Technical Sales Manager – High Nitrogen & Specialty Steels

Technical Sales Manager – High Nitrogen & Specialty Steels

Location: Home office, NE Ohio (Akron/Cleveland/Canton/Youngstown). Territory: U.S. & Canada.

Position Summary:

Energietechnik Essen (ETE) – a GMH Gruppe company and world leader in High Nitrogen Steels (Cronidur® 30, HNS® grades) and forged retaining rings – is expanding in North America. Reporting to the Sales Director HNS (Essen, DE) and partnering closely with Kind USA/Lake Park Tool in Ohio, you will spearhead market development, technical sales and key account growth across aerospace, defense, energy machinery and food/pharma sectors.

Key Responsibilities

1. Grow revenue – build a ≥ US $3 M qualified quotation pipeline in year 1 and close ≥ US $1 M new business for HNS.

2. Identify & convert target accounts – priorities 8–10 seed customers (forgings, bearing OEMs, mold makers, progressive distributors, food and beverage, mechanical engineering, oil and gas, automotive, landscaping) and drive first article wins.

3. Technical consultative selling – translate material science advantages (corrosion, wear, nitrogen alloying) into ROI for design /manufacturing engineers and procurement.

4. Market intelligence – monitor Section 232 tariffs, competitor alloys (e.g., 440C, Inconel 625 ESR, others) and feed insights to HQ product management.

5. Quotation & contract management – coordinate pricing, incoterms and delivery schedules with Essen inside sales and U.S. back office; ensure ERP/CRM accuracy.

6. Trade compliance liaison – partner with import/tariff specialists to optimize landed cost and prepare ITAR/EAR documentation when required.

7. Promotion & branding – represent ETE at MD&M, AIST, Forge Fair, and local SME/ASM chapters; Developing sales volumes from special trade fairs for food and beverage, landscaping, traditional machinery, oil and gas, automotive, special automotive applications and other new markets and applications; deliver technical webinars and publish application notes.

8. Cross functional collaboration – interface with Lake Park machining on near net shaping, heat treat houses, and Progressive Alloys to avoid channel conflict.

9. Forecasting – deliver 12 week rolling forecast and quarterly strategic account reviews.

10. Continuous improvement – champion ESRS / “Green Steel” messaging and gather VOC for new product/market development.

Required Qualifications

Preferred / Nice to Have

KPI Year‑1 Target

Net new HNS revenue ≥ US $1 M

Qualified pipeline ≥ US $3 M

Seed customers transitioned to repeat status ≥ 4

On‑time forecast accuracy (±15 %) Quarterly

Compensation & Benefits

Working Arrangement

The base for this role is located in NE Ohio, ideally within 60 minutes of CLE or CAK airports. You will visit customers weekly, attend coordination meetings in Youngstown, OH.

Equal Employment Opportunity

ETE and Kind USA are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Physical & Other Requirements

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $140,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Compensation Package:

Schedule:

Education:

•

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

Ability to Commute:

Willingness to travel:

•

75% (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Youngstown, OH 44512