Key Account Manager - South Central USA
Kinetic Search Group · Houston, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- Houston, TX
Job highlights
- Drive strategic growth in South Central USA.
- Build new customer partnerships from scratch.
- Sell industrial safety and PPE solutions.
- Work with distribution and end-users.
- Hunter role with uncapped commission.
About the role
Key Account Manager - South Central USA
Our client, a global leader in industrial safety solutions, is seeking a high-performing Key Account Manager to drive strategic growth across the South Central United States. This is a true hunter-style role designed for a sales professional who thrives on building business from the ground up, opening new doors, and creating long-term customer partnerships in industrial and safety-focused markets.
The organization is a well-established international manufacturer with a strong footprint across North America and operations in more than 100 countries worldwide. Known for delivering innovative personal protective equipment (PPE), industrial safety products, and compliance-driven solutions, the company supports customers across construction, manufacturing, energy, utilities, forestry, mining, transportation, and heavy industrial sectors.
About the Role
The Key Account Manager will focus on identifying, developing, and converting new end-user opportunities throughout the assigned territory. This role is heavily focused on business development and strategic account acquisition, with an emphasis on creating end-user demand and driving business through established distribution partnerships.
The successful candidate will work directly with safety leaders, procurement teams, operations management, and executive stakeholders to position industry-leading safety solutions that improve compliance, performance, and operational efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Prospect and develop new strategic end-user accounts across the territory
- Build relationships with safety professionals, procurement leaders, plant operations teams, and other decision-makers
- Execute a pull-through sales strategy by generating demand at the end-user level and routing opportunities through distribution partners
- Conduct site visits, product demonstrations, safety assessments, and field trials
- Identify conversion opportunities and strategic growth targets within large industrial accounts
- Collaborate with distributor partners on joint sales calls and customer development initiatives
- Maintain a strong pipeline and provide accurate forecasting and activity reporting
- Partner cross-functionally with internal sales, customer support, marketing, and product teams
- Monitor competitive activity, market trends, and regional project opportunities
- Represent the organization at trade shows, customer meetings, and industry events
Qualifications
- 3+ years of outside sales, territory management, business development, or key account experience
- Proven success in prospecting and closing new business opportunities
- Experience selling through distribution channels strongly preferred
- Background in PPE, industrial products, safety solutions, construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, utilities, mining, forestry, or related sectors is highly desirable
- Strong presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
- Comfortable working independently within a large geographic territory
- Strong organizational and communication abilities
- Ability to travel regularly throughout the U.S. and Canada
- Valid driver's license and ability to cross the U.S./Canada border
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Uncapped commission structure tied to new business growth
- Monthly vehicle allowance and company fuel program
- Company-provided technology package
- Comprehensive benefits program
- Significant earning potential tied to account acquisition and long-term revenue growth
Ideal Candidate
This opportunity is ideal for a driven sales professional who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities, and winning new business in industrial environments. The successful individual will be entrepreneurial, resilient, and motivated by performance-based success within a growing international organization.
Key skills/competency
- Key Account Management
- Business Development
- Sales
- Territory Management
- Industrial Safety Solutions
- New Business Acquisition
- Distribution Sales
- Relationship Building
- Negotiation
- Pipeline Management
Skills & topics
- Key Account Manager
- Sales
- Business Development
- Territory Management
- Industrial Safety
- PPE
- New Business
- Hunter Sales
- Account Acquisition
- Distribution Sales
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 3+ years of sales, business development, or key account management experience, emphasizing success in prospecting and closing new business. Quantify achievements whenever possible.
- Showcase relevant industry experience: Emphasize any background in PPE, industrial products, safety solutions, or the specific sectors mentioned (construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, etc.).
- Demonstrate distribution channel expertise: If you have experience selling through distribution partners, make this prominent in your application.
- Quantify your hunter mentality: Provide examples of how you've successfully built business from the ground up and exceeded targets in large geographic territories.
- Prepare for travel and independence: Be ready to discuss your ability to manage a large territory, travel regularly, and work autonomously during the interview process.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary focus of the Key Account Manager role at Kinetic Search Group?
- The primary focus of the Key Account Manager role is strategic growth and business development within the South Central USA territory, specifically by identifying, developing, and converting new end-user opportunities in industrial and safety markets.
- What industry experience is most desirable for this Key Account Manager position?
- Experience in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), industrial products, safety solutions, construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, utilities, mining, forestry, or related sectors is highly desirable for this role.
- How does the compensation structure work for the Key Account Manager?
- The compensation includes a competitive base salary plus an uncapped commission structure directly tied to new business growth, offering significant earning potential based on account acquisition and long-term revenue.
- Is this Key Account Manager role remote, hybrid, or on-site?
- This role is a hunter-style outside sales position requiring regular travel throughout a large geographic territory (U.S. and Canada), suggesting it is primarily field-based rather than remote or hybrid in a traditional office sense.
- What are the key responsibilities of the Key Account Manager at Kinetic Search Group?
- Key responsibilities include prospecting and developing new accounts, building relationships with decision-makers, generating end-user demand, collaborating with distributors, managing a sales pipeline, and representing the company at industry events.
- What qualifications are essential for the Key Account Manager to have?
- Essential qualifications include 3+ years of outside sales/business development experience, proven success in closing new business, strong presentation and negotiation skills, and the ability to work independently in a large territory.
- Does Kinetic Search Group prefer candidates with experience selling through distribution?
- Yes, experience selling through distribution channels is strongly preferred for this Key Account Manager position, as the role involves a pull-through sales strategy working with distribution partners.