Our client, a global leader in explosion protection technology, providing electrical products and systems that keep industrial facilities safe in hazardous (classified) environments. They are seeking a driven and technically capable Area Sales Manager to support growth across key industrial markets in Texas. This role is responsible for both developing new business and managing existing strategic accounts, with a focus on selling hazardous-area electrical and automation solutions such as explosion-proof enclosures, lighting, control panels, and automation components.

Target industries include EPCs, Oil & Gas (upstream, midstream, downstream), petrochemical and chemical, LNG, industrial manufacturing, and energy transition sectors including hydrogen and power.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop new business opportunities with EPCs, OEMs, end users, and distributors
• Manage and grow existing strategic accounts within the territory
• Drive specification-based selling by engaging early with engineers and project teams
• Build strong relationships with engineering, operations, and procurement stakeholders
• Manage and develop distributor partnerships to expand market reach
• Maintain and manage a project pipeline with sales cycles ranging from 1 to 18 months
• Review and interpret project specifications, drawings, and equipment schedules
• Collaborate with internal teams including engineering, inside sales, and quotations
• Execute a territory strategy to increase revenue and market share

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial sales, preferably within:
• Hazardous-area / explosion-proof solutions
• Industrial electrical equipment
• Automation or instrumentation
• Electrical distribution (outside sales) or manufacturers’ reps
• Proven track record of new business development and account growth
• Experience managing a quota in the range of $3M–$10M
• Ability to manage long, project-based sales cycles

Technical Requirements:

• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems and applications
• Ability to understand hazardous area classifications (Class I Div 1/2, Zone 1/2) preferred
• Comfortable reading and interpreting:
• Project specifications
• General arrangement drawings
• Equipment schedules
• Ability to confidently engage with engineers and technical stakeholders

Core Competencies:

• Hunter mentality with strong prospecting skills
• Technically credible and confident
• Highly organized with strong pipeline management
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset