Director of Sales - Hose Division

When Alfred Fain founded a small Rhode Island tire store in 1924, at the time no one could have predicted how Teknor Apex would become an international custom compounder sought out by companies around the world. After a nearly hundred-year journey that's carried us through acquisitions and expansion, we now have nine U.S. locations, as well as operations in Belgium, Singapore, Germany, and China.

Throughout this global expansion Teknor has remained a privately held company, and today Fain's grandson sits at the helm, maintaining the family's tradition of fostering deep employee and customer relationships. These relationships are what allow us-together-to deliver customized compound solutions and help our customer's create better products.

"Manufacturing is a team sport, and we work together to achieve our goals." ~Jon Fain

Job Description:

Lead the commercial strategy and execution for the Hose Division to deliver profitable growth, achieve annual operating plan objectives, and strengthen customer relationships across all channels. This role owns sales performance, pricing strategy, distribution management, and key customer programs while ensuring decisions support both revenue growth and profitability targets. Partnering closely with sales leaders, customers, and internal stakeholders, this individual identifies market opportunities, solves customer challenges, and drives effective go-to-market strategies. Success in this role requires strong business judgment, financial acumen, and the ability to translate market insights into measurable results. Through decisive leadership and accountability, this position contributes directly to the divisions performance and long-term success.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales and marketing strategies that deliver profitable growth, achieve AOP objectives, and support long-term business success.
• Lead commercial planning, pricing, and customer programs to maximize revenue, margin, and overall financial performance.
• Negotiate customer pricing, sales agreements, and marketing initiatives to strengthen partnerships and drive profitable results.
• Manage distribution channels and customer portfolios to optimize market coverage, profitability, and growth opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, channel partners, and the sales organization to support business objectives.
• Develop and evaluate customer and channel-specific sales strategies based on market conditions, customer demand, and business performance.
• Analyze customer profitability and growth opportunities to guide commercial decisions and resource allocation.
• Establish sales and profit goals for sales managers and major accounts, and provide leadership to achieve performance expectations.
• Guide a team consisting of internal Factory Sales Managers as well as independent agencies and brokers to drive execution, solve business challenges, and improve team effectiveness.
• Review sales forecasts, budgets, and division financial results to identify opportunities for improved performance and profitability.
• Lead customer-focused advertising, promotional, and pricing initiatives, including the execution of price increases when appropriate.
• Review employee performance, ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, and perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

Other Essential Functions:

• Position assumes full managerial responsibility for a single department with multiple functions or acts as a coordinator of multiple departments.
• Position has budget responsibilities up to $28,000,000 and revenue responsibilities in excess of $200,000,000.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Position requires between 8-10 years' sales experience.
• Four-year degree or equivalent experience in a field of study such as business, marketing, etc.
• Position requires an ability to plan and execute programs based on consumer buying trends, fashion, market consolidation, and weather patterns. It is necessary to be creative and present new programs and new products to keep customers ahead of their competition while keeping Teknor Apex ahead of the competition in all distribution channels. Must constantly uncover and assess the needs of new markets and customers.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 15 lbs
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone

This description is a summary of principal responsibilities and is not intended to include all duties that may be assigned.

Teknor Apex is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status under state or federal laws. Must be 18 years of age or older to work at Teknor Apex.