Area Channel Manager - Distributor Development

Company Overview:

Mahr Inc., headquartered in Providence, RI, is a leading metrology specialist with over 160 years of experience producing dimensional measurement equipment ranging from handheld gauges to advanced measurement systems. The company serves manufacturers across numerous industries and invests heavily in employee training, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits.

Position Overview:

The Area Channel Manager – Distributor Development is responsible for identifying, qualifying, and developing new distributor partners across the United States. The role focuses on structured business development, disciplined qualification, and expanding Mahr’s national distributor network through a milestone-driven sales process.

Primary Objectives:

• Expand Mahr’s distributor footprint by converting qualified prospects into committed channel partners
• Protect sales resources by advancing only strategically aligned distributor opportunities
• Build a predictable pipeline of qualified distributor opportunities supporting national growth

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a disciplined prospecting strategy for new distributor partners
• Lead professional discovery conversations with prospective distributors
• Qualify and disqualify opportunities based on strategic fit, commercial alignment, and growth potential
• Manage the distributor development process through defined milestones and commitments
• Coordinate internal resources after qualification criteria are met
• Support onboarding and launch planning for new distributor partners
• Maintain accurate CRM pipeline, forecasting, and activity reporting
• Represent Mahr professionally at distributor meetings, field visits, and industry events

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of industrial sales, channel sales, distributor development, or business development experience
• Proven hunter with experience opening new accounts or channel partners
• Experience leading discovery-based business conversations with decision-makers
• Comfortable qualifying and disqualifying opportunities
• Experience working with industrial distributors or technical sales organizations. Technical degree or equivalent military/on-the-job training required; Engineering, Business, or Marketing degree preferred
• Metrology, precision measurement, instrumentation, or industrial manufacturing experience preferred
• Strong planning, organization, follow-up, CRM, and reporting skills
• Willingness to travel extensively

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• Extensive training and professional development
• Opportunity to drive national channel growth with a market-leading metrology manufacturer