Project Manager

PADNOS is a full-service recycling company handling paper, plastic, metals and electronic recycling. We tailor recycling programs for consumer and industrial clients throughout the United States. PADNOS was founded over a century ago and continues to transform the recycling industry. The company has thrived as a family business through four generations and has grown to be a market leader and best in class innovator.  

Position Summary

The Sales Engineer is the technical bridge between PADNOS's engineering, machining, and fabrication capabilities and the industrial and manufacturing customers who need them. This role combines hands-on mechanical and process knowledge with consultative selling to grow external sales of precision machining, fabrication, repair, and engineered equipment solutions out of the PLI machine shop. The Sales Engineer manages and grows an existing external customer base of approximately $2M annually, supports internal ordering and processing of $500K+ in vendor parts, and helps evaluate and integrate external sales growth through M&A opportunities.

Because many of these customers also generate scrap, the Sales Engineer partners with PADNOS Metals Recycling sales to identify where equipment, material handling, and service solutions strengthen the overall customer relationship. The role works closely with Engineering, Production, Purchasing, and Operations so that commitments made in the field are delivered on time, on budget, and to specification.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sales and Business Development

• Identify and win new business in industries that require machining, fabrication, and heavy equipment repair (e.g., industrial equipment, recycling and scrap processing, automotive, energy, and general manufacturing).
• Develop and grow a portfolio of accounts through prospecting, referrals, and proactive account management, with a focus on West Michigan.
• Prepare and present proposals, quotations, and contracts tailored to customer requirements.
• Negotiate pricing and terms that achieve sales targets while protecting margin.
• Partner with Metals Recycling sales on shared accounts, bringing equipment and service opportunities forward from scrap-generating customers.

2. Technical Consultation and Solution Design

• Interpret customer specifications, drawings, and blueprints to define scope and deliver accurate, manufacturable solutions.
• Conduct on-site assessments of customer facilities and equipment to identify repair, rebuild, fabrication, and material handling needs (e.g., balers, compactors, shears, conveyors, containers).
• Provide technical guidance on materials, machining processes (CNC milling, turning, boring, grinding), and fabrication methods (cutting, welding, forming, assembly).
• Work with Engineering and Production to confirm feasibility, cost, and lead time before commitments are made.
• Address technical questions, troubleshoot customer problems, and recommend improvements that reduce customer downtime and cost.

3. Quoting, Estimating, and Contracts

• Build cost estimates with shop leadership covering labor, materials, outside services, and freight.
• Deliver timely, accurate quotes and maintain a disciplined quote follow-up process.
• Prepare service agreements and contracts in line with PADNOS pricing guidelines and margin targets.

4. Project Handoff and Execution Coordination

• Own the transition of sold work from sales to production, ensuring customer requirements, drawings, and due dates are clearly communicated.
• Coordinate with Production, Purchasing, and Logistics to support on-time delivery and quality of finished parts and equipment.
• Monitor job progress against customer expectations and resolve issues before they affect the customer.
• Support internal ordering and processing of vendor parts for PADNOS operations.

5. Market Research and Strategy

• Stay current on machining and fabrication technologies, customer industry trends, and the competitive landscape to identify growth opportunities.
• Use customer feedback and win/loss data to refine sales strategy and service offerings.
• Support evaluation of acquisition and partnership opportunities that expand external sales capability.
• Represent PADNOS at trade shows, customer events, and industry networking functions.

6. Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of accounts, opportunities, quotes, and customer interactions in the CRM system.
• Provide regular reports on sales performance, pipeline, forecasts, and market insights to leadership.

7. Safety and Compliance

• Ensure customer-site visits, recommendations, and delivered work comply with PADNOS and customer safety standards and applicable regulations.

Accountabilities

• Revenue Growth: Grow external sales of machining, fabrication, repair, and engineered solutions against annual targets while protecting gross margin.
• Customer Relationships: Build and retain long-term customer relationships through responsive service, technical credibility, and follow-through on commitments.
• Technical Solutions: Translate customer needs into accurate, manufacturable, and cost-effective solutions in partnership with Engineering and Production.
• Quoting and Pricing: Deliver timely, accurate quotes and contracts that reflect true cost and meet margin targets.
• Sales-to-Production Handoff: Ensure every sold job reaches production with complete requirements, and that delivery and quality meet customer expectations.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work with Engineering, Production, Purchasing, Logistics, and Metals Recycling sales so that commitments made in the field are delivered.
• Pipeline and Reporting: Maintain accurate CRM, pipeline, and forecast, and report sales performance to leadership.
• Safety: Follow and promote PADNOS and customer safety requirements on every site visit and job.
• Continuous Improvement: Use win/loss reviews and customer feedback to improve sales processes and service offerings.

Outcomes

• Completion of Rock Goals.
• Growth of the existing ~$2M external customer base against annual targets set with the Director of Engineering and Maintenance.
• A qualified, documented sales pipeline with new accounts added each quarter.
• Standardized quoting and estimating process with consistent turnaround times.
• Clean sales-to-production handoffs with no missed requirements on sold work.
• Reliable support of internal vendor-part ordering for PADNOS operations.
• Identification and assessment of external sales growth and M&A opportunities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 to 7 years of experience in technical or industrial B2B sales, applications engineering, or engineering/project management in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and working knowledge of machining and fabrication processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
• Proven negotiation and consultative-selling skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly within the territory.

Preferred

• Experience selling machine shop, fabrication, or heavy equipment repair services.
• SolidWorks and AutoCAD experience.
• Experience in metals recycling, scrap processing, or heavy industrial equipment.
• Cost estimating experience and familiarity with ERP or job-shop software.
• Existing network of industrial and manufacturing contacts in West Michigan.

Competencies

• Building relationships
• Technical capacity
• Communication
• Analysis and problem solving
• Strategic and critical thinking
• Negotiation and influence
• Judgment and decision making
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Planning and organization
• Time management
• Personal motivation
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Stress management and composure

Accountabilities and KPI’s

• External sales revenue versus target
• Gross margin on sold work
• Quote turnaround time and quote win rate
• New accounts and qualified pipeline value
• On-time delivery of sold work
• Customer retention and satisfaction
• CRM accuracy and forecast reliability
• Adheres to all PADNOS Policies and Procedures.
• Always conducts self in a manner consistent with PADNOS Values.
• Consistently reports to work on time and prepared to perform the duties of the position.
• Maintains the privacy of all company proprietary information.
• Can safely perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Work is split between office time at the Turner PLI Building (quoting, CRM, coordination) and time on the shop floor, at customer plants, and at PADNOS yard locations, primarily in West Michigan. These environments involve noise, dust, heavy equipment, overhead cranes, and moving vehicles. Required PPE (safety glasses, steel-toed boots, hi-vis clothing, and hearing protection where required) must be worn per PADNOS and customer safety policies. The role requires the ability to walk plant floors and scrap yards for extended periods, climb stairs or ladders to inspect equipment, and occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required.

PADNOS has a rich history of taking care of our Team Members, their families and the multiple communities we serve. We invest in our Team Members and offer the following benefits: 

• Competitive Wage 
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 
• 100% Tuition reimbursement for Team Members
• 75% Tuition Reimbursement for dependents 
• First Time Home Buying Assistance 
• 401K Match and Profit Sharing 
• Performance Driven Bonuses 

Be a part of the green movement and join PADNOS today!

PADNOS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, weight, height, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, genetic medical information, protected veteran status, or disability status.