Sales Operations Manager

PALFINGER; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Company match

Medical insurance

Paid PTO

Job summary

PALFINGER, a leading technology and mechanical engineering company, is seeking a Sales Operations Manager in the USA to drive sales forecasting, production scheduling alignment, and CRM improvements. You will lead production planning and inside sales teams and collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Finance.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and at least 3 years in sales operations or related fields; travel up to 35% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Sales Management, Operations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in sales operations, finance, commercial excellence, or a related role, preferably within an industrial manufacturing or equipment-based organization.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams, including performance management, talent development, succession planning, and cross-site collaboration in a matrix organization.
• Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel, CRM platforms, reporting systems, and business intelligence tools, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Willingness to travel up to 35% as business needs require; experience with channel sales, dealer networks, heavy equipment, industrial machinery, or chassis industries is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead sales forecasting, quota planning, and demand alignment using historical data, market trends, and input from regional sales teams.
• Partner cross-functional with Sales, Finance, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Logistics to align forecasts with production schedules and inventory plans.
• Manage and develop production planning and inside sales teams, providing leadership, coaching, and performance direction to ensure timely equipment delivery and backlog management.
• Drive operational excellence within inside sales processes by standardizing order entry, lead tracking, pipeline management, and quote accuracy.
• Serve as a key point of contact for scheduling coordination with customers, sales partners, and chassis suppliers to ensure specifications and delivery timing are met.
• Develop, maintain, and analyze dashboards, reports, and KPIs to provide actionable insights on sales performance, forecast accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Own and continuously improve CRM, quoting, forecasting, and scheduling tools, ensuring data integrity and user adoption across the organization.

Skills

Excel

CRM platforms

BI tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Sales Management, Operations

Tools

Sales forecasting tools

Scheduling tools

Job description

For more than 90 years, PALFINGER has set benchmarks with innovative crane and lifting solutions worldwide. As a leading technology and mechanical engineering company, we transform customer needs into seamlessly integrated solutions while providing opportunities for our people to grow, collaborate, and push beyond limits. We foster an environment where we reach up, reach out, and reach beyond. Become part of our team and let’s lift each other to create what’s next.

Join PALFINGER as the Sales Operations Manager, responsible for driving Sales operational excellence across the PUSA organization, with a particular focus on customer support, sales forecasting, production scheduling alignment, and chassis suppliers supporting our sales and operations for best process optimization. This role ensures that targets are known and accurately put in place across the organization to meet the budget and demand planning required by our customers. Reporting directly to the Managing Director of Palfinger, USA, this role manages the production planning and supply chain teams and cross-functionally collaborates with various departments including Sales, Operations and Finance.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead sales forecasting, quota planning, and demand alignment using historical data, market trends, and input from regional sales teams.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Sales, Finance, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Logistics to align forecasts with production schedules and inventory plans.
• Manage and develop production planning and inside sales teams, providing leadership, coaching, and performance direction to ensure timely equipment delivery, backlog management, and order prioritization in support of revenue targets.
• Drive operational excellence within inside sales processes by standardizing order entry, lead tracking, pipeline management, and quote accuracy.
• Serve as a key point of contact for scheduling coordination with customers, sales partners, and chassis suppliers to ensure specifications, delivery timing, and requirements are met.
• Develop, maintain, and analyze dashboards, reports, and KPIs to provide actionable insights on sales performance, forecast accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Own and continuously improve CRM, quoting, forecasting, and scheduling tools, ensuring data integrity, system integration, and user adoption across the organization.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Sales Management, Operations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in sales operations, finance, commercial excellence, or a related role, preferably within an industrial manufacturing or equipment-based organization.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams, including performance management, employee development, succession planning, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within a matrixed, multi-site organization.
• Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel, CRM platforms, reporting systems, and business intelligence tools, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights that drive sales performance, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills with a proven ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively across sales, operations, finance, supply chain, and executive leadership teams.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with the ability to prioritize competing demands, lead cross-functional initiatives, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 35% as business needs require; experience with channel sales, dealer networks, heavy equipment, industrial machinery, or chassis industries is preferred.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation: $104,824 to $136,522 (depending on qualifications and experience)
• 401(k) with Company match.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and short- and long-term disability (depending upon state). Wellness program offered.
• Paid Company holidays and paid Personal Time Off (PTO).
• Opportunity for continuous learning and career growth.

This job posting describes the general nature of work performed by employees within this classification. The information on this posting is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of all responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Other duties may be assigned.

PALFINGER is not utilizing any external recruiting agencies for this opportunity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled