The Sales Manager will be responsible for delivering the annual sales and profitability objectives for a textile business generating revenues in the tens of millions of dollars. This individual will lead key account management, develop new business opportunities, and oversee the effectiveness and long-term development of the North American sales team.
The ideal candidate will bring extensive knowledge of the North American textile market, established relationships with textile manufacturers, and a proven ability to identify and develop profitable new business opportunities.
This position will lead the U.S. and Canadian sales organization while directly managing strategic customer accounts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Achieve annual sales, revenue, and profitability targets for the U.S. and Canadian textile business.
- Manage strategic accounts and translate market opportunities into actionable customer development plans.
- Identify and develop new business opportunities that generate sustainable, profitable growth.
- Use CRM tools to establish project targets, track opportunities, manage pipelines, and measure results.
- Visit key customers alongside members of the sales team to strengthen relationships and identify growth opportunities.
- Conduct monthly sales operating reviews and biweekly meetings with sales representatives to evaluate pipelines and advance new business opportunities.
- Assess the current sales organization and develop succession, recruiting, and talent-development plans.
- Partner with business management, global product management, and business development teams to strengthen product positioning and market-development tools.
- Coordinate laboratory and technical support resources for selected customer accounts and growth initiatives.
- Provide pricing guidance to the sales team in partnership with business management.
- Manage and optimize sales and distribution channels, including distributors, dealers, and independent agents.
- Monitor accounts receivable and ensure performance aligns with company objectives.
- Recruit and onboard new key account managers as needed due to growth, succession, or replacement requirements.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, textile chemistry, or a related technical or business discipline.
- MBA or equivalent business experience preferred.
- At least 10 years of sales experience within the textile, textile chemical, specialty chemical, or closely related industry.
- At least five years of sales leadership, management, or supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated experience selling to textile manufacturers throughout the United States and Canada.
- Proven success developing new accounts and expanding business with existing customers.
- Experience leading, evaluating, and developing a geographically dispersed sales team.
- Strong understanding of pricing, profitability, financial analysis, forecasting, and business reporting.
- Familiarity with textile manufacturing, chemical products, technical applications, and product management.
- Strong organizational, planning, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with CRM platforms and standard business technology.
Location
This position is preferably based on-site in Charlotte, North Carolina. Remote candidates may be considered based on experience, industry relationships, and proximity to key customers. Regular travel throughout the United States and Canada is required to support key accounts, develop new business, and lead the sales organization.