National Sales Manager

Niterra North America, Inc.; Wixom (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability coverage

401(k) match

Paid time off

Maternity/Paternity leave

Job summary

Niterra North America, Inc. is seeking a National Sales Manager to lead the Aftermarket Sales Department, driving growth across automotive and non-auto accounts, and crafting strategies for long-term expansion.

This role centers on retail and aftermarket channels, requiring leadership of a sales team, building key customer relationships, and overseeing annual sales and gross profit budgets to maximize company value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field.
• 10+ years sales/marketing with 5+ years in a senior management role.
• 10+ years in the automotive aftermarket.
• 7+ years in marketing and account management.
• 7+ years leading and motivating a team.
• Strong sales/marketing background in automotive aftermarket.
• Understanding of product development processes.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Experience developing sales/marketing strategies and analyzing trends.
• Strong analytical and strategic mindset.
• Proven negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• MS Office Suite proficiency.
• Willingness to travel up to 35%.
• Experience managing large retail accounts is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee direct reports across traditional, retail, and non-auto accounts.
• Maintain and expand relationships; acquire new business for major accounts.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Sales Department.
• Develop and implement 3-year and 10-year growth plans focused on retail and Aftermarket.
• Support and execute sales, marketing, and product initiatives to maximize company value.
• Ensure diversification of products, markets, and channels.
• Mentor, coach, and inspire the team to meet targets.
• Source market research for business development.
• Analyze market data and competitor information to identify growth opportunities.
• Support national sales and marketing activities (communications, promotions, events).
• Build understanding of customer needs and relationships with stakeholders.
• Develop annual sales and gross profit budgets and strategies to exceed them.
• Meet or exceed sales targets, SG&A budgets, and onboarding goals.
• Collaborate with CBO on special projects as directed by SVP/SLT.
• Perform other job-related tasks.
• Adhere to IATF, ISO, ISMS, TISAX, QMS, J-SOX, and safety policies.

Skills

Sales leadership

Automotive aftermarket

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Team leadership

Market analysis

Budgeting

Vendor management

Customer relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Founded in 1966, Niterra North America, Inc. (formerly NGK Spark Plugs) is the world leader in technology, innovation, and world-class quality in the design of spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Today, that tradition continues as we transform our organization's portfolio, expand our core ceramic technologies, explore capabilities beyond traditional areas, and challenge ourselves to develop solutions and services that leverage technology to address social issues while contributing to a sustainable society.

Summary

The National Sales Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the Aftermarket Sales Department, driving growth across automotive and non-auto accounts, and developing sales and marketing strategies to achieve long-term growth plans. This role is centered on Niterra's retail and Aftermarket business, with growth priorities focused on traditional retail and non-auto channels. This position involves managing and mentoring a sales team, building and maintaining key customer relationships, analyzing market and competitor trends, and owning annual sales and gross profit budgets. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in the automotive aftermarket and retail channels, a proven track record in senior sales leadership, and a strategic mindset focused on maximizing company value.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and provide leadership to all direct reports across traditional, retail, and non-auto accounts.
• Maintain and enhance business relationships, provide necessary information, and acquire new business for major retail and Aftermarket accounts in both the automotive and non-auto sectors.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Sales Department.
• Develop and implement sales strategies to achieve 3-year and 10-year growth plans, with primary emphasis on the retail and Aftermarket channels.
• Support and execute all sales, marketing, and product initiatives to maximize company value.
• Ensure a balanced diversification of products, markets, and channels.
• Manage, mentor, coach, and inspire the team to meet sales targets and individual goals.
• Source and coordinate market research materials to support current and future business development.
• Analyze marketing statistics, market data, and competitor information to identify growth opportunities across the retail and Aftermarket landscape.
• Support national sales and marketing activities, including communications, advertising, promotions, customer events, and sales development.
• Build a comprehensive understanding of customer needs and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Develop annual sales and gross profit budgets, along with strategies and tactics to achieve them, and take ownership of exceeding budget goals.
• Meet or exceed set sales targets, SG&A budgets, and onboarding goals for new associates.
• Collaborate with the Commercial Business Operations Team (CBO) on special projects or assignments as directed by the SVP or SLT Team.
• Perform all other job-related tasks as assigned.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures, including IATF, ISO, ISMS, TISAX, QMS, J-SOX, and safety-related policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of sales and marketing experience, including at least 5 years in a senior management role, with a proven track record of success.
• At least 10 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket.
• Minimum of 7 years in marketing and account management.
• 7+ years of proven experience managing, motivating, and leading a team.
• Strong background in sales and marketing within the automotive aftermarket or a similar industry.
• Deep understanding of product development processes.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Proven experience in developing sales and marketing strategies, analyzing market and competitor trends, and addressing customer needs.
• Strong analytical skills and a strategic mindset.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills and the ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with both internal and external customers.
• Ability to think strategically, make sound business judgments, and take calculated risks.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 35%.
• Experience managing large retail accounts (big-box, mass merchandiser, or e-commerce), including retailer line reviews, promotional programs, and vendor scorecard expectations, is highly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Able to see and hear (correctable).
• Able to communicate verbally.
• Able to use a computer keyboard.
• Able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Able to travel up to 35%.
• Common hazards in an office environment.

What We Offer

• Financial Security: Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a generous company match of up to 6%.
• Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• And much more!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Niterra is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Notice to Staffing Firms

Niterra does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies. We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or other payments related to unsolicited resumes or CVs, except as required by a written contract between Niterra and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.

If you are a California resident, please review our CCPA Notice to learn more about how we collect personal information from applicants and the purposes for which that information is used.