Director of Sales - Central Region

MES Life Safety; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

MES Life Safety is seeking a Director of Sales for the Central Region in the United States. You will lead regional sales growth, develop a high-performing team, and build strong relationships with fire departments, municipalities, and distributors.

You’ll coordinate with operations and product teams to deliver profitable solutions and ensure customer success. Responsibilities include setting regional priorities, forecasting, pursuing major opportunities, and managing pricing and contracts while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, sales, marketing, or related field.
• Significant sales leadership experience, preferably in fire and life safety sectors.
• Proven record of leading regional sales teams and achieving revenue goals.
• Experience with government, municipal, or institutional clients.
• Strong planning, forecasting, negotiation, and account management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation abilities.
• CRM proficiency and standard business software familiarity.
• Ability to travel regularly within territory.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional sales plan aligned with unit goals.
• Lead and develop regional sales personnel; set objectives.
• Grow revenue and gross margin through new and existing customers.
• Build relationships with fire departments, municipalities, dealers, distributors.
• Manage pipeline, forecast results, and report opportunities/risks.
• Participate in major pursuits and contract discussions.
• Coordinate with ops and service to ensure delivery and requirements.
• Provide customer feedback to product and BU leadership.
• Support pricing and proposals with margin focus.
• Maintain CRM data accuracy across organization.

Skills

Sales leadership

Strategic planning

Forecasting

Negotiation

Account management

Communication skills

CRM proficiency

Travel ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, sales, marketing, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

MS Office

Job description

MES is the nation’s largest provider of PPE, fire apparatus, uniforms, and services to first responders. With over 25 locations, MES is the most trusted source of equipment and service for firefighters, law enforcement, and EMTs. Our dedicated team of over 300 sales representatives and certified service technicians allows us to bring unparalleled quality and service to our industry. MES supports its customers with innovative digital commerce solutions and a nationwide warehousing system with three strategically located hubs that carry thousands of products representing the best brands on the market.

MES offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. MES is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

MES will only employ those legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a pre-employment screening.

Position Summary:

The Director of Sales, Central Region leads sales growth and customer development across the assigned territory for MES Service Company’s Fire Business Unit. This leader sets regional sales priorities, develops and manages the sales team, builds relationships with key customers, and works across the business to deliver profitable growth.

The Director is accountable for regional revenue, gross margin, pipeline development, forecasting, and execution of the Fire Business Unit’s sales strategy. The role partners closely with operations, service, product, finance, and other sales leaders to respond to customer needs and support reliable delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the regional sales plan in alignment with Fire Business Unit goals.
• Lead, coach, and develop regional sales personnel, including setting objectives and reviewing performance.
• Grow revenue and gross margin through new customer acquisition, account development, and product and service opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with fire departments, municipalities, dealers, distributors, and other strategic customers.
• Identify regional market trends, customer needs, competitor activity, and opportunities for expansion.
• Manage the sales pipeline, forecast results, and provide timely updates on opportunities, risks, and expected bookings.
• Participate in major sales pursuits, customer presentations, negotiations, and contract discussions.
• Coordinate with operations and service teams to confirm customer requirements, delivery expectations, and follow-up.
• Work with product and business unit leaders to communicate customer feedback and identify opportunities for new or improved offerings.
• Support pricing and proposal development with attention to customer value, competitive position, and margin objectives.
• Ensure the sales team maintains accurate customer, pipeline, and activity information in the company’s CRM and other reporting systems.
• Support compliance with company policies and applicable requirements for public-sector sales, procurement, and contracting.
• Represent the Fire Business Unit at customer meetings, industry events, and other regional activities.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Leadership Competencies

• Sets clear priorities and holds the team accountable for results.
• Builds trust with customers and colleagues through responsive, practical communication.
• Develops sales talent through coaching and direct feedback.
• Balances growth objectives with margin discipline and customer commitments.
• Works effectively across sales, operations, service, and product teams.
• Exercises sound judgment in customer, pricing, and contract matters.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, sales, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Significant experience in sales leadership, preferably in fire and life safety, emergency response, public safety equipment, apparatus, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated success leading a regional sales team and achieving revenue and gross margin goals.
• Experience managing complex sales cycles and building relationships with government, municipal, or institutional customers.
• Strong skills in sales planning, forecasting, negotiation, and account management.
• Ability to analyze sales and market data and translate findings into clear priorities and actions.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with CRM and standard business software.
• Ability to travel regularly within the assigned territory.

Compensation and Benefits

MES Life Safety offers a competitive compensation package, including base salary, performance-based incentive compensation, and a comprehensive benefits program.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MES Life Safety is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by applicable law. MES Life Safety is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.