Sales Engineer in Chicago, Illinois at FlackTek Manufacturing Inc

Sales Engineer

1. POSITION SNAPSHOT

In this role you will drive revenue growth across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Eastern Wisconsin by helping customers identify, evaluate, and implement FlackTek's advanced centrifugal mixing technologies. You will serve as a trusted technical advisor throughout the sales process, combining consultative selling, hands-on equipment demonstrations, application expertise, and customer training to deliver solutions that solve complex material processing challenges. This role requires a highly motivated professional who enjoys building relationships, uncovering opportunities, and working directly with customers to achieve successful outcomes. You will represent FlackTek throughout your territory while ensuring customers receive exceptional service and support from initial engagement through installation and long-term success.

This role reports to the: Global Director of Sales & Marketing

2. PRIMARY OUTCOMES

• Territory Revenue Growth Achievement = Annual Sales Plan
• Sales Targets Established Annually with goal of exceeding $500k vs PY
• Focus on a Demo-to-Order Conversion Rate
• CRM Opportunity and Activity Compliance = 95%
• Customer Response Time = 1 Business Day
• Territory Customer Retention Rate = 95%

3. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify and develop new business opportunities throughout assigned territory
• Conduct technical demonstrations of FlackTek equipment and applications
• Manage opportunities through the complete sales cycle
• Develop and maintain relationships with key customer stakeholders
• Generate and qualify leads through prospecting activities
• Deliver technical presentations tailored to customer requirements
• Provide application guidance and processing recommendations
• Coordinate machine installations, startups, and customer training
• Troubleshoot equipment and application challenges for customers
• Prepare quotes, proposals, and commercial documentation
• Maintain accurate CRM records and sales forecasts
• Collaborate with marketing on territory development initiatives
• Gather customer feedback and communicate market insights
• Represent FlackTek at trade shows and industry events
• Support distributor relationships and channel development opportunities
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure customer success
• Travel throughout territory to support sales and customer activities

4. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in a technical, engineering, scientific, business-related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience:
  • 1-3 years of sales, technical sales, engineering, manufacturing, or customer-facing experience
• Technical Skills:
  • Ability to learn and effectively utilize CRM software, preferably Salesforce
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office Suite
  • Strong mechanical and technical aptitude with the ability to learn material processing technologies
  • Ability to conduct equipment demonstrations, installations, and customer training

5. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Preferred Experience:
  • Experience selling industrial, manufacturing, laboratory, or capital equipment
  • Experience supporting technical products in a customer-facing environment
  • Experience working within multi-state territories
• Preferred Skills:
  • Knowledge of material processing, manufacturing, laboratory, or engineering applications
  • Experience managing technical sales opportunities from prospecting through close
  • Familiarity with distributor and channel partner relationships

6. SUCCESS COMPETENCIES & FUNDAMENTALS

• WALK IN YOUR CUSTOMERS' SHOES: Understand your customers' world. Know their challenges and frustrations. See the world from their perspective. The better you understand them, the more effectively you can anticipate and meet their needs.
• DELIVER LEGENDARY SERVICE: It's all about the experience. With every experience, do the little things, as well as the big things, that surprise people. Make every interaction stand out for its helpfulness. Create the “WOW” factor that turns customers into raving fans. This includes both internal and external customers.
• LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND: Give others your undivided attention. Be present and engaged. Minimize distractions and suspend judgment. Be curious to know more rather than jumping to conclusions.
• DELIVER RESULTS: While effort is important, people expect results. Follow-up on everything and take responsibility to ensure that tasks get completed. Set high goals, use measurements to track your progress, and hold yourself accountable for achieving those results.
• FIND A WAY: Take personal responsibility for making things happen. Respond to every situation by looking for how we can do it, rather than explaining why it can't be done. Be resourceful and show initiative. Don't make excuses or wait for others to solve the problem. See issues through to their completion.

7. WORK LOCATION, SCHEDULE & TRAVEL

• Role Type: Full Time - Exempt
• Location: Remote, Greater Chicago Area, Illinois
• Regular Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm
• Travel: Up to 50% domestic travel throughout assigned territory (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Eastern Wisconsin) and for company events, customer visits, installations, demonstrations, and trade shows

8. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Compensation:
  • Annual Base Salary Range: $75,000 - $100,000
  • Commission Structure: 2%-3% commission on machines sold from self-generated opportunities within assigned territory (subject to final company compensation plan)
• Health Benefits:
  • Optional health, dental, and vision insurance plus company-paid virtual and in-person primary care via Nice Healthcare
  • Short- and long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Company Benefits:
  • 401(k) Plan with Employer Match
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with company discount
  • 10 annual company-paid holidays
  • 128 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued in first year
  • Company-sponsored events & outings
  • Weekly work-sponsored team lunch stipend
  • Optional 9/80 work schedule (eligible after 90-day probationary period)

9. ABOUT FLACKTEK

Headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, FlackTek™ has delivered advanced materials processing solutions since 1996. We specialize in high-speed, bladeless centrifugal mixing technology — providing industry-leading performance across every stage of development, from R&D to full-scale production.

Since 2019, we’ve designed and manufactured our systems and accessories in our state-of-the-art U.S. facility, combining decades of technical expertise with nationally sourced, high-quality components. The result: the most advanced centrifugal mixing systems on the market, capable of processing volumes from grams to over 1,200 kg per hour.

With a growing global partner network, FlackTek supports customers worldwide. What truly sets us apart, however, is our service. From initial demonstrations and model selection to implementation, in-depth training, technical support, and on-site maintenance, our team is committed to your success at every step.

Whether you’re solving complex formulation challenges or scaling production, FlackTek delivers performance and support that goes far Beyond Mixing™.

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of FlackTek’s pre-employment screening process, including a background investigation, pre-employment drug screening, and verification of eligibility to work in the United States.

Employment with FlackTek is at-will. No manager, supervisor, or Human Resources representative has the authority to enter into any agreement for employment for a specified period of time or to make any agreement inconsistent with at-will employment.

FlackTek anticipates the application window for this position will close approximately 30 days from the date the notice was posted. However, candidate flow and business needs may require the company to shorten or extend the application window.

FlackTek is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

FlackTek is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this role, please notify the company so that appropriate arrangements can be made.