Channel Manager

VAT Vakuumventile AG; Gemeinde Haag; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Group is seeking a Sales Channel Manager Europe & RoW (100%) to drive growth through indirect sales and manage an international network of distribution partners across Europe and selected markets.

You will lead channel strategies, optimize partner performance, and forecast sales while collaborating with VAT Business Units and maintaining strong KPI-driven oversight.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in sales, preferably in high-tech or related industries.
• 2 years of experience managing indirect sales via channel partners.
• Design and implementation of incentive programs for sales channel partners.
• Sales management of industrial and research customers in a technology-driven environment.
• Excellent English language skills in speaking and writing are mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Sales channel management and strategic development of our worldwide distribution partners.
• Lead change across the distribution network by challenging the status quo and optimizing the partner landscape.
• Manage changes and lead negotiations with channel partners.
• Cross-functional alignment with VAT Business Units to implement VAT strategy in channels’ territories.
• Monitor and improve partner performances using KPIs and business reviews.
• Monitor the market regarding competitors and trends (technical and commercial).
• Participate in regular sales meetings and support in short/medium-term sales planning.
• Own sales forecasting for channels’ territories with data-driven visibility on opportunities and risks.

Skills

Sales management

Channel partners

Strategic development

Forecasting

KPI analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation

Travel readiness

English proficiency

German language

Job description

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

Sales Channel Manager Europe & RoW (100%)

The Channel Manager manages and develops VAT’s international network of distribution partners in Europe and selected international markets, driving growth through indirect sales while ensuring strong alignment with the company sales strategy..

Responsabilities

• Sales channel management and strategic development of our worldwide distribution partners
• Lead change across the distribution network by challenging the status quo, optimizing the partner landscape, and steering partners through new programs, tools, and sales processes to improve performance
• Manage changes and lead negotiations with channel partners
• Cross-functional alignment with VAT Business Units to ensure proper implementation of VAT strategy in channels’ territories
• Monitor and improve the partners performances using clear KPIs and structured business reviews
• Monitoring of the market with regards to competitors as well as technical and commercial trends
• Participation in regular sales meetings and active support in determining the short and medium-term sales planning
• Own sales forecasting for your channels’ territories and provide accurate, data-driven visibility on opportunities and risks

Requirements

• 5 years’ experience in sales, preferably in the vacuum industry or in related areas such as mechanical engineering, components or similar high-tech industry
• 2 years of experience managing indirect sales via channel partners
• Design and implementation of incentive programs for sales channel partners
• Sales management of industrial and research customers in a technology-driven environment
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue and growth targets in a multi-country territory
• Resilient under pressure, with strong prioritization and multitasking skills
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills; able to align multiple internal and external stakeholders
• Skilled at leading and influencing external partners
• Analytical and structured, comfortable working with pipeline, KPIs, and forecasts to steer the busines

• Excellent English language skills in speaking and writing are mandatory
• German or further language skills an advantage

• Willingness to travel approximatively 30-40%