We'll
find your
Sales Manager.
Find a sales manager - through targeted direct approach for your sales territory
A successful sales manager ensures that market potential is converted into actual turnover. They acquire new customers, develop existing business relationships and are responsible for ensuring that a sales territory is not only managed but systematically expanded.
The challenge: Truly talented sales managers are rarely visible on the open recruitment market.
As specialist head-hunters for sales managers, we fill operational sales roles through targeted direct outreach - nationally, internationally and, where required, across multiple regions simultaneously. For over 25 years, we have been helping companies recruit sales professionals who understand their industry, work independently and have a proven track record of sales success.
We don’t just provide you with any old candidates. We find sales managers who will genuinely drive your sales territory forward.
A vacant sales territory costs you revenue every day
The consequences of a vacant sales manager position are often underestimated. Whilst the search for a suitable candidate is underway internally, customer contacts remain unaddressed, new market potential goes untapped and planned sales activities are put on hold.
Existing customers receive less attention. Competitors exploit the gap to strengthen their position. At the same time, sales management and colleagues have to take on the additional responsibility of looking after the vacant territory - often at the expense of their own tasks and targets.
The risk of making a poor placement is even greater.
A candidate may come across as convincing in an interview yet still lack the necessary closing skills, initiative or perseverance to build up a sales territory. If they also lack an understanding of the industry or technical know-how, valuable months will pass before it becomes apparent that the placement is not working out.
The longer a sales territory remains vacant or is filled by the wrong person, the greater the impact on turnover, customer loyalty and market share.
That is precisely why selecting a sales manager is far more than just an ordinary recruitment decision.
Why many companies struggle to find the right sales manager
The best sales managers are not actively looking for a new job.
Successful sales professionals are well-established in their territory, have relevant customer contacts and are valued by their current employer. They rarely respond to job adverts or standardised recruitment campaigns. To attract them, you need to approach them in a targeted, personalised way, offering a compelling opportunity.
A compelling CV does not in itself prove a track record of success.
Sales success cannot be judged solely on the basis of job titles and employers. What matters is how a sales manager develops markets, wins customers, steers sales processes and deals with setbacks. These skills only become apparent during professional and personal interviews.
An understanding of the industry and the product is crucial in sales.
In technical B2B sales in particular, general sales experience is not enough. A sales manager must understand complex products, communicate their benefits and be able to speak to the relevant decision-makers on an equal footing. Standard searches often fail to take these differences sufficiently into account.
Multiple regions mean a multiplied search effort.
When several sales territories or countries need to be staffed simultaneously, the effort involved increases significantly. Different markets, languages and regional requirements call for a coordinated search - and a partner who doesn’t have to start from scratch in every territory.
What sets SALESJOB apart from traditional recruitment consultancies
Access to sales professionals whom others cannot reach
Our search is based on direct, personalised outreach, targeted market research and a Europe-wide network of over 16,800 sales contacts. This enables us to reach sales managers who are currently in successful roles and not actively looking for a new position.Sales expertise rather than mere CV screening
We do not assess candidates solely on the basis of their previous roles. In a face-to-face interview, we examine how they develop sales territories, acquire new customers, expand existing customer relationships and achieve their targets. This enables us to identify who can actually sell - and who merely has a convincing CV.Experience in technical and international sales
For over 25 years, SALESJOB has focused exclusively on sales and sales-related roles. We understand the specific requirements of technical B2B sales as well as the challenges of international sales territories. This enables us to engage with candidates on a professional level and assess their experience realistically.Europe-wide search from a single source
Whether in Germany, Austria or other European markets: we identify suitable sales managers in the relevant target region and approach them personally. We also centrally coordinate parallel recruitment for multiple countries or sales territories. You will be assigned a single point of contact and given a transparent overview of the entire search process.Transparent fixed-fee arrangement instead of a percentage commission
We work on the basis of a fixed fee agreed in advance, rather than a percentage commission based on the eventual annual salary. This provides clear budgetary certainty and ensures that our recommendation remains independent of the level of the agreed salary.Guarantee extending beyond the placement
Should the sales manager we place leave your company within the first six months, we will refill the position once, free of charge. In this way, we reduce your risk and give you additional planning certainty.
How we work
Every successful search begins with a clear understanding of the sales territory. Only once we know which customers, products, markets and objectives define the role do we begin to target suitable candidates.
We understand your sales territory
No search based on a generic job description. Through in-depth discussions, we clarify which region is to be covered, which target customers are relevant, and what professional and personal qualifications your new sales manager must possess. Together, we refine a precise requirements profile - from industry and product experience to closing skills, willingness to travel and regional networks.
Targeted direct approach - including internationally
We identify suitable sales managers in the relevant market and approach them personally – even if they are currently employed and not actively seeking a new role. For international searches, we take into account regional market conditions, language skills and cultural nuances. Multiple sales territories can be handled in parallel.
