National Sales Manager, Canada

KNIPEX Tools LP; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Medical

Dental

Vision insurance

HRA

Paid time off

401K

Job summary

KNIPEX Tools LP seeks a National Sales Manager – Canada to lead external rep teams and achieve Canadian market objectives. You will drive channel development, negotiate key accounts, and coordinate with KTLP management and support functions.

In this role, travel is significant, with hybrid work possible in select U.S. locations and remote options elsewhere. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and sales analytics are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience is required.
• 7+ years of successful sales management involving independent rep agencies.
• 3+ years in industrial/MRO, electrical, or retail distribution sales.
• Proficiency in SAP or ERP systems and Microsoft Office.
• Basic knowledge of business finance; strong market and customer dynamics understanding.
• Ability to plan and manage both strategic and operational levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales plans to meet financial objectives across traditional distribution channels.
• Direct field sales strategy via supervision of external manufacturer rep agencies.
• Manage channel development within Canada and grow Canadian accounts.
• Report to KTLP management and coordinate with support departments.

Skills

Sales leadership

Customer & market knowledge

Strategic planning

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Team coaching

Sales analytics

Presentations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

SAP ERP

Microsoft Office

Job description

The National Sales Manager – Canada position is strategic in the execution of field sales strategy and corporate Key Account support within the Canadian market. This position leads a team of independent manufacturer rep agencies to develop sales in their assigned geographic areas and specific channels of distribution. The Canadian National Sales Manager develops and maintains key customers while meeting assigned KTLP financial and qualitative objectives. Through coaching, training, and development he or she will motivate external sales teams to build relationships with our distribution network, and establish strategic partnerships with major accounts. This individual works closely with KNIPEX Tools LP (KTLP) management and all support departments.

This position requires 65%+ travel throughout Canada but is based in the United States. The role would be hybrid for candidates in the greater Chicago area and fully remote elsewhere. We will consider candidates in major cities within the northern United States with a preference toward the following locations:

• Chicago, IL
• Detroit, MI
• Cleveland, OH
• Buffalo, NY
• Minneapolis, MN

Position Overview

The National Sales Manager – Canada leads an external sales team while meeting KNIPEX Tools LP (KTLP) assigned financial objectives.

• Establishes and implements sales plans and strategies to meet and exceed assigned financial objectives relevant to traditional distribution channels including but not limited to Industrial, Trade, Retail, Automotive, and while acting in best interests of total KTLP.
• Directs field sales strategy through supervision of external manufacturer rep agencies.
• Responsible for channel development within Canada and profitable sales growth within Canadian accounts.
• Acts as a main contact between KTLP and industry buying and marketing groups based in Canada.

Position Responsibilities

• Develops, coordinates, and executes all account management activities including meeting sales and margin goals, and implementing strategy and promotional programs.
• Directs sales strategy execution for external manufacturer’s representatives within assigned distribution channels.
• Proactively identifies operational issues that may arise and resolves them with the appropriate internal teams.
• Meets and exceeds annual sales budget for the total Canadian market, including personally assigned distributor customers.
• Develops and implements annual promotional plans focusing on key product categories and new products.
• Meets and exceeds gross margin goals.
• Prepares and presents effective sales presentations for both existing and prospective customers.
• Maintains positive key customer relationships within the market as well as with personally assigned distributors by providing timely, responsive, and accurate account support.
• Responsible for formulating and implementing relevant account pricing strategies, within KTLP’s financial goals.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with customers through frequent interaction. Ensure customer satisfaction with our level of service.
• Identifies new opportunities to penetrate existing distributors including expansion into more locations.
• Develops a business plan to penetrate the Canadian market by identification and acquisition of new account targets.
• Participates in the planning, attendance, and successful management of KTLP’s national and regional trade shows and industry conventions.
• Develops new product suggestions and applications for the Canadian market and works with KTLP management for review.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

Knowledge

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• 7 or more years of successful experience in sales management, specifically working with a team of independent manufacturer rep agencies.
• 3 or more years of successful industrial/MRO, electrical, or retail distribution sales experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products; SAP or other comparable ERP proficiency a plus.
• Basic knowledge of business finance.
• Strong understanding of customer and market dynamics and requirements.
• Ability to assess sales and business results.
• Proficiency in marketing, promotion and sales processes.
• Ability to plan and manage at both strategic and operational levels.

Skills

• Superior presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Superior product demonstration skills with the proven ability to train others.
• Excellent consultative selling skills and abilities to present well to varied audiences.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under deadline pressure and multitask.
• Excellent follow up.
• Ability and confidence to communicate at all levels, internally and externally in a professional manner by phone, email and face to face contact.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong account management and negotiation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external teams.
• Flexibility to successfully penetrate organizations of various business models ranging from small single location entities to national organizations with multiple branches.

Personal Attributes

• Willingness to travel 65%+ and work in a global team of professionals. Travel may be domestic or international
• Must have a valid US Driver’s license, passport and reliable transportation.
• Sense of urgency mindset with an assertive let’s get it done attitude.
• Energetic, dynamic, and friendly personality.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with teams.
• Results oriented, self-motivated, and has the ability to meet all deadlines.
• Customer oriented.
• Ability to work occasional weekends to attend tradeshows or other work related events.
• Strong business acumen and analytical ability.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Position requires periodic walking, stooping, bending, reaching, and ability to push, pull, and grasp required.
• Continuous standing or sitting for several hours a day.
• Some heavy lifting may be required, up to 40 lbs. (utilizing safe lifting techniques, assisted lifting, and/or team lifts).
• Continuous keyboard and screen usage for several hours a day.
• Regular, reliable and predictable attendance necessary.

Company Values

Knowledge

• Improvement is GREAT. Change is GREAT. Wanting to be better is GREAT.
• Innovate; take initiative and be curious. Learn from mistakes.
• Continue to develop our skills; challenge ourselves and others to achieve possibilities.

Teamwork

• First and foremost, we are a team. Our competition is outside these walls.
• We are all role models and lead by good example.
• Our cooperation and communication is characterized by kindness, openness, honesty, and valuing each other’s contributions.

Loyalty

• Demonstrate reliability, responsibility, and ownership – not just through words, but through actions.
• Keep commitments; say what you will do, and do what you say.
• Trust each other and continue to earn that trust every day.

Passion

• Strive to achieve consistently superior quality, service, performance, productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Take pride in our product, our company, and our people.
• Embrace sustainable initiatives and give back to the community.

The annualized base salary for this position is: $110,000 - $140,000. Please note that the specific compensation for this role will be determined based on experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity considerations.

We have other benefits associated with this position which include:

• Bonus eligibility
• medical
• dental
• vision insurance
• company funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan (HRA)
• generous paid time off
• 401K
• etc.

For more detailed information on our complete benefit package, see https://www.knipex-tools.com/company/careers