Account Manager/ Sales Engineer

Exp working at or with major distributors

Ability to develop relationship

Relevant industry experience

Position Overview

·        Client is seeking a high-caliber, strategic Senior Account Manager (Distribution Sales) to oversee and accelerate our distribution channel network in the greater Chicago region.

·        This senior-level role is designed for a local industry expert who excels at building deeply rooted relationships with top-tier electronic component distributors.

·        The ideal candidate will have extensive experience either working directly within a major distributor or managing major distribution accounts from the manufacturer side. You will be responsible for driving demand creation, alignment, and revenue growth through our channel partners across the territory.

Key Responsibilities

·        Distribution Strategy & Channel Management

·        Manage, develop, and optimize sales strategies with major regional and global electronic component distributors (e.g., Arrow, Avnet, DigiKey, Mouser, Future Electronics, etc.).

·        Drive branch-level engagement across distributor locations in the Chicago territory to ensure Client is top-of-mind for their sales teams.

·        Conduct regular distributor training sessions, seminars, and joint customer visits to drive mindshare and pipeline growth.

·        Relationship Development & Demand Creation

·        Build and sustain deep, multi-level relationships with distributor leadership, product managers, and field application engineers (FAEs).

·        Collaboratively identify and track design-in opportunities, converting distributor pipelines into qualified, long-term revenue.

·        Act as the primary escalation point for distribution partners regarding pricing, inventory allocation, ship-and-debit programs, and contract negotiations.

·        Market Analysis & Execution

·        Analyze distribution point-of-sale (POS) and point-of-purchase (POP) data to identify market trends, forecasting gaps, and growth opportunities.

·        Deliver accurate monthly and quarterly sales forecasts for the distribution channel to regional leadership.

·        Coordinate with client’s internal factory, engineering, and customer service teams to ensure seamless distribution support.

Qualifications & Requirements

·        Location: Must be a Chicago local with deep knowledge of the regional tech and manufacturing landscape.

·        Experience: 6–10+ years of successful sales experience, specifically focused on Distribution Sales or channel management within the electronics industry.

·        Distributor Expertise: Proven track record working at a major distributor or managing relationships with major distributors on behalf of a component manufacturer.

·        Relationship Building: Exceptional ability to network, build rapport, and influence partners at all levels—from counter sales to executive leadership.

·        Industry Knowledge: Deep familiarity with electronic components, passives, semiconductors, or hardware manufacturing ecosystems.

·        Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or Engineering is preferred.