Application Guide

How to Apply for Sales Director

at Oshkosh Corporation

🏢 About Oshkosh Corporation

Oshkosh Corporation, through its JLG brand, is a pioneer in access equipment, founded in 1969 to improve construction safety. Their innovative solutions like mobile elevating work platforms and telehandlers are trusted globally, making them a leader in industrial tech that enhances safety and resilience.

About This Role

As Sales Director, you'll lead a field sales team to secure equipment orders and achieve profit goals. You'll manage sales forecasting, budgeting, and production planning, directly impacting the company's revenue and operational efficiency.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start the day reviewing sales dashboards and forecasts, then lead a virtual team meeting with regional sales managers to discuss pipeline and challenges. Midday, collaborate with production planning to adjust inventory based on updated forecasts. Afternoon, analyze competitor activity and prepare a budget review for the next quarter.

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🎯 Who Oshkosh Corporation Is Looking For

  • Proven experience in sales leadership within industrial equipment or construction machinery, with a track record of meeting revenue targets.
  • Strong analytical skills for forecasting and budgeting, enabling accurate production planning and material procurement.
  • Ability to manage and motivate a geographically dispersed field sales team, driving performance and accountability.
  • Deep understanding of the access market (e.g., MEWPs, telehandlers) and customer challenges in construction and industrial sectors.

📝 Tips for Applying to Oshkosh Corporation

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific achievements in sales forecasting and budget management, using metrics like revenue growth or forecast accuracy.

2

Mention any experience with production planning or cross-functional collaboration with purchasing teams, as this is critical for the role.

3

Demonstrate knowledge of JLG's product line and how your sales strategies have addressed safety concerns or operational efficiency in past roles.

4

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your leadership style to driving team performance in remote or field sales environments.

5

Research Oshkosh's recent innovations or sustainability initiatives and weave them into your application to show alignment with their mission.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your ability to develop accurate sales forecasts that align with production planning and material procurement.', 'Experience leading field sales teams and achieving year-over-year growth in industrial equipment markets.', "Understanding of JLG's history and commitment to safety, and how you've prioritized safety in your sales approach.", "Specific examples of how you've managed budgets and cost objectives to improve profitability."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review JLG's product portfolio, especially recent innovations like telematics or electric equipment.
  • → Understand Oshkosh Corporation's overall business segments and how JLG fits into their strategy.
  • → Read recent news about Oshkosh's sustainability goals or community initiatives to mention in interviews.
  • → Look up JLG's key competitors (e.g., Genie, Skyjack) and their market positioning.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you approach sales forecasting for a product line with seasonal demand? Provide an example.
2 Describe a time you led a field sales team through a major market shift or competitive threat.
3 How would you collaborate with purchasing and production teams to ensure alignment between sales plans and inventory?
4 What strategies have you used to motivate remote sales representatives and maintain accountability?
5 How do you stay informed about trends in construction safety regulations and access equipment technology?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic sales director resume without emphasizing industrial equipment or access market experience.
  • Failing to address the forecasting and production planning aspect of the role, which is central to the job.
  • Ignoring the company's safety-focused culture and not aligning your experience with that value.
  • Overlooking the remote nature of the role and not demonstrating experience managing remote teams effectively.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Oshkosh Corporation!

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