Sales Director

Loar Group; Yankton (SD); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Loar Group, a midwestern aerospace and defense business, seeks a Director of Sales to lead commercial strategy and growth. You will build strong customer relationships, drive business development from opportunity to award, and align pricing, contracts, and capabilities to maximize profitability.

The role requires a strategic thinker who can operate at both strategic and tactical levels, collaborating with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain to support long-term growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in aerospace, defense, or related industrial manufacturing sales.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, Communications, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Willingness to travel 25%-50% for customer visits and events.
• Proven success selling engineered products and complex solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commercial growth strategy.
• Build relationships with key customers and partners.
• Lead business development from opportunity to contract.
• Create sales strategies highlighting capabilities and value.
• Set KPIs and review performance with leadership.
• Lead pricing, negotiations, and contract reviews.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and supply chain.
• Improve commercial processes and tools.
• Handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Translate market opportunities into initiatives.
• Balance strategic and tactical work.
• Solve problems and build customer credibility.
• Travel to meet customers and events as needed.
• Represent the business in the marketplace.

Skills

Aerospace sales

Business development

Key account management

Strategic sales leadership

Pricing & negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Loar Group (NYSE: LOAR) is seeking an experienced, commercially minded sales leader for one of its operating units located in the Midwestern United States. Loar Group specializes in acquiring and growing companies that provide highly engineered products and solutions for the global aerospace and defense market. To date, Loar has acquired 20 niche aerospace and defense businesses across the United States and Europe.

The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial, results-driven senior sales leader motivated by the opportunity to join a high-growth business. (S)he will be responsible for leading the commercial strategy of the business, meeting and exceeding the growth and profitability objectives established by the business and Loar. Under the direction of the President, (s)he will develop and execute business development, sales, and customer engagement strategies that position the business as a preferred supplier of highly engineered products and solutions within the aerospace and defense industry.

The Director, Sales will:

• Develop and execute the commercial growth strategy for the business, identifying opportunities to expand market share, and strengthen customer relationships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, prospects, industry partners, and other stakeholders while serving as a visible representative of the business in the marketplace.
• Lead business development efforts from opportunity identification through contract negotiation and award.
• Develop and execute sales strategies that emphasize the business unit's unique technical capabilities, product differentiation, and value proposition.
• Establish KPIs and performance metrics that enable data-driven decision making and commercial execution. Regularly engage with business unit and Loar leadership to review performance, opportunities, and growth initiatives.
• Drive pricing strategy, customer negotiations, contract reviews, and commercial agreements to maximize profitability while supporting sustainable long-term growth.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure customer requirements are understood and effectively supported throughout the product lifecycle.
• Evaluate and enhance commercial processes, tools, and capabilities to support the continued growth and scalability of the business.
• Other responsibilities at the discretion of the President.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate market opportunities into actionable business development and sales initiatives.
• Comfortable operating at both the strategic and tactical levels.
• Resourceful problem solver capable of navigating complex customer and business challenges.
• Strong customer focus with the ability to build credibility and lasting relationships across all levels of customer organizations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Adaptable and comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial environment focused on continuous improvement and growth.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of direct sales, business development, or account management experience within aerospace, defense, or related industrial manufacturing markets.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, Communications, or a related field required. MBA preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 25%-50% for customer visits, trade shows, business development activities, and other engagements as required
• Demonstrated success selling aerospace components, engineered products, technical manufacturing solutions, or other highly engineered products.
• Proficiency in data analysis and Microsoft Excel with a demonstrated ability to use commercial and market data to support strategic decision making.