused sales environments