Quality over quantity
We assess sales experience, demonstrable sales achievements, motivation and personal fit through face-to-face interviews. You will not receive a confusing collection of CVs, but a carefully curated selection of qualified sales professionals. This ensures you only hold interviews that are truly worth your time. On average, it takes three months from the initial analysis to filling the sales manager position.
How we determine whether a sales manager is a good fit for your company
A successful Sales Manager is far more than just an articulate salesperson. They take responsibility for their territory, identify business opportunities and consistently drive sales processes through to completion.
Thanks to our many years’ experience in sales, we know which skills are truly crucial in an operational sales role. That is why we assess not only the candidate’s career history to date, but also their working style, motivation, customer focus and measurable sales achievements.
- Closing deals rather than just being sociable
A good sales manager does more than just build relationships. They identify needs, develop concrete solutions and consistently see decisions through to a successful close. That is why we pay close attention to how candidates structure sales processes, handle objections and remain committed even during longer decision-making cycles. - Developing a sales territory independently
Successful territory managers do not wait for ready-made leads. They analyse their market potential, prioritise target customers and systematically build new business relationships. To do this, they need initiative, perseverance and the ability to plan and manage their activities independently. - Acquiring and nurturing customers in the long term
Sustainable sales do not end with the first order. A strong sales manager identifies additional potential, builds trust and strategically develops customer relationships. In B2B sales in particular, reliability, advisory expertise and a long-term understanding of the customer’s business are crucial. - Truly understanding products and markets
In technical sales, a sales manager must be able to grasp complex products and solutions. Only then can they clearly communicate their benefits and engage with technical and commercial decision-makers on an equal footing. The more sophisticated the product, the more important it is to have the ability to learn, an understanding of the industry and professional credibility. - Knowing the figures and taking responsibility
A sales manager bears responsibility for the turnover, pipeline and forecast for their territory. That is why we assess whether candidates can work with CRM systems and sales metrics, and whether they can realistically evaluate their results. What matters is not only which targets have been met, but also how predictable these results were and how sustainable they are. - Personality and team fit
Even a successful individual salesperson is not automatically the right fit. Their working style, communication skills and values must align with the sales organisation and your company’s culture. That is why, alongside professional qualifications, we always take personal fit into account.
It is precisely this combination of closing ability, personal responsibility, market understanding and personality that we look for in every placement – so that your new sales manager not only takes over a territory but also achieves sustainable growth there.
Michael Lainer, COO
Michael Lainer is your point of contact for filling operational sales manager roles – particularly in technical and international sales. Thanks to his technical background in electrical and automation engineering, he understands not only the requirements for successful sales professionals, but also the products, markets and customer groups in which they operate.
In face-to-face interviews, he assesses whether candidates can convincingly sell complex solutions, independently develop a sales territory and communicate on an equal footing with technical and commercial decision-makers.
This combination of technical expertise and sales experience enables a well-informed selection process - particularly in sectors such as electrical engineering, automation technology and mechanical engineering.
Let’s discuss your vacant sales manager position
Are you looking for a sales manager who can win new customers, expand existing business relationships and develop your sales territory sustainably?
Then let’s have a non-binding discussion about your requirements. You’ll receive a realistic assessment of how we would approach the search, which candidate profiles are suitable and what the next steps would be.
Frequently asked questions
How do you find sales managers who aren’t actively looking for a new role?
We identify qualified sales managers through targeted market research and direct, personalised approach. This enables us to reach sales professionals who are currently in successful roles and do not respond to job adverts or traditional recruitment campaigns. In addition, we utilise our Europe-wide network of over 16,800 sales contacts.
What sets SALESJOB apart from other recruitment consultancies?
SALESJOB has specialised exclusively in sales for over 25 years. We combine direct, personalised approach with in-depth sales expertise, a Europe-wide network and a transparent fixed-price model. As a result, you won’t receive just any candidates, but carefully selected sales managers with the right industry, regional and sales experience.
How do you ensure that a sales manager can actually sell?
We don’t just review CVs; we talk to candidates in detail about their past sales achievements, new customer acquisition, sales cycles and the development of sales territories. This enables us to better assess whether a sales manager actually possesses strong closing skills and demonstrable sales experience.
Do you also fill several sales manager positions at the same time?
Yes. SALESJOB can fill several sales manager positions simultaneously - for example, for different regions, sales territories or countries. The searches are coordinated centrally, whilst being tailored to the respective markets, languages and technical requirements.
Do you also recruit sales managers internationally?
Yes. We search for sales managers across Europe and approach suitable candidates directly in their respective markets. In doing so, we take into account, amongst other things, regional sales experience, language skills, willingness to travel and existing contacts with relevant target customers.
How long does it take to fill a sales manager position?
On average, it takes approximately three months to fill a sales manager position. The exact duration depends on the region, industry, product complexity and job requirements. Where multiple roles are being filled simultaneously, several sales territories can be handled at the same time.
How much does it cost to recruit a sales manager?
At SALESJOB, the recruitment is carried out at a fixed price agreed in advance. The fee is not calculated as a percentage of the candidate’s future annual salary. This means you know the costs before the search begins and can plan your recruitment budget with confidence.