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Sales Director – Automotive Graphics – Detroit, MI

Black Creek, GA
Full-Time
6212

We are retained by our client to find them a Director of Sales and Marketing based in Detroit, Michigan area. Our client is a leading worldwide OEM supplier of distinctive high-quality automotive trim, and supplies vehicle wrappings, films, vehicle graphics and striping to the automotive markets worldwide.

  • Title: Director of Sales and Marketing
  • Department: Sales
  • Reports To: Vice President
  • Location: Detroit, MI
  • Job Type: Full Time
  • Position ID: 6212

Salary should approach High $200k’s with incentive totaling out at $300K and above.

The Director of Sales & Marketing is responsible for the strategic leadership and overall performance of the Company’s commercial organization. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this position develops and executes sales and marketing strategies that support the Company’s long-term growth objectives while ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction, profitable revenue growth, and expansion of market share within the automotive industry.

The Director provides leadership for all sales, account management, customer service, business development, and marketing activities. This position serves as the executive sponsor for key customer relationships and works collaboratively with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Program Management to ensure customer requirements are successfully translated into profitable business opportunities and operational excellence.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field required.
  • MBA or advanced business degree preferred.
  • Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive sales leadership experience in the automotive industry, preferably within a Tier I or Tier II supplier environment.
  • Demonstrated success in strategic account management, business development, commercial negotiations, and organizational leadership.
  • Thorough understanding of automotive manufacturing, product development, quality systems, and customer-specific requirements.
  • Strong financial, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Executive Leadership

  • Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to the development and execution of the Company’s strategic direction.
  • Develop and implement the Company’s commercial strategy in alignment with corporate objectives.
  • Establish annual operating plans, departmental objectives, sales budgets, and long-range revenue forecasts.
  • Provide leadership that promotes accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the commercial organization.
  • Develop, mentor, and evaluate personnel while fostering a high-performance culture.

Sales & Business Development

  • Direct all sales, account management, customer service, and business development activities.
  • Develop strategies to increase revenue, profitability, market share, and long-term customer value.
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities with OEMs, Tier I suppliers, and strategic customers.
  • Lead commercial activities associated with new product launches, quotations, RFQs, pricing strategies, and contract negotiations.
  • Maintain an active sales pipeline and ensure achievement of annual sales and profitability objectives.
  • Establish performance metrics and monitor departmental performance through key performance indicators.

Customer Relationship Management

  • Serve as the executive sponsor for key customer accounts.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with customer executive management, purchasing, engineering, quality, and program management organizations.
  • Ensure customer expectations are understood, communicated, and consistently exceeded.
  • Lead the resolution of significant commercial issues while protecting the Company’s long-term interests.
  • Represent the Company during executive customer meetings, supplier conferences, industry events, and trade exhibitions.

Commercial Strategy & Market Development

  • Analyze market conditions, competitive activity, emerging technologies, and industry trends to identify growth opportunities.
  • Recommend new products, market segments, and strategic initiatives that support the Company’s long-term objectives.
  • Collaborate with Engineering and Product Development to align future product offerings with customer and market demands.
  • Develop pricing strategies that maximize profitability while maintaining market competitiveness.
  • Promote the Company’s image, reputation, and brand within the automotive marketplace.

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Act as the primary commercial liaison between customers and internal departments, including Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Program Management.
  • Ensure customer requirements are effectively communicated and integrated into business processes.
  • Support successful product launches and ongoing customer programs by coordinating cross-functional resources.
  • Participate in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and other executive planning activities to align customer demand with operational capabilities.
  • Drive collaboration between departments to achieve customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and financial performance.

Financial & Operational Management

  • Develop annual sales budgets, revenue forecasts, and strategic business plans.
  • Monitor sales performance, bookings, backlog, gross margin, customer profitability, and forecast accuracy.
  • Review and approve major commercial quotations, pricing proposals, and customer agreements within established authority.
  • Direct the preparation and presentation of executive sales reports, performance metrics, and market analyses.
  • Recommend corrective actions and strategic initiatives based on business performance and market conditions.

Leadership & Organizational Development

  • Direct, mentor, and develop Sales, Customer Service, Account Management, and Technical Sales personnel.
  • Establish individual performance objectives and conduct regular performance evaluations.
  • Develop succession plans and encourage professional growth throughout the commercial organization.
  • Foster a culture centered on customer satisfaction, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL & MANAGEMENT SYSTEM RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Serve as Top Management for the Company’s Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
  • Demonstrate leadership and commitment to the effectiveness of the Company’s management systems in accordance with the requirements of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and applicable customer-specific requirements.
  • Ensure customer, statutory, regulatory, quality, and environmental requirements are integrated into the Company’s business processes.
  • Participate in Management Review activities, including evaluation of key performance indicators, process effectiveness, customer satisfaction, business risks, opportunities, and continual improvement initiatives.
  • Promote customer focus throughout the organization and ensure adequate resources are available to achieve quality and environmental objectives.
  • Support continual improvement activities and encourage employee involvement in achieving operational excellence.
  • Perform all responsibilities consistent with Automotive Graphics’ Quality Policy, Environmental Policy, Corporate Mission Statement, and all applicable management system requirements.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

  • Performance in this position will be evaluated based upon, but not limited to:

    • Achievement of annual sales, profitability, and strategic growth objectives.
    • New business awards and market share growth.
    • Customer satisfaction and retention.
    • Forecast accuracy and commercial performance.
    • Development and effectiveness of the commercial organization.
    • Successful execution of strategic initiatives.

    If you have this experience and interest to hear more, please email me back to discuss this in more details. Email a copy of your updated resume and salary requirements or contact Gary Giallombardo at gary@www.centraljobs.com or Call 440-724-9500 cell.