MRO Sales Manager, North Central Job

Primary location: Chicago, Illinois 
Relocation offered: No 
Employment status: Full-Time 
Travel: >50% 
Non-compete: Yes 
Location: Work from home position located in Chicago, Illinois 

The estimated base salary range for this role is $90,000 to $120,000 per year.  
Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors (salary may be adjusted based on geographic location)

​What does it mean to work at Armstrong?

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.

By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of your potential. Alongside a competitive remuneration package, you will receive:

• A benefits package including: medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, 401k match, long-term disability coverage, vacation and sick time, product discount programs and many more.
• Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.
• A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration. We draw on each other's strengths and allow for different work styles to build engagement and satisfaction to deliver results. 

As a MRO Sales Manager focused on the MRO channel, you will be the go-to expert for Armstrong World Industries’ ceiling solutions, driving growth through strategic collaboration with Grainger’s sales teams. Your mission is to empower Grainger sellers, deliver exceptional value to shared customers, and position Armstrong as the preferred ceiling solution provider across all key verticals including Commercial, Manufacturing, Government and Healthcare.

This role is ideal for a customer-obsessed sales specialist with deep MRO industry knowledge, a strong understanding of Grainger’s go-to-market strategy, and a passion for enabling distributor success. You will report directly to the MRO Sales Manager.

What’s in it for you!

• Make a visible impact on sales growth and customer success.
• Partner with industry-leading organizations and decision-makers.
• Expand your network across multiple industries and market segments.

What You’ll Do

• Drive Growth Through Partnership: Execute Armstrong’s sales strategy within a multi-state territory by building strong, trust-based relationships with Grainger Sales Leadership and Account Managers. Align on shared goals and execute joint business plans that drive revenue, margin, and market share.
• Enable Grainger Sellers: Serve as a category expert and trusted advisor, delivering impactful product training, sales enablement tools, and technical support to help Grainger teams confidently position Armstrong solutions.
• Deliver Customer-Centric Solutions: Collaborate with Grainger to identify and close new business opportunities, by uncovering customer needs and delivering tailored ceiling replacement and upgrade solutions.
• Execute with Excellence: Own territory performance and deliver results aligned with Armstrong’s KPIs—product promotions, pricing, gross margin, and market share—while managing expenses within policy.
• Leverage Data to Drive Action: Use customer COGS data, Salesforce insights, and internal reporting to identify trends, optimize performance, and uncover new opportunities.
• Create Demand at the Facility Level: Partner with Grainger Account Managers to conduct facility assessments, identify ceiling replacement needs, and develop compelling findings reports that drive pull-through demand.
• Promote Accountability and Follow-Through: Implement structured follow-up strategies to ensure execution of recommended upgrades and track progress toward sales goals.
• Champion the Customer Experience: Understand the unique challenges of each facility and deliver solutions that improve aesthetics, acoustics, and performance—enhancing the environments where people work, heal, and learn.

What will make you successful

• Proven success in channel sales, preferably with Grainger or other MRO distributors
• Deep understanding of MRO industry dynamics and facility maintenance needs
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Experience using Salesforce.com and leveraging data to drive decisions
• Ability to travel up to 60% within assigned territory: MT, WY,ND,SD,NE,MN,IA,WI,IL 

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• 3-5 years’ Outside Sales Experience – preferred.
• 5+ years’ Customer facing role – preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience MRO/Distribution industry with an industry leading organization– preferred.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and travel to customer locations, manufacturing facilities, and job sites.
• Ability to navigate active plant environments or construction/job sites, which may include uneven surfaces, stairs, ladders, and varying environmental conditions.
• May be required to lift and carry materials, samples, or equipment (generally up to 25 pounds).
• Ability to operate assigned company car for extended periods as part of travel within the assigned territory.
• Frequent use of hands and arms for computer work, presentations, and handling product samples.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually, and to visually inspect project and site conditions.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance and manage travel demands consistent with business needs.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed in a combination of environments, including:
• Home office or corporate office settings
• Customer offices and design firms
• Manufacturing plants and warehouses
• Construction or active job sites
• Exposure to noise, dust, temperature variations, and moving equipment may occur during plant or job site visits.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required when entering manufacturing or job site environments, based on location specific requirements.
• Regular travel is required, which may include daytime and occasional overnight travel within the assigned territory.

Driver’s License Requirement

• Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license and be eligible to drive for business purposes in accordance with company policies and applicable laws

Why should you join Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is an Americas leader in the design and manufacture of innovative interior and exterior architectural applications including ceilings, specialty walls and exterior metal solutions. With approximately $1.4 billion in revenue, AWI has about 3,700 employees and a manufacturing network of 21 facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 160 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable architectural solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow.
We are committed to:

• Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce;
• Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet;
• Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play;
• Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and
• Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

About the location (Lancaster PA)

Lancaster, PA. A great central location in South Central Pennsylvania, Lancaster is ideally situated for easy access to major metropolitan cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York City. Lancaster offers a vibrant arts and entertainment community with wonderful historic sites, B&Bs, museums, great shopping, entertainment venues and restaurants.

Armstrong is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce.  As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at AWI talent acquisition and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!

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