We are currently seeking an experienced Industrial Sales Representative, with focus on the poultry or meat processing industries.
VDG (Van der Graaf) is a well-established industry leader in manufacturing drum motors for all type of belt conveyor applications. If you're looking to join a dynamic team, then we would like to meet you!
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Industrial Sales Representative is responsible for driving sales growth and expanding market share within the assigned territory by developing new business opportunities and strengthening relationships with existing customers. The role focuses on promoting and selling VDG's drum motors and related conveyor drive solutions to customers in the food processing, poultry, meat processing, agricultural, material handling, and industrial manufacturing sectors.
The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to customers, identifying application requirements, recommending appropriate solutions, and providing technical support throughout the sales process. This position requires a combination of strong sales skills, technical aptitude, and a customer-focused approach.
Job Responsibilities:
Sales and Product Implementation
- Proactively identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities within food processing, poultry processing facilities, OEMs, system integrators, and other industrial markets. Develop and manage a robust sales pipeline aligned with strategic growth objectives.
- Conduct customer site visits to understand operational needs, evaluate existing equipment and applications, identify opportunities for equipment upgrades, replacements, and new installations, and recommend VDG solutions that improve performance, reliability, and efficiency.
- Prepare quotations, technical proposals, and product recommendations.
- Promote VDG's service and repair programs by identifying opportunities for preventative maintenance, refurbishment, equipment replacement, and lifecycle support services that enhance customer performance and retention.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including engineering, maintenance, operations, and procurement teams. Serve as a trusted advisor to ensure high customer satisfaction and long-term account growth.
Technical Expertise and Customer Support
- Provide technical product knowledge and application support throughout the sales process.
- Assist customers with product selection, sizing, and implementation recommendations.
- Collaborate with engineering and technical teams to address customer requirements and application challenges.
- Support product demonstrations, installations, start-ups, and customer training activities as required.
Market and Industry Insight
- Represent VDG at trade shows, industry events, customer meetings, and technical conferences to promote products, generate leads, and strengthen customer relationships.
- Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, customer requirements, and emerging technologies to support business development and sales growth initiatives.
- Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, sales opportunities, quotations, and pipeline activity within the CRM system to support forecasting and strategic planning.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in technical sales, industrial sales, application engineering, field service, maintenance, or customer-facing roles within industrial manufacturing, material handling, automation, conveyor systems, power transmission, or related industries.
- Proven track record selling industrial equipment (e.g. conveyor systems, automation solutions, electric motors, gearboxes, bearings, power transmission, or other technical equipment.)
- Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to understand customer applications and recommend appropriate technical solutions.
- Experience selling into food, poultry, meat, or agricultural processing plants is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to develop new business opportunities, manage existing customer accounts, and achieve sales targets.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and travel regularly within the assigned territory.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and CRM systems.
- Knowledge of drum motors, conveyor systems, power transmission products, or mechanical drive systems is strongly preferred.
Other:
- Frequent domestic travel is required, including overnights.
- Occasional international travel for corporate training, team meetings, or trade shows.
We offer a competitive salary, company paid benefits, 401(K) match-up, vacation/sick time and other perks.
Check us out at vandergraaf.com. Apply today!
About VDG
VDG is the leader in the design and manufacturing of high-quality, premium-efficiency drum motors for all types of belt conveyor applications, from food processing, packaging, warehousing, postal, parcel, and baggage handling to ship loading, power generation, mining, and aggregate.
The VDG Drum Motor is a one-component conveyor drive that has all drive components, including the electric motor, gear reducer, and bearings, enclosed inside the drive drum, increasing mechanical and electrical efficiency, optimizing space, and promoting operator safety.
Manufacturing in-house in the USA and Canada for 40 years, using cutting-edge production technology and automation, and with continuous improvements through R&D, VDG ensures product quality, short lead-times, and after-sales service.
VDG is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. Accommodation for candidates with disabilities will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. If such accommodation is required, applicants are requested to make their needs known in advance.
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you able and willing to travel regularly within an assigned sales territory?
- Do you have direct experience selling industrial equipment or technical solutions (e.g., conveyor systems, automation solutions, electric motors, gearboxes, bearings, power transmission products, or similar technical equipment)?
- Do you have experience understanding customer applications and recommending technical or mechanical solutions in an industrial environment?
- Have you been responsible for both developing new business opportunities and managing existing customer accounts?
Work Location: On the road
