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Distributor Development Manager Jobs in Michigan

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Distributor Development Manager information

What is a distributor development manager?

Distributor Development Managers are professionals responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with distributors to drive sales growth and market expansion. They identify potential distributors, provide training and support, and monitor performance to ensure alignment with company goals. Their role often involves developing sales strategies, negotiating contracts, and analyzing market trends to optimize distribution channels. By fostering partnerships and ensuring effective communication, they help maximize product reach and business success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a distributor development manager?

To thrive as a Distributor Development Manager, you need expertise in sales management, channel development, and market analysis, often supported by a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. Proficiency with CRM systems, sales analytics tools, and distribution management software is typically required. Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and communication skills help foster long-term partnerships and drive distributor performance. These competencies are essential to maximize distribution efficiency, expand market reach, and achieve business growth targets.

How does a distributor development manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to support distributor growth?

As a Distributor Development Manager, you will frequently work with cross-functional teams such as sales, marketing, supply chain, and customer support to drive distributor performance. This collaboration involves sharing market insights, aligning promotional strategies, coordinating inventory and logistics support, and ensuring consistent messaging to partners. Regular meetings and joint planning sessions are common, allowing you to leverage the expertise of each department and deliver comprehensive solutions to distributors. This teamwork enhances distributor engagement and helps achieve growth targets more efficiently.

What is the difference between Distributor Development Manager vs Sales Representative?

AspectDistributor Development ManagerSales Representative
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; experience in distribution or salesHigh school diploma or equivalent; sales experience often preferred
Work EnvironmentOffice-based with travel to distributor sitesField-based, visiting clients and customers
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturers, wholesalers, and distribution companiesRetailers, direct sales companies, and various industries
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in distribution channels and developmentSales activities and customer engagement

The Distributor Development Manager focuses on building and maintaining relationships with distribution partners, developing strategies to expand distribution channels, and ensuring distributor performance aligns with company goals. In contrast, a Sales Representative primarily engages directly with customers to sell products and meet sales targets. While both roles involve sales skills, the Distributor Development Manager has a broader strategic and relationship management focus within distribution networks.

Is being a distributor development manager a stressful job?

A distributor development manager role can be stressful due to targets for sales growth, managing multiple distributor relationships, and meeting performance metrics. The job often requires strong communication, problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle pressure in a fast-paced environment.

What are popular job titles related to Distributor Development Manager jobs in Michigan?

For Distributor Development Manager jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Distributor Development Manager jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Distributor Development Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Distributor Development Manager job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Sales Engineer - Domestic U.S. & European Territories

Humphrey Products

Kalamazoo, MI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description


Sales Engineer - Domestic U.S. & European Territories
Summary Job Description:
Humphrey Products Company is a Kalamazoo-based manufacturer of pneumatic valves and control components serving the medical, instrumentation, material handling, agriculture, industrial, and transportation markets.
We are seeking a high-performing Sales Engineer to drive new business growth across both domestic U.S. and European territories. This role combines strong technical acumen with consultative selling capability to identify, develop, and close new opportunities with OEM and distribution partners. The Sales Engineer serves as the primary technical and commercial liaison between customers and the Humphrey organization. A portion of compensation is directly tied to successful closure of new business opportunities.
Key responsibilities:
Business Development & Account Management
• Identify and develop new customers, applications, and markets
• Support existing customers and distributors within the assigned region
• Execute company sales and marketing strategies
• Perform technical product demonstrations with strong proficiency
• Conduct joint fieldwork with distributors to present engineered solutions
• Interface directly with OEM prospects when opportunities warrant
Distributor Management
• Evaluate existing distributors based on performance and growth potential
• Identify and recruit new distributors in underperforming territories
• Gather and analyze prospective sales data to support channel decisions
• Train distributors on Humphrey products, engineered solutions, and systems
• Visit each distributor at least annually to drive incremental growth
European Market Expansion
• Develop a strategic roadmap for European market growth
• Identify priority countries and vertical opportunities
• Collaborate with U.S. trade resources to identify qualified medical-focused distributors
• Assess and onboard new European channel partners
• Support ongoing distributor development through training and joint sales activity
Technical & Internal Collaboration
• Provide pre-sales application engineering support within the territory
• Coordinate deeper technical engagement with Humphrey engineering when required
• Deliver structured feedback to product management and development teams
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, planning, and production teams
Reporting & CRM Discipline
• Maintain accurate opportunity documentation in the company CRM
• Provide weekly activity reporting
• Submit monthly forecast updates via Sales Engineer Performance Reports
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, or related Engineering field (REQUIRED)
• Minimum 10 years of technical sales experience with pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromechanical components and systems
• Minimum 2 years of customer-facing application engineering experience
• Strong relationship-building and customer engagement skills
• Proficiency with modern CRM and digital communication tools
• Strong technical writing and presentation capability
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with small cross-functional teams
• Comfortable operating from a home office
• Must be willing to travel up to 70% of the time.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in medical device or life science applications
• Experience managing distributor networks
• Background in fluid power or precision pneumatic systems
Additional Business or Entrepreneurship education is a plus
Rating:
• Position Type: Full-time, salaried position
• Reports to: Sales Manager
www.humphrey-products.com
Humphrey Products Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer
ISO 9001:2015 Certified