Sales Application Engineer – Cutting Tools (Michigan Territory)
Location: Remote – Based in Michigan
Territory: State of Michigan (primary focus on Lower Peninsula)
Position Overview
We are seeking a Sales Application Engineer to drive revenue growth across Michigan, with a strong concentration in the Lower Peninsula. This role combines technical application expertise with a proactive sales approach, focused on expanding market share through end-user engagement while leveraging industrial distribution partners for execution.
The product portfolio is primarily standard solid carbide and indexable tooling, requiring a high-activity, results-oriented individual who can identify cost-saving opportunities, convert competitive business, and build long-term customer relationships. This position plays a critical role in generating demand at the end-user level and pulling that demand through the distribution channel.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive territory sales growth by identifying, developing, and closing new business opportunities
- Call on end users to evaluate machining processes and implement cost-saving tooling solutions
- Partner closely with distribution sales teams to increase product pull-through and territory coverage
- Conduct tool evaluations, application trials, and troubleshooting to demonstrate performance improvements
- Convert competitive tooling through demonstrated cost-per-part reductions and process optimization
- Train and support distributor sales representatives on products, positioning, and application strategies
- Maintain a strong pipeline through consistent prospecting and account management
- Collaborate with internal teams to support key accounts and align on growth strategies
- Track sales activity, opportunities, and forecasts through CRM systems
- Stay current on market trends, competitor activity, and evolving machining technologies
Qualifications
- 3–10+ years of experience in cutting tools, machining, or industrial sales
- Strong understanding of CNC machining processes (milling, drilling, and/or turning)
- Experience with standard cutting tools (solid carbide and/or indexable)
- Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and winning competitive business
- Experience working with industrial distribution partners
- Ability to identify and communicate cost savings and productivity improvements
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage a large, geographically diverse territory
- Willingness to travel throughout Michigan (approximately 50–70%)
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in a Sales Engineer, Application Engineer, or Territory Manager role
- Established relationships within Michigan’s manufacturing base (automotive, aerospace, general industrial, etc.)
- Familiarity with materials such as steels, stainless, aluminum, and cast iron
What Success Looks Like
- Achieving and exceeding territory revenue targets
- Increasing market share through new account penetration and competitive conversions
- Building strong, revenue-generating partnerships with distribution
- Delivering measurable cost savings and improved machining performance for customers
- Maintaining a high level of activity and visibility across the Michigan market