Solution Sales Manager - Slice, Load & Packaging

GEA Group; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid holidays

PTO

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness incentive

EAP

Health savings account

Job summary

GEA Group’s Food Solutions Division is seeking a Solutions Sales Manager to join the Western Division, focusing on slicing, loading, and packaging lines. The role drives sales, builds strategic account plans, and expands market share across North America.

You will collaborate with product, engineering, and service teams to deliver comprehensive solutions, manage a robust pipeline, and travel up to 70% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in one of the specified fields.
• Experience in technical B2B sales and capital equipment.
• Proven success in sales targets and account growth.
• CRM proficiency with SAP C4C, Salesforce, or Dynamics.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales and business development for slicing, loading, packaging, and automation solutions in North America.
• Develop strategic account plans to hit revenue and profitability targets.
• Identify new opportunities within existing and target accounts.
• Maintain a robust sales pipeline through proactive engagement.
• Lead customer-specific solution strategies and ROI justifications.

Skills

Capital equipment sales

Technical B2B sales

Account management

Relationship management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Business, Marketing, or related field

Tools

SAP C4C

Salesforce

Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Office

Job description

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the heritage of a well-established company with the innovation of a forward-thinking industry leader. At GEA, we’re not just building equipment, we’re building lasting careers with an average employee tenure range from 5 to over 11+ years, reflecting the strong culture, growth opportunities, and support we provide.

Responsibilities / Tasks

• Start strong – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
• Recharge and refresh – Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including a flexible floating holiday, and 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
• Invest in your future – A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
• Keep learning – Take advantage of tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
• Live well – Our wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
• Get support when you need it – Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
• Save smart – Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses

GEA Group’s Food Solutions Division is searching for a Solutions Sales Manager to join our Western Division to focus on our Slicing, Loading, and Packaging product lines!

Candidates must reside within 1 hour of an international airport in either California or Texas.

Responsibilities:

Sales & Business Development

• Drive sales growth for slicing, loading, packaging, automation, and integrated production line solutions throughout North America.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans to achieve order intake, revenue, and profitability objectives.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities within existing and target accounts.
• Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline through proactive customer engagement, prospecting, and market development.
• Lead the development and execution of customer-specific solution strategies, business cases, and value propositions.

Customer Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary commercial contact and trusted advisor for assigned accounts.
• Build strong relationships with key decision-makers including Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Plant Management, Procurement, and Executive Leadership.
• Conduct regular customer visits to understand operational challenges, future capital investment plans, and growth initiatives.
• Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction through responsive communication and collaboration with internal teams.

Solution Selling & Technical Leadership

• Assess customer production processes and identify opportunities for equipment upgrades, line optimization, automation, and integration.
• Collaborate with Product Specialists, Engineering, Applications, and Service teams to develop comprehensive technical solutions.
• Lead customer presentations, workshops, plant assessments, equipment demonstrations, and proposal reviews.
• Support development of budgetary proposals, quotations, ROI analyses, and capital investment justifications.

Market & Competitive Analysis

• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, customer requirements, and competitive activity within the slicing, loading, and packaging segments.
• Identify opportunities to expand market share and increase penetration within strategic accounts.
• Provide market intelligence and customer feedback to product management and leadership teams.

Sales Operations & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate opportunity management, forecasting, and customer activity records within CRM systems.
• Work closely with Territory Managers, Strategic Account Managers, Service Sales, and Product Specialists to coordinate customer engagement activities.
• Participate in trade shows, industry conferences, customer events, and marketing initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical business practices.

Additional Responsibilities

• Negotiate commercial agreements to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Continuously develop product, application, and industry knowledge.
• Operate effectively within a matrix organization while driving cross-functional collaboration and customer success.

Your Profile / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Business, Marketing, or related field highly preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in technical B2B sales, capital equipment sales, account management, or a customer-facing industrial sales role highly preferred.
• Proven success selling capital equipment, automation systems, packaging equipment, food processing equipment, or integrated production line solutions.
• Demonstrated achievement of sales targets, order intake objectives, and territory growth initiatives.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems (SAP C4C, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and sales reporting tools.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to develop ROI and value-based sales strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, accounts, and priorities while achieving sales targets.
• Strong consultative selling and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 70% throughout North America.

Experience with one or more of the following technologies and applications is highly desirable:

• High-speed slicing systems
• Product loading and distribution systems
• Thermoforming and tray sealing systems
• Flow wrapping equipment
• Bagging and vertical packaging systems
• End-of-line automation
• Integrated production and packaging lines
• Prepared foods, protein, cheese, bakery, snack foods, or ready-meal manufacturing environments

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States.

The pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and/or equity awards.

Please note: This position is based in the United States and does not offer visa or work sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

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