Director of Sales Automotive - North America

The Head of Sales North America will lead all aspects of the commercial function in the North America region leading a team across the US and Mexico. This includes the commercial strategy, key customer relationships with Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs and the overall development, growth, and performance of the team in the region.

Client Details

Our client for the Head of Sales North America is a global manufacturer and supplier to automotive, e-mobility, industrial, and mass transit. They are high growth mode and reinvesting heavily back into to the company while maintaining and driving strong profitability. As a leading Tier 2 automotive supplier they are looking to double globally in the next 5 years with a heavy focus on the North America region. They are currently doubling their Mexico manufacturing footprint building a new facility adjacent to their current facility.

The Head of Sales North America will lead all aspects of the commercial function in the North America region leading a team across the US and Mexico. This includes the commercial strategy, key customer relationships with Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs and the overall development, growth, and performance of the team in the region. The Head of Sales must have a strong automotive commercial leadership background, preferably with strong experience selling to wiring, electrical distribution, and similar suppliers/customers. The core business is Automotive Tier 1 customers; however, they are also looking to expand in North America within the Industrial sector as well.

Description

• Responsible for executing the commercial strategy in the North America region with full commercial P&L ownership
• Identify growth opportunities with automotive tier 1 customers such as Yazaki, Lear, Versigent, Lear and others.
• Build strong customer relationships and strategic partnerships to assess customer needs and recommend appropriate products with Tier 1 customers, building and maintaining executive level relationships with the Tier 1 customers
• Drive new business acquisitions with the sales team ensuring conversion of RFQs
• Achieve and exceed Budget Sales and Gross Margin for the North America region
• Lead strategic negotiations with customers regarding contracts, pricing, long term agreements, etc.
• Ensure all reports, plans, forecasts and administrative requirements are completed accurately and in a timely manner both personally and for the team. Meet all reporting deadlines as are set by the Managing Director and Chief Sales Officer
• Lead, coach, and develop a sales team across the US and Mexico driving performance
• Set clear KPIs and goals for sales organization and sales team members
• Identify target growth segments where there is opportunity to diversify and grow into new markets and new applications
• Provide regular and relevant feedback on Market conditions, competitor activities and progress towards business objectives.
• Analyze the current market position, i.e. the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
• Work closely with engineering, quality, supply chain, and finance driving execution excellence
• Ensure compliance and risk management, as well as high data integrity and transparency within the CRM system

Profile

• Bachelor's Degree in business, engineering, or related
• 15 plus years of experience in Automotive sales and business development
• 3 years of sales and commercial leadership experience within automotive
• Must have experience working with Tier 1 customers such as Yazaki, Lear, Aptiv (Versigent), and similar
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems with accounts in complex technical environments
• Experience within wiring, electrical distribution systems, thermal and electrical insulation - highly preferred
• Strong hunter mentality with a strong track record of development new business
• Strong leadership capability and track record leading and developing a sales team
• Analytical and organizational skills, strong financial acumen
• Experience working in a global organization and cross functionally with other regions
• Ability to travel 30-40% in the US and Mexico

Job Offer

Base salary $190,000 - $230,000 depending on experience, annual bonus, car allowance, full benefits, 401K, vacation, holidays and working for a global growing organization in a highly visible role.