A R Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Establish sales presence in the greater Milwaukee area or greater Chicago area Region. Create competitive advantage as product knowledge expert with accompanied technical aptitude. Critical focus on customer retention and new business development in the market.  Uncover gaps, solve business challenges, and effectively sell a system solution (machine & consumable).

Job Responsibilities:

Establish sales development strategy to identify, qualify and sell to new customers in territory. Build relationships and prioritize retention/ growth with channel partners and end users.  Coordinate product management, production teams and other support resources to maximize customer satisfaction.

• Meet or exceed assigned sales budget (AOP) for consumables and machinery.
• Leverage consultative approach and effectively articulate value proposition.  Creatively differentiate through sales cycle and secure business long-term by selling the benefits of a system (machine & consumable).
• Interact with existing customer base in territory.  Retain and expand business.
• Prospect new business in the territory by targeting and penetrating end-users, leading the sales cycle, and closing the business.
• Establish effective presentations and deliver compelling sales models to prospective customers. Close sales.
• Initiate and quote new items. Establish coordination with operations, customer service, and engineering, new product development to deliver competitive and effective quotes. Actively participate in regional business teams to establish overall business strategy for region.
• Establish legitimate sales forecasts within assigned territory to plan for overall sales volume and profit. Regularly analyze market position, profitability and competitive impact. Track and report on new business or customers from identification to securing sales orders, product delivery and payment.
• Exercise critical thinking and conflict management skills effectively to satisfy customer expectations.
• Manage all administrative duties within region in a timely and accurate fashion. Service assigned accounts, supporting A/R, managing T&E, disciplined CRM updates, fulfill quote requests, order submission, etc.

Required Education, Experience & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years sales experience.
• Sales and marketing experience in protective packaging or other industrial/distributor product lines.
• Experience managing customer (distributor and end user), broker, and vendor relationships. Specific industry experience preferred.
• Ability to frequently travel by plane or company provided car.
• Handling bulky product samples and systems equipment.
• Highly effective communication skills, preparing and presenting compelling sales information. Negotiations effectiveness.
• Ability to understand and utilize technical and financial data.
• Strong computer skills for effective analysis, presentation and communication.
• Strong demonstration of sales skills and attention to detail.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

As a growth-driven organization with a leadership position in protective packaging, Pregis is looking for a Systems Solutions Manager to drive sales performance and elevate customer experience across the West Region. This role is a critical part of our strategy to deliver value through equipment, automation, and solution selling.

Travel: Up to 50%

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE:

Reporting to the Senior Director of Sales – West Region, the Systems Solutions Manager will lead the charge in driving growth, maximizing equipment ROI, and retaining strategic customers in the Northwest. This is a high-impact role that blends sales strategy, field execution, and cross-functional leadership — with direct influence on Account Manager performance and customer outcomes.

KEY MEASURES:

• Achievement vs. revenue plan (AOP)
• Retention and growth of Key Accounts and MLA customers Equipment utilization Field development of Account Managers CRM opportunity creation and visit activity

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• Identify and convert new business opportunities within the region
• Lead system and automation sales strategy to deliver compelling ROI to customers
• Develop and support Account Managers in solution selling and strategic execution
• Retain and expand high-value accounts, including MLA customers
• Partner cross-functionally with Service, Ops, and Engineering teams on customer installs and quotes
• Support and influence multi-location accounts across regions
• Manage sales forecasting, pipeline, and account activity via CRM
• Deliver engaging customer presentations and tailored value propositions
• Oversee admin tasks including exception pricing, AR support, and T&E compliance

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 5+ years in sales, ideally within packaging, industrial products, or distribution
• Proven success in solution selling to end users and/or through distributors
• Strong analytical, financial, and technical acumen
• Effective communicator and presenter with excellent negotiation skills
• Experience leading without authority and influencing field teams
• Comfortable handling packaging systems and product samples
• Ability to travel regularly throughout the territory (up to 50%)

YOU ARE:

• A results-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-autonomy role
• A compelling communicator who can build trust from the warehouse floor to the C-suite
• Passionate about solving problems and creating competitive advantages for your customers
• Energized by developing others and elevating team performance

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