Sales Manager - North America

About HEF Group

HEF Group is an employee-owned global leader in material science, surface treatment and coating.
HEF develops and delivers advanced tribology solutions, from R&D through industrial production, including Tribology Testing, Nitriding, PVD/DLC Coatings, and Friction Components, for 70 years +. With close to 100 sites across 22 countries, HEF serves customers in automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, industrial, and mechanical markets. Learn more at hef-na.com or hef.group.

Position Summary

HEF is seeking an experienced Sales Manager - North America to lead regional sales growth for its Surface Treatments and Coatings division. This role will manage and develop a team of 10-15 sales professionals, strengthen key customer relationships, and generate new business for nitriding, PVD/DLC coatings, and related surface-engineering solutions. This position will report to the Regional Management and the Global Sales Director.

The candidate is a technically credible B2B sales leader with a strong network in surface-engineering, coating, and the heat treatment industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and further develop a North American sales representative network.
• Drive revenue growth, sales forecasting and regional performance against objectives.
• Develop new customers and expand existing accounts.
• Build relationships with plant-level decision-makers and senior customer leadership.
• Lead visits, negotiations, RFQ and development, contract discussions, and closing activities.
• Partner with site management, production planners, internal sales teams and marketing to ensure profitable growth and customer satisfaction.
• Present sales results, market intelligence, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to regional and corporate management.
• Representing HEF at customer sites, trade shows, networking events and industry meetings.
• Maintain strong technical knowledge of HEF processes and customer applications to provide relevant technical and engineering support.
• Implement company sales strategies and organizational directives within the region.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in technical sales management, business development, account management, or customer-facing commercial leadership within heat treatment, coatings, surface engineering, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing sales professionals.
• Bachelor's degree in Materials, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, or Management preferred.
• Strong experience selling surface-engineering, PVD/DLC coating, nitriding, heat treatment, metal finishing, plating, or related technical solutions.
• Knowledge of material science and industrial markets; familiarity with automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, energy or mechanical applications is preferred.
• Proven ability to open new accounts, develop strategic customer relationships, negotiate contracts, and close complex technical sales.
• Excellent communication, presentation, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, forecasting, and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Proficiency with CRM, sales software, data analysis, and conferencing tools.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout North America; preferred base in Ohio or Maine.

Compensation & Benefits

HEF is committed to providing a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and long-term success.

Benefits include:

• Employee Ownership Opportunity: Eligible employees may have the opportunity to become a shareholder of HEF following one year of employment.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: A retirement savings program designed to support employees in planning for their financial future.