The Sales Director is responsible for developing and executing the company's sales strategy to drive revenue growth, increase market share, and strengthen customer relationships. This role will lead the sales organization, identify new business opportunities, expand existing accounts, and develop strategic partnerships across key markets.
The ideal candidate combines strong commercial leadership with a solid understanding of manufacturing operations, customer requirements, pricing strategies, and business development. The Sales Director will work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, production, quality, and finance to ensure customer expectations are met while achieving the company's growth and profitability objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Sales Strategy & Business Development
- Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve revenue, profitability, and market share objectives.
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities, target markets, customers, and industry segments.
- Establish and maintain relationships with key customers, strategic accounts, and industry partners.
- Lead new customer acquisition efforts and expand business within existing accounts.
- Monitor market trends, competitive activity, customer demand, and industry developments to identify growth opportunities.
- Develop sales forecasts, annual budgets, and long‑term growth plans.
- Lead customer presentations, negotiations, contract discussions, and major sales opportunities.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the sales team to achieve individual and organizational objectives.
- Establish sales goals, performance metrics, and accountability standards.
- Provide coaching, training, and ongoing development to improve sales effectiveness.
- Build a high‑performance sales culture focused on customer satisfaction, accountability, and profitable growth.
- Develop compensation structures, incentive programs, and performance management processes in collaboration with executive leadership.
Manufacturing & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with engineering, operations, production, quality, and supply chain teams to support customer requirements and new business opportunities.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders on quoting, pricing, capacity planning, product launches, and production readiness.
- Evaluate customer RFQs, commercial proposals, and contract terms to ensure alignment with company capabilities and profitability goals.
- Work with finance and operations to evaluate margins, cost structures, pricing strategies, and overall account profitability.
- Ensure effective communication between customers and internal teams throughout the sales and program development process.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including revenue growth, gross margin, pipeline development, win rates, and customer retention.
- Maintain accurate sales forecasts, pipeline reports, and customer account plans.
- Analyze sales performance and implement corrective actions when objectives are not being met.
- Report sales results, market opportunities, risks, and strategic initiatives to executive leadership.
- Support the development of annual operating plans and long‑term business strategies.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- 7+ years of progressive sales and business development experience, preferably within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- 3+ years of sales leadership or team management experience preferred.
- Proven track record of achieving sales growth, developing new business, and managing strategic customer relationships.
- Experience with complex sales cycles, commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, and contract management.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production capabilities, cost structures, and customer requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to develop sales strategies, manage pipelines, and deliver measurable business results.
- Experience with CRM systems, sales forecasting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
Success Metrics
- Revenue growth and achievement of sales targets
- Gross margin and overall sales profitability
- New customer acquisition and new business awards
- Growth of existing customer accounts
- Sales pipeline health and forecast accuracy
- Customer retention and satisfaction
- Sales team performance and productivity
- Market share growth and achievement of strategic objectives
This position operates in a manufacturing and business-to-business sales environment, requiring regular interaction with customers, internal departments, and executive leadership. Domestic travel may be required to support customer relationships, business development, and industry events.