Country Sales Director (Waterproofing Solutions - Ankara Based)

Nizmara Consulting & Executive Search; Fatih; On-site; TRY 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Nizmara Consulting & Executive Search seeks an experienced Country Manager – Türkiye for a high-impact, commercial leadership role. You will drive overall commercial leadership, accelerate sustainable growth, and strengthen market position while leading the national sales organization across Türkiye.

The role requires hands-on leadership in the field with customers, strategic discussions, and active development of key stakeholder relationships, particularly with public institutions, contractors

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related discipline.
• 10+ years in construction materials sales or business development.
• Strong English proficiency and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Türkiye operations and growth strategy for waterproofing and construction materials.
• Develop and execute national sales and business development plans aligned with regional objectives.
• Own national sales targets, profitability, and market development.
• Build and manage relationships with public institutions, contractors, developers and dealers.
• Coach and lead the national sales organization, including field leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Sales leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Public relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering / Architecture or related discipline

Tools

CRM software

MS Office

Job description

Nizmara is a trusted executive search and talent acquisition partner serving organizations across Turkey, the Middle East, and Europe. We combine deep sector expertise with real business experience to deliver high-impact recruitment solutions for leadership and mission-critical roles.

Our consultants bring senior-level industry backgrounds and a consultative mindset, enabling us to understand both the strategic and operational priorities of our clients. This allows us to go beyond traditional recruitment and act as true advisors throughout the talent acquisition journey.

We specialize in key sectors including Technology, Financial Services, Banking & Insurance, Healthcare & Life Sciences, E-commerce & Retail, Construction, Engineering, and Manufacturing. Through tailored search strategies, strong networks, and a results-driven approach, we connect exceptional talent with forward-thinking organizations to drive sustainable business success.

About the Company

On behalf of our client, an international manufacturer of advanced waterproofing solutions, we are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Country Manager – Türkiye to lead and further develop the company’s operations in the Turkish market.

Our client provides specialized waterproofing solutions for the construction industry and serves the market through a combination of project sales, contractors, applicators, dealers and institutional relationships.

The Country Manager will assume overall commercial leadership of the Türkiye organization, with responsibility for accelerating sustainable growth, strengthening the company’s market position, managing key stakeholder relationships and leading the national sales organization.

This is a highly hands-on leadership position requiring someone who can operate equally effectively in the field with customers and key stakeholders, in strategic commercial discussions, and as a leader of an experienced sales team.

P:S: This is a fully commercial, sales-driven leadership role. Candidates whose experience is primarily in technical, engineering, project management or site-based functions without a strong sales track record will not be considered.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Commercial & Country Leadership

• Lead the overall commercial operations and growth strategy of the company in Türkiye.
• Develop and execute the annual sales and business development strategy in line with regional and international objectives.
• Take ownership of national sales targets, commercial performance, market development and profitability.
• Identify new growth opportunities across projects, contractors, applicators, dealers and other relevant distribution channels.
• Maintain a strong presence in the market and personally engage in strategically important commercial opportunities.
• Closely monitor market dynamics, competitive activity, pricing developments and emerging waterproofing technologies.
• Translate market intelligence into actionable commercial strategies and positioning.
• Build a sustainable commercial organization capable of competing effectively in a highly price-sensitive and relationship-driven market.

Project & Specification Management

• Drive the inclusion and positioning of the company’s waterproofing solutions within major construction projects and technical specifications.
• Develop strong relationships with decision-makers, technical stakeholders, consultants, project owners and other parties influencing material specifications.
• Identify major public and private construction projects at an early stage and ensure active commercial and technical engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work closely with contractors, consultants, architects, engineers and applicators to communicate the technical and commercial value proposition of the company’s solutions.
• Ensure that the sales organization follows projects systematically from specification and tender stages through to order and implementation.

Institutional & Key Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with public institutions, major contractors, developers, engineering organizations and other key industry stakeholders.
• Represent the company in meetings with relevant governmental and institutional organizations, particularly those involved in large-scale construction and infrastructure projects.
• Strengthen the company's existing institutional network while continuously developing new relationships.
• Act as a trusted and credible representative of the company within the Turkish construction and waterproofing ecosystem.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with dealers, distributors, waterproofing applicators and specialist contractors across Türkiye.
• Identify high-potential business partners and establish long‑term commercial relationships.
• Support partners in identifying, developing and winning new projects.
• Ensure an effective balance between direct project sales and channel‑based business development.
• Regularly visit customers and business partners across Türkiye to maintain close market contact.
• Lead, coach and develop the national commercial organization, including regional sales and supporting functions.
• Establish clear sales targets, priorities and performance expectations for the team.
• Conduct regular sales and pipeline reviews and ensure disciplined follow‑up of opportunities.
• Act as a highly accessible, supportive and commercially experienced leader who can actively coach the team in complex sales situations.
• Accompany the team when necessary in key customer, contractor, dealer and institutional meetings.
• Build a collaborative and accountable sales culture combining strong relationships with performance discipline.

International & Supplier Relations

• Serve as the key commercial interface between the Türkiye organization and the company's international manufacturing and supply organization.
• Maintain effective communication with international stakeholders regarding sales forecasts, product requirements, market developments and customer expectations.
• Represent the Turkish market in international business discussions and factory meetings.
• Coordinate international visits, customer meetings and factory visits when required.
• Communicate confidently in English in commercial, operational and relationship‑management contexts.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

We are looking for an experienced commercial leader with a strong understanding of the construction materials and waterproofing ecosystem in Türkiye.

The ideal candidate should have:

• A Bachelor's degree, preferably in Civil Engineering, Architecture or a related discipline.
• Approximately 10+ years of professional experience in construction materials, with a significant track record in sales and business development.
• Solid experience in the waterproofing industry or closely related product categories.
• Strong knowledge of waterproofing applications and solutions such as bituminous membranes, PVC/TPO membranes, liquid‑applied waterproofing, polyurethane systems, construction chemicals or similar technologies.
• The technical‑commercial capability to understand different waterproofing systems and clearly articulate the advantages of one solution versus another.
• Proven experience in project sales, specification‑driven sales and/or contractor‑focused business development.
• Established knowledge of the Turkish construction market and its key stakeholders.
• Experience building relationships with public institutions, contractors, developers, applicators and dealers.
• Strong commercial negotiation skills and the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders from different professional and organizational backgrounds.
• Previous experience managing and developing sales teams.
• A hands‑on leadership approach and willingness to remain personally active in the field.
• Strong competitive drive, resilience and the ability to perform effectively in a challenging commercial environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship‑building capabilities, combined with a professional and approachable leadership style.
• Strong planning, reporting, analytical and commercial follow‑up capabilities.
• Professional working proficiency in English, with the ability to manage business discussions with international stakeholders and suppliers.
• No restrictions on domestic or international travel.
• Must be based in Ankara or willing to permanently relocate to Ankara.

What Will Make a Candidate Stand Out

Candidates will have a particular advantage if they combine:

• Direct experience in the waterproofing and insulation industry;
• A strong network among public institutions and major construction stakeholders in Ankara;
• Experience with technical specifications and project‑based selling;
• Relationships with major contractors, applicators and waterproofing dealers;
• Experience competing in highly competitive and price‑sensitive markets;
• A track record of personally developing strategic accounts while simultaneously managing a sales organization;
• Experience working with an international manufacturer, supplier or regional headquarters.