Direct Field Sales Representative - Chicago / Wisconsin

LaFrance Corp; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commission

Car allowance

Job summary

LaFrance Corp seeks a Direct Field Sales Representative to manage an Illinois and Wisconsin territory, covering Chicago and surrounding areas. Base salary of $60,000–$65,000 per year with eligibility for commissions and a monthly car allowance.

You will travel across Greater Chicago, Central Illinois, and Wisconsin to grow existing accounts and develop new business. The role requires strong relationship-building, strategic planning, and proficiency with CRM tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma; college degree preferred.
• Outside/surface sales experience in B2B environments is preferred.
• Must be willing to travel across IL, WI, and Greater Chicago area.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a territory sales plan to retain and grow accounts.
• Conduct regular face-to-face meetings with automotive dealers and other accounts.
• Build a robust pipeline through prospecting and follow-up with high-potential accounts.
• Deliver tailored sales presentations, product demos, and proposals.
• Plan weekly routes and maintain a seven-week travel cycle across the territory.
• Identify 40+ target accounts per field week and maintain follow-up.
• Maintain accurate CRM records of sales activity and pipeline status.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Customer Service, Reorders, and Product Development to support revenue growth.

Skills

Field sales

Relationship-building

Communication

Negotiation

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing or related field preferred

Tools

Salesforce

GoldMine

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Direct Field Sales Representative - Chicago / Wisconsin

Full Time Chicago Area - Remote/Field, Chicago, IL, US

Salary Range: $60,000.00 To $65,000.00 Annually

In addition to the base salary, this position is eligible for commission and a monthly car allowance.

About Benmatt Industries

Benmatt Industries is a fast-growing division of LaFrance Corp and a leading nationwide supplier and manufacturer of automotive dealer identification and promotional products. From premium license plate frames to lifestyle branding solutions, we help dealerships strengthen their visibility and customer experience. LaFrance Corp is a privately owned, global manufacturer founded in 1946 and headquartered in Concordville, PA.

About the Role

The Direct Field Sales Representative will manage and grow an established Illinois and Wisconsin territory that includes approximately 138 current customers and more than 175 prospective accounts. The territory generated approximately $925,000 in 2025 and has an estimated potential of $2.25 million. This role offers the opportunity to deepen a strong existing account base while developing new business across Greater Chicago, Central Illinois, and southeastern Wisconsin.

The territory includes Chicago; Lake County; the south and west suburbs; Central Illinois markets such as Peoria and Bloomington; and Wisconsin markets including Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, and Waukesha. The representative must be based in the Greater Chicagoland Area and comfortable maintaining a consistent field presence across this broad territory.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute a territory sales plan designed to retain existing business, expand customer relationships, and achieve or exceed sales goals.
• Conduct regular face-to-face meetings with automotive dealerships and other targeted accounts to understand their needs and present relevant products and solutions.
• Build a strong pipeline through prospecting, cold calling, networking, referrals, and consistent follow-up with high-potential accounts.
• Prepare and deliver compelling sales presentations, product demonstrations, samples, and proposals tailored to each customer's needs.
• Plan efficient weekly routes and maintain a consistent seven-week travel cycle across Greater Chicago, Central Illinois, and Wisconsin.
• Identify at least 40 targeted customer and prospect accounts for each field week and maintain consistent follow-up throughout the sales cycle.
• Maintain accurate and timely CRM records of sales activity, customer interactions, follow-up commitments, and pipeline status.
• Partner with Marketing, Customer Service, Reorders, and Product Development to support new business, recurring orders and the resolution of customer needs.
• Share market intelligence, competitive activity, customer feedback, and emerging opportunities to support product and marketing strategies.

What We're Looking For

• Must reside within the Greater Chicagoland Area.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in field sales, outside sales, account management, or a comparable customer-facing role; B2B sales experience strongly preferred.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel throughout the assigned territory.
• Ability and willingness to follow the seven-week territory rotation, including approximately two weeks of overnight travel per cycle in Central Illinois and Wisconsin.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, presentation, negotiation, and consultative selling skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and persistence in developing new business and working toward measurable sales goals.
• Excellent organization and time management, including the ability to plan routes, prioritize accounts, and follow through consistently.
• Comfort working independently in the field while collaborating effectively with a broader team.
• Experience using CRM software such as Salesforce or GoldMine and proficiency with digital sales and reporting tools preferred.
• Automotive dealership, promotional products, or related industry experience preferred.

The Values We Look For

We seek team members who demonstrate:

• A passion for learning, improving, and delivering results.
• A desire to contribute to the success of the larger team.
• Enthusiasm for solving challenges and finding solutions.
• Respect for coworkers and collaboration across departments.
• Commitment to supporting LaFrance Corp and living our core values.

Why Join LaFrance Corp?

For more than 75 years, LaFrance Corp has built long-term relationships with leading global brands by combining creativity, technical expertise, manufacturing capability, and strong customer service.

We offer a casual yet professional work environment where teamwork, problem-solving, and internal growth are valued. Promotion from within is an important part of our culture, and employees have opportunities to participate in wellness initiatives, community volunteer activities, company events, and culture teams.