Technical Sales Representative (Metal industry)

Are you a technically minded sales professional who feels at home on the factory floor? Do you want to own the full cycle from diagnosing a customer's cutting process to leading on-site industrial trials and converting proven results into long-term partnerships? Do you live in the Lyon area or within 3 hours of Saint-Étienne, and does a home-based field role with around 60 percent travel across France sound like your ideal week? Then this Technical Sales Representative role in the metal industry may be the perfect opportunity for you.

About our client

Our client, based in Saint-Étienne, France, is a leading international manufacturer of industrial circular saw blades for high-performance metal applications. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the parent company operates production facilities and sales subsidiaries across the globe, including the US, UK, Germany, China and the Czech Republic, exporting to over 80 countries. By combining cutting-edge HSS, TCT and segmental saw blade technology, they provide tailored solutions to world-class customers in the automotive, oil and gas, mechanical engineering and construction industries.

To support their growing French market, they are looking for a dedicated Technical Sales Representative. This is a hands-on, field-based role where you bridge the gap between complex engineering and commercial strategy, driving tangible productivity gains for clients across France.

Account management and sales

• Manage and expand assigned customer accounts and act as the main contact.
• Identify customer needs and improvement opportunities.
• Drive the process from prospecting to contract closure.
• Build strong relationships with plant personnel and management.

Technical solutions and industrial trials

• Develop tailored technical solutions based on customer requirements.
• Define trial objectives, KPIs and success criteria.
• Plan and lead on-site industrial trials.
• Coordinate with customer production teams and optimize process settings.
• Ensure safe and efficient trial execution.

Performance analysis and business development

• Analyze trial results, including productivity, quality, tool life and cost savings.
• Provide clear technical recommendations and improvement plans.
• Demonstrate ROI and business value using measurable results.
• Support commercial negotiations and convert successful trials into long-term agreements.
• Share customer feedback and field insights with R&D and product teams, and contribute to product improvements and best practices.
• Identify opportunities to expand business within existing accounts.

Your profile

• Degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related technical field.
• Proven experience within the metal industry (steel, aluminum, foundry, forging or related heavy industrial sectors).
• Experience in plant operations, process engineering, technical support or running industrial trials is highly advantageous.
• Willing to travel 60 percent of your time around France, including some overnight stays.
• Strong practical understanding of industrial manufacturing processes and comfort troubleshooting in demanding production environments.
• Strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex technical data into commercial value for the customer.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills.
• Highly autonomous, self-motivated and results-oriented.
• Knowledge of tube mills, forging, continuous casting or heavy cutting applications is a plus.
• French: fluent, full professional proficiency (written and spoken). English: professional working proficiency.

Reporting and work environment

• Home-based (you must live in the Lyon area or within 3 hours of the office in Saint-Étienne), reporting to the Managing Director.
• Work closely with Business Development, R&D, Application Engineering, Operations and Sales teams.
• Frequent travel to customer sites, at least 60 percent of your time.
• Regular work in industrial environments with strict safety requirements.

What they offer

• Competitive base salary with an attractive variable bonus scheme of 10,000 euro.
• Company car, available for professional and personal use.
• Comprehensive company health insurance (Mutuelle).
• Full ownership of your projects and clients: managing the process from the initial technical pitch to the final commercial partnership.
• The opportunity to spearhead and develop the French market within an internationally oriented, market-leading company.
• Training at their headquarters in the Netherlands and in-field time with colleagues from other territories.

Interested or have questions?

Apply directly through the form on this page, or reach out to Darcie at darciehudson@goaheadhire.com or call +31 6 57049518. Every applicant hears back from a consultant personally.