Job Description

The Director of Sales - Great Lakes provides leadership and direction to sales team. In cooperation with customer service and sales administration teams develop systems, processes, procedures and goal-oriented business plans aligned with the company’s goals to facilitate a customer-focused sales group. Develop a hiring and training strategy and implement to ensure long-term customer satisfaction with a well-focused sales group.

Provide daily support to Regional Sales Managers, while ensuring close cooperation with other sales teams. Includes application identification, customer development and closing of all business opportunities and assuring the satisfaction of these customers in their region. Expected to work with and provide direction to both internal and external marketing functions. Recommend adjustments to the organization, product changes, and/or services to meet the customer’s expectations.

This position will travel in excess of 50% with the remainder of the time being spent in the office to ensure proper preparation and follow-up. Domestic and international travel required. Some weekend work required. Schedule needs to be flexible to accommodate travel, customer needs, trade shows, meetings, and customer schedules.

Incumbent must reside within the greater Chicago metropolitan area and be within reasonable driving distance of a major airport. When not traveling, the incumbent will work from the Great Lakes Regional Office or a home office to support planning, customer engagement, administrative responsibilities, and follow-up activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategic sales and marketing plans, as well as forecasts to achieve corporate objectives for products and services. Participate in the establishment of corporate goals.
• Develop and manage sales/marketing operating budgets
• Develop and recommend product positioning, packaging, and pricing strategy to produce the highest possible long-term market share
• Achieve satisfactory profit/loss ratio and market share in relation to preset standards and industry and economic trends
• Ensure effective control of marketing results, and take corrective action to guarantee that achievement of marketing objectives falls within designated budgets
• Oversee and evaluate market research and adjust marketing strategy to meet changing market and competitive conditions
• Monitor and report on competitor products, and sales and marketing activities
• Participate in the planning and execution of industry related trade shows
• Maintain professional and collaborative relationships with international colleagues
• Establish and maintain relationships with industry influencers and key strategic partners
• Establish and maintain a consistent corporate image throughout all product lines, promotional materials, and events
• Direct sales forecasting activities and set performance goals accordingly
• Represent organization at trade association meetings to promote products and company
• Engage with clients, assisting sales team with maintaining relationships, and negotiating and closing deals
• Serve as liaison between Sales and other departments
• Analyze and control expenditures of division to conform to budgetary requirements
• Assist other departments within organization to prepare manuals and technical publications
• Prepare periodic sales reports showing sales volume, potential sales, and areas of proposed client base expansion
• Review and analyze sales performance against goals to evaluate effectiveness
• Manage and direct staff including recruitment, selection and development to achieve goals and objectives
• Define, establish and enhance the roles, goals, and responsibilities for all associates within the department. Ensure that all associates are effectively trained and skill sets match performance requirements. Continually assess goals and progress towards goals on both individual and team levels.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, sales & marketing, business administration, or related field and five years industry related experience with progressive managerial responsibilities.

Computer Skills:Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and Power Point, and working knowledge of CRM applications required.

Certificates and Licenses:Current valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain a passport for travel as required by position.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises a team. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include hiring and training associates; planning, assigning, and directing work; evaluating performance; applying recognition and discipline as appropriate; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and developing associates through coaching, counseling, and mentoring. Ensures effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.