Inside Sales Manager - Gears - Chicago, IL

Inside Sales Manager

This Chicago-area manufacturer has been producing high-precision gears and gearboxes since the late 1800s and operates multiple facilities with more than 200 employees. The company serves demanding industries such as oil and gas, mining, rail, renewable energy, and power generation, offering custom gearing solutions, rebuilds, and reverse engineering. Backed by private equity ownership, it continues to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies and has been recognized as a founding member of the American Gear Manufacturers Association.

Job Description

A results-driven Inside Sales Manager is needed to lead and evolve inside sales and customer service operations. This role will manage a team responsible for handling customer inquiries, generating quotes, processing orders, and ensuring a seamless customer experience from initial contact through delivery. The position will collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, production, and field sales teams to provide technical solutions and contribute to business growth.

Oversee all aspects of customer communication, order entry, quoting, forecasting, and feedback. Manage and track customer communications using CRM tools, ensuring proper documentation and timely follow-up. Monitor and communicate customer-driven schedule changes, coordinating approvals before updates are confirmed. Lead regular customer update calls and provide follow-up communication to ensure clarity and accountability. Track and resolve customer or internal issues with clear action items, ownership, and deadlines. Oversee the quote process, ensuring timely coordination with quality, operations, and finance stakeholders. Ensure all quotes are completed on time, followed up on, and escalated if necessary. Monitor customer forecasts, delivery metrics, and demand accuracy, providing timely updates and recommendations. Support product development input and manage requests for quotes to align with customer expectations. Oversee customer portal management, ensuring accurate updates on delivery status, scheduling changes, and product availability. Lead weekly reviews of delivery metrics, customer commitments, and status updates with internal leadership.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Work Experience: 5+ years of experience in inside sales or customer service within an industrial manufacturing environment. 2+ years of leadership or team management experience.

Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Knowledge of gear manufacturing, gearboxes, or precision-machined components is a plus. Must demonstrate superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, along with a strong sense of urgency. Ability to handle confidential information with discretion. Strong analytical, time management, and reasoning abilities. High energy, results-oriented, and comfortable interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Must be proactive, confident, and decisive, with the ability to produce accurate, high-quality work while balancing multiple business priorities. Looking for someone assertive, passionate, and diplomatic who can deliver high-quality results efficiently and effectively. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can work independently while also mentoring and supporting a team.

What's on Offer

$100,000 - $130,000 base salary. Annual bonus based on company performance. Health, vision, dental insurance plans. 401K with employer match. PTO package + annual holidays and sick time.