Director Sales, Americas

Donaldson Company; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

Donaldson Company in Bloomington, MN, is seeking a Regional Sales Director, Americas to lead go-to-market strategy, drive growth, and strengthen channel partner performance across the region. The role collaborates with product management, marketing, operations, engineering, and finance to align commercial priorities with strategy, improve sales effectiveness, and deliver long-term value.

You will build an executive sales team, manage channel ecosystems, and lead change across the organization to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or related field
• Proven success developing and executing growth-oriented go-to-market strategies
• Demonstrated experience managing distributor, dealer, or channel partner networks, including performance management and partner development
• 10+ years of progressive sales leadership experience, including responsibility for building team capability, driving accountability, and delivering sustained business results

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Americas go-to-market strategy, translating business unit objectives into sales priorities, coverage models, account strategies, territory and channel plans, and measurable performance outcomes that drive market share growth
• Lead and develop a high-performing sales leadership team, fostering clarity, accountability, customer focus, capability, and succession strength needed to achieve current and future growth objectives. Drive commercial excellence through disciplined pipeline management, forecasting accuracy, pricing execution, CRM and tool utilization, and data-driven decision making
• Develop and lead the regional channel partner strategy, including partner selection, capability development, performance management, and executive-level relationship management to drive profitable growth and customer success
• Leverage customer, market, competitive, and performance insights to identify opportunities and adjust strategy as needed. Establish and use clear performance measures to evaluate sales effectiveness, partner performance, pipeline quality, growth, margin, and execution progress
• Partner cross-functionally with product management, marketing, engineering, operations, and finance to align commercial priorities with product strategy, operational capability, and financial plans
• Build and maintain executive relationships with key customers, channel partners, and industry stakeholders to deepen partnerships, identify growth opportunities, and enhance the company's market position
• Lead change across the sales organization by communicating the business case, aligning stakeholders, removing barriers, and driving adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working
• Consistently increase sales volume and profitability while ensuring execution is aligned with near-term financial commitments and long-term strategic priorities

Skills

Sales leadership

Go-to-market strategy

Channel partner management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering/Marketing

Tools

CRM

Forecasting tools

Job description

Donaldson is committed to solving the world's most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities.

The Regional Sales Director, Americas will lead the development and execution of the regional go-to-market strategy to drive profitable growth, expand market share, and enhance customer and channel partner performance. This role will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Americas sales organization, working closely across product management, marketing, operations, engineering, and finance to align commercial priorities, improve sales effectiveness, and execute business unit strategy.

This role will lead and further develop a high-performing sales organization, advance channel partner performance, and drive commercial transformation to support evolving growth priorities.

Role Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Americas go-to-market strategy, translating business unit objectives into sales priorities, coverage models, account strategies, territory and channel plans, and measurable performance outcomes that drive market share growth.
• Lead and develop a high-performing sales leadership team, fostering clarity, accountability, customer focus, capability, and succession strength needed to achieve current and future growth objectives. Drive commercial excellence through disciplined pipeline management, forecasting accuracy, pricing execution, CRM and tool utilization, and data-driven decision making.
• Develop and lead the regional channel partner strategy, including partner selection, capability development, performance management, and executive-level relationship management to drive profitable growth and customer success.
• Leverage customer, market, competitive, and performance insights to identify opportunities and adjust strategy as needed. Establish and use clear performance measures to evaluate sales effectiveness, partner performance, pipeline quality, growth, margin, and execution progress.
• Partner cross-functionally with product management, marketing, engineering, operations, and finance to align commercial priorities with product strategy, operational capability, and financial plans.
• Build and maintain executive relationships with key customers, channel partners, and industry stakeholders to deepen partnerships, identify growth opportunities, and enhance the company's market position.
• Lead change across the sales organization by communicating the business case, aligning stakeholders, removing barriers, and driving adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working.
• Consistently increase sales volume and profitability while ensuring execution is aligned with near-term financial commitments and long-term strategic priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or related field
• Proven success developing and executing growth-oriented go-to-market strategies
• Demonstrated experience managing distributor, dealer, or channel partner networks, including performance management and partner development
• 10+ years of progressive sales leadership experience, including responsibility for building team capability, driving accountability, and delivering sustained business results

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced business degree
• Experience within industrial manufacturing, filtration, industrial equipment, process technologies, or related markets
• Demonstrated success leading commercial transformation, change management, or sales force effectiveness initiatives
• Experience managing complex channel ecosystems, including distributors, dealers, OEMs, and strategic partners
• Experience with regional business planning, budgeting, and P&L management
• Experience leading in a matrix, and with geographically dispersed teams across multiple countries, cultures and market environments

Travel

Up to 25%

Annual Salary Range

$180,080-$247,610. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to applicable work experience, training, education, performance. Based on work location, geographic adjustment is included.

Sales incentive or commission plan, based on sales targets under company policy.

Employee benefits are part of the competitive total rewards package that Donaldson Company, Inc. provides to you. Our comprehensive benefits program includes health benefits, retirement plan (401k), paid time away, paid leaves (including paid parental leave) and more.

Immigration Sponsorship Not Available

• Applicants for this position must be currently and legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, J-1, F-1, CPT, OPT, etc.).
• Donaldson will not offer immigration sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.
• International relocation or remote work arrangements outside of the U.S. will not be considered.

Employment opportunities for positions in the United States may require use of information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States.

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.