Regional Sales Manager - Columbus, OH

RATIONAL rational-online.com Open · verified Sep 21, 2026

Rolling Meadows Manager Sales Leadership

At a glance

Mid-level Sales Leadership role at RATIONAL. Rolling Meadows · $80,000–$90,000 base.

SalaryStated by RATIONAL

$80,000 – $90,000

Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.

RoleSales Leadership

SeniorityManager

LocationRolling Meadows

Base pay$80,000–$90,000

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Plan and carry out territory sales activity across Columbus and Central Ohio to grow revenue
Run RATIONAL Cooking Live events that demonstrate equipment technology to commercial customers
Build customer, consultant, and designer relationships to create opportunities and win specifications
Use cold outreach, prospecting, CRM records, and follow-up to expand the customer base
Prepare forecasts, analyze customers, and shape annual strategies with sales leadership

What you bring

At least five years of sales work with evidence of increasing revenue
Food-industry sales or marketing experience, with food service or chef experience preferred
Clear communication, strong listening, organization, and time-management skills
Working knowledge of Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and CRM software, especially Salesforce
A valid driver’s license, suitable auto insurance, and willingness to travel overnight up to half the time

Who this fits

You’ll suit a field-heavy regional sales role that combines independent planning, customer development, culinary demonstrations, and teamwork with sales leadership. The territory is Columbus and Central Ohio, with a required home office and at least four and a half days each week in the field. You’ll need to drive, operate cooking equipment, work in commercial kitchen settings, handle data entry, and lift forty pounds.

From the employer

Regional Sales Manager - Columbus, OH
Columbus/Central Ohio Territory

When it comes to intelligent kitchen equipment and digital products, the RATIONAL Group is the global market and technology leader. Now its 2700-some employees around the world need help. They need someone with brains, tenacity, and enthusiasm. Someone like you.

Summary:

The Regional Sales Manager (RSM) is responsible for planning and execution of sales activities resulting in significant sales growth with dynamically driving RATIONAL to market leadership in the assigned region. This position works independently and as a team player. The RSM is responsible for building contacts, cultivating relationships and developing sales with support and collaboration with the sales director and vice president of sales to develop market share and sales growth in respective region.

Key Responsibilities:

Promote and spread the message of RATIONAL equipment technology through RATIONAL Cooking Live culinary events, arranged and performed by the RSM.
Increase customer base within applicable commercial market segments by pursuing both identified opportunities and creating new opportunities.
Increase customer base via developing the consultant/designer network for specification.
Cold calling, prospecting and phone calls.
Document customer-related information and activity within our customer record management (CRM) system.
Pre-plan daily/weekly/monthly plan, work the plan and follow up in order to achieve annual goals.
Prepare monthly sales reports/forecasts and provide customer analysis.
Develop, implement, and review with sales director annual business strategies and marketing plans needed to secure and sustain growth targets.
Participate in regional and national trade shows and sales meetings.
Monitor and report issues affecting sales, competitive pressures in the market, and competitor activity.

Qualifications:

Food service operations/chef experience desired; sales and/or marketing experience within the food industry is preferred.
A minimum of 5+ years of sales experience with proven track record of increased sales/revenue is desired.
Associate’s degree, culinary degree or equivalent experience desired.
Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills at all levels from corporate down through all levels, including good listening skills are required.
Able to work independently with minimal supervision and as a team player.
Strong organization, time management skills and ability to complete multiple high-priority tasks of a different nature throughout the day.
Have experience setting budgets, creating plans to meet budgets, and working your plan.
MS Office computer skills, especially Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) software, especially Salesforce.
Willingness for overnight away-from-home travel up to 50% of time.
Bilingual (Spanish or other languages) is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Demands are the ability to drive in metropolitan city traffic, walk and take mass transit in metropolitan areas as needed, move easily in and out of a vehicle, move easily in a food service kitchen environment, shop and prepare food for demonstration and consumption, operate cooking equipment, perform data entry and administrative tasks on a computer and/or smartphone, and be able to lift 40 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Home office space required in the assigned territory. Regional Sales Manager works a minimum of 4.5 days per week in the field with adequate time for preplanning, phone calls, follow up and CRM input. Vehicle must be clean and reliable with sufficient trunk space to carry all sales and marketing tools necessary. Must have a valid driver’s license and appropriate automobile insurance.

COMPENSATION:

The starting salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications and may vary by geographical location. Compensation for this position also includes a bonus. Benefits include access to health, life, and disability insurances partially paid by the employer, paid time off, a 401(K) match, and future profit-share type earnings.

Our benefits:

Health insurance Day 1, 401(k) Match
Half-day Summer Fridays with up to 31 days off in each year of employment
Company Bistro with food available free for employees
Reimbursement for Health Club memberships, AAA, and Costco or Sam's Club
Discounted prices on entertainment, travel, and leisure activities
All-Company Kickoff event, company summer BBQ
Opportunities for further internal and external development
Opportunity for profit-sharing type of financial benefits

What counts for us are your qualifications – regardless of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation/identity or social, ethnic, or religious backgrounds. We welcome applications from all people with diverse backgrounds.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Romanek.