Sales Director - Schuler North America

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Sales and Customer Relations

• Serve customers by selling standard and customized Schuler equipment under its Battery Division, including mass production battery cell assembly (such as notching, punching, winding, stacking, filling, etc.) equipment and battery cell formation, degassing and aging equipment. Solutions can range from single machines to complete turn-key systems.
• Services existing accounts, obtains requests for quotations and orders, and establishes new accounts by planning and organizing daily work schedule to call on existing or potential others in the industry.
• Support customers by investigating problems, developing solutions, and preparing reports.
• Maintains and develops business contacts and relationships in support of all Schuler Battery products.
• Acts as company representative at trade association meetings and shows.
• Participates and/or leads technology and product presentations.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
• Availability to travel, including internationally.

Opportunities Management

• Analyze the feasibility of technical specifications in RFQs to ensure alignment with Schuler's product capabilities.
• Engage with customers to understand their needs and preferences, ensuring all details are clear and accurately addressed.
• Coordinate with engineering and product management teams to develop competitive quotes.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation and submission of quotations to customers.
• Follow up on submitted quotations to address any customer queries or concerns and lead the process towards order placement.
• Coordinate with finance and legal departments to ensure compliance with company policies and contractual obligations.
• Manage the transition from quotation to purchase order, ensuring all quotation and contract review processes are followed as per company policy.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to confirm order details and ensure smooth handover to Project Management.
• Supports customers to escalate eventual issues on orders by collecting information and facilitating solutions with our organization, including preparation of recommendations to management.

Strategic Planning and Market Analysis

• Collaborates with executive leadership to develop sales quotas and strategies. Prepares annual sales budget.
• Coordinates sales and market development activities with the Director of Sales and Marketing. Develops customer and market-specific workshops and training events.
• Support product marketing efforts by identifying new company product line information. As necessary, assist marketing in updating product presentation media (e.g., PowerPoint presentations, domestic and global installations, technical papers, etc.).
• Monitors competition by gathering current marketplace information on pricing, products, new products, delivery schedules, and merchandising techniques.
• Identifies and analyzes customer preferences to properly direct sales efforts. Recommends changes in products, service, and policy by evaluating results and competitive developments.
• Supports our Global Key Account Managers, Market Segment Managers, and Product Managers. May be assigned as a local Key Account Manager.

Reporting and Administration

• Maintains records of activities and logs by using CRM software.
• Keeps management informed by submitting sales activity and results reports, such as call reports, weekly work plans, and monthly and annual market analyses.
• Provides historical records by maintaining records on area and customer sales.
• Collect and update information about the customer’s installed base to improve future sales efforts.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Electrical, Mechanical or Industrial engineering.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in production equipment for battery manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of the battery cell market, including companies, products, technologies, applications and capabilities.
• Customer Management
• Project Management Experience is a plus.
• Independent working style
• Strong communication, interpersonal, sales, prospecting, presentation, and negotiations skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Able to read and understand technical drawings.
• Customer oriented.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office (Excel, MS Teams, Outlook and PowerPoint) and CRM software.
• Possess strong analytical aptitude.
• Proficient computer skills with the ability to learn new software.
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task and to work in dynamic business environment; Adaptable to change
• Self-motivated and results oriented; Ability to use judgement and make decisions independently
• Teamwork oriented to resolve problems and achieve goals
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Fluent in English with advanced reading and writing skills
• German and/or Portuguese Language skills would be a plus.
• Visa holders/English as Second Language (ESL) individuals must take TOEFL exam and score above passing grade.