Director I, North American Sales

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director I, North American Sales is responsible for providing effective leadership to the sales, applications and support/service teams. The primary responsibility is to meet or exceed territory sales targets within budget and manage all commercial aspects of the business. This position provides leadership and direction for all aspects of daily operations, sales processes, and strategic initiatives (short and long range) targeted toward existing and new markets. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Responsible for ensuring the team meets/exceeds projected sales targets; control expenses to ensure profitability targets for the region.

• Maintain an accurate sales channel and “go to” market model, to meet or exceed projected sales targets.

• Responsible for accurate order forecasting.

• Responsible for establishing a U.S sales strategy and ensure proper execution by team members to drive desired behaviors in the sales organization.

• Prepare the annual territory sales plan, in conjunction with business partners that details the financial expectations and the associated activities and expectations for the teams to run an effective sales organization.   

• Prepare and defend the justification for investments and other changes to the regional team.

• Help identify key opinion and thought leaders in the industry. Works with management to translate to strategies to identify and retain key account relationships.

• Actively plan a range of field marketing activities including attendance at tradeshows, seminars, product launches and regular product specific mail-outs, necessary to drive funnel health.

• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals. Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality. Helps identify high performers to groom for potential succession planning.

• Hire, train, develop, discipline/terminate staff as necessary, in accordance with company policies and federal/state regulations, with input from the Human Resources department.

• Lead regular meetings and educational opportunities with team to ensure they are fully informed of company products and activities.  Participates in annual and other meetings as needed to ensure sales activities reach the greatest impact.

• Generate and protect a strong customer referral base and utilize effectively to drive market penetration.

• Drive territory commitment to customer satisfaction by overseeing the resolution of issues/complaints and when appropriate escalating the issues.

• Drive efficient business process within the territory including monthly and quarterly country and territory level reviews that result in an action plan to achieve revenue, expense and funnel health targets.

• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the current and future market trends, including funding availability, technology trends, customer applications and competitive technology.

• Ensure compliance with all company, policies, processes and codes of conduct for yourself and your direct reports.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Life Sciences preferred. MBA desirable but not required. 

• A minimum of 10 years of sales management experience; at least 5 years of senior-level management experience.

• Experience as a leader amongst peers, presenting ideas and driving new initiatives forward.  

• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience

• Previous experience working within an ISO, GMP and/or biotechnology industry organization is strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• In-depth understanding of the Pharma/Biotechnology industry and the related academic and research institutions.

• Superior leadership skills with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of staff management practices and processes and the ability to establish accountabilities and expectations and manage performance to achieve results

• Knowledge of business operations, including effective budget development and management processes, as well as the ability to translate strategic thinking into action plans and related outcomes.

• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities and issues of varying complexity, while meeting time-