Sales Director EMEA & APAC (m/f/d)

Pacific International Executive Search; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific International Executive Search is partnering with an international engineering business and is seeking an experienced Sales Director to drive growth across international markets from Germany, Italy, or France.

You will develop commercial strategies, strengthen strategic customer relationships, and lead a high-performing sales organization to achieve revenue and profitability targets. Fluent English and a track record in OEM environments are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven sales leadership experience within hydraulics, fluid power, industrial engineering, or manufacturing environments, with a strong track record of driving growth and developing strategic customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of complex OEM sales environments, including business development, key account management, commercial negotiations, and long-term partnership building.
• Experience leading international sales teams (min. EMEA region) and operating successfully within a matrix organization, combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Experience with direct and indirect sales models.
• Strong business and financial acumen, supported by an analytical, data-driven approach to commercial decision-making and market development.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence across commercial, operational, and technical functions.
• Fluent English required; additional languages are considered an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Drive the commercial strategy and growth agenda across key international markets, ensuring revenue, profitability, and market share objectives.
• Strengthen and expand strategic relationships with major OEM customers in hydraulics, fluid power, transportation, and off-highway sectors, identifying new growth areas.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, and customer agreements to deliver sustainable growth.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate market opportunities into business success.
• Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing sales organization with accountability and customer focus.
• Act as a key commercial leader to support strategic decision-making and future growth initiatives.
• Contribute to long-term strategic direction by supporting market expansion and portfolio development.

Skills

Sales leadership

OEM relationships

Strategic account management

International sales

Matrix organisation

Negotiations

Business development

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering

Job description

Pacific International Recruitment is an established international Executive Search firm with nearly 30 years of proven success in placing senior leadership and critical management positions. Headquartered in London, with strategic offices in Düsseldorf and Philadelphia, we support clients and candidates across EMEA and the United States.

We are partnering with an international engineering business serving some of the world's leading manufacturers across industrial, transportation, and off-highway markets. Backed by continued investment and a strong track record of innovation, the company is entering an exciting new phase of growth and expansion. As part of this journey, it is seeking an experienced commercial leader to drive revenue growth, strengthen strategic customer relationships, and help shape the future direction of the business.

As Sales Director, you will play a key role in driving profitable growth across international markets. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, you will be responsible for developing commercial strategies, strengthening customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and leading a high-performing sales organization. This opportunity offers significant exposure, influence, and the chance to contribute to the long-term growth of a well-established global business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the commercial strategy and growth agenda across key international markets, ensuring the achievement of revenue, profitability, and market share objectives.
• Strengthen and expand strategic relationships with major OEM customers in the hydraulic, fluid power, transportation, and off-highway sectors,while identifying new business opportunities and high-potential growth areas.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, and customer agreements to deliver sustainable and profitable growth.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to translate market opportunities into business success.
• Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing sales organization, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and customer focus.
• Act as a key commercial leader within the business, leveraging market insights, customer feedback, and industry trends to support strategic decision-making and future growth initiatives.
• Contribute to the long-term strategic direction of the business by supporting market expansion, portfolio development, and other growth initiatives across the organization.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven sales leadership experience within hydraulics, fluid power, industrial engineering, or manufacturing environments, with a strong track record of driving growth and developing strategic customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of complex OEM sales environments, including business development, key account management, commercial negotiations, and long-term partnership building.
• Experience leading international sales teams (min. EMEA region) and operating successfully within a matrix organization, combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Experience with direct and indirect sales models.
• Strong business and financial acumen, supported by an analytical, data-driven approach to commercial decision-making and market development.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence across commercial, operational, and technical functions.
• Fluent English required; additional languages are considered an advantage.

Please note that this position can be located either in Germany, Italy, or France.

About Pacific International Executive Search:

Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams while championing diversity and inclusion. Our adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking ethos distinguish us in the ever-evolving business landscape. Since 1997, we have been dedicated to building lasting client partnerships based on trust and reliability, and a proven track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally.

PACIFIC DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.