Regional Sales Manager / Business Development Manager – Southwest / Automation in Dallas, Texas at SCHMALZ INC

Company Overview

Schmalz is a global leader in vacuum automation and material handling solutions, serving industries such as industrial automation, robotics, material handling, packaging, and CNC machining. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Glatten, Germany, Schmalz has grown into a worldwide organization with subsidiaries and distribution partners in more than 50 countries. In North America, Schmalz operates from its headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, providing innovative automation, gripping, and work holding solutions that help manufacturers improve productivity, efficiency, and workplace safety.

Position Overview

The Regional Sales Manager (RSM) / Business Development Manager is responsible for owning the sales strategy, opportunity development, pipeline, and sustainable growth of the assigned territory while serving as the primary business development resource for strategic accounts including Tesla and SpaceX. This role requires close coordination and communication with distributor partners, direct customers, engineering teams, product management, and executive leadership to drive market penetration and long-term growth.

Territory Coverage: Texas & Louisiana

Strategic Account Development: Tesla & SpaceX

Position Responsibilities:

· Own and execute a regional development plan that balances sales across targeted products, customers, and channels while increasing mindshare and brand awareness for Schmalz vacuum automation products and solutions.

· Meet or exceed assigned sales targets while maintaining a healthy opportunity pipeline sufficient to support current and future territory growth.

· Proactively identify, develop, and pursue new customers, applications, and growth opportunities within targeted industries and accounts.

· Develop and execute strategic account plans for Tesla and SpaceX, aligning Schmalz resources to support long-term growth initiatives.

· Establish and maintain relationships with key decision makers, engineering teams, operations leaders, and procurement stakeholders within assigned strategic accounts.

· Develop distributor partners through regular joint sales activity, training, account planning, and identification of new business opportunities.

· Provide distributor partners and direct sales accounts with insight into the latest Schmalz products and technologies, positioning Schmalz as the global leader in vacuum automation technology.

· Identify and analyze customers’ current and future vacuum-related needs and communicate findings to the U.S. Product Management group to support the product development pipeline.

· Maintain an accurate and current sales pipeline in the company CRM, including opportunities, customer activity, next steps, and sales forecasts.

· Maintain frequent communication with distributor partners, inside sales, applications engineering support, product management, national key account management, and sales leadership.

· Maintain a strong field presence, with an expectation of customer and distributor visits averaging four days per week, while effectively managing territory planning, CRM activity, forecasting, and administrative responsibilities.

· Represent Schmalz at industry trade shows, participate in remote training sessions, and attend customer open houses as required.

Qualifications

· Associate or bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, business, or a related field.

· Minimum three year’s experience in industrial automation, robotics or technical sales.

· Strong industry knowledge, including technology trends and sales channel dynamics.

· Ability to think strategically, take ownership of a territory, and execute projects effectively.

· Strong communication, presentation, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.

· Willingness and ability to travel as required.

· Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to a reliable, suitable vehicle.

· Understanding of vacuum, pneumatics, and/or fluid power products.

· Knowledge of industrial automation markets.

· Residence within the territory (preferably the Dallas/Fort Worth area).

· Experience working with both an ERP and CRM system.