National Sales Director

Building the U.S. Platform for a European Power Equipment Manufacturer Location: New York Metropolitan Area / broader Northeast (frequent U.S.-wide travel) Reports to: Board of Directors Build the U.S. Sales Engine Ahead of Factory Launch This is a start-from-zero, hands-on-builder role: the chance to stand up the entire U.S. commercial function for a European industrial group ahead of the launch of its domestic manufacturing operations, and to personally land the anchor accounts that prove the business out. The Company is a European-headquartered industrial group entering the U.S. market across two power infrastructure segments: Distribution and power transformers - backed by an established manufacturer with decades of production experience and an existing international customer base. Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) built on roughly six years of wholesale distribution across Europe and the U.S., with approximately 1.5 GWh delivered cumulatively to integrators building containerized BESS solutions. Both lines ride the same demand curve, grid modernization, renewable interconnection, data center expansion, and domestic supply-chain policy, and share real customer overlap, particularly in utilities and data centers. With U.S. manufacturing on the horizon, the Company is hiring a Director of Sales, North America to build the commercial platform from the ground up: strategy, process, and the first customer wins, all at once. The Non-Negotiable Must come from an OEM / manufacturer background - someone who has personally sold power equipment (transformers and/or lithium-ion BESS) as the vendor. Must NOT be a developer, IPP, or EPC profile whose experience is limited to buying, specifying, or procuring this equipment. Must bring active, self-sourced customer and procurement relationships across utilities, data centers, IPPs, and EPCs - built from the sell side of the table. The Opportunity – Set the Strategy, Then Go Sell It This is not a role for someone who wants an established playbook and a warm territory. You will set the U.S. go-to-market strategy for both product lines, build the sales organization and processes from scratch, and personally open and close the accounts that validate the launch - all while coordinating with international manufacturing, engineering, and executive teams across time zones. You will: Own Go-to-Market Strategy – Define and execute the U.S. commercial strategy across transformers and BESS, from priority markets to channel structure. Build the Sales Organization – Stand up CRM, pipeline management, account planning, forecasting, and proposal coordination essentially from a blank sheet. Personally Drive Key Accounts – Develop and manage relationships across utilities, data centers, IPPs, EPC contractors, and project developers. Secure Anchor Commitments – Land preferred-supplier positions, framework agreements, and initial commercial commitments ahead of factory launch. Lead Complex Deals – Run proposals, tenders, pricing, and contract negotiations alongside international technical and manufacturing teams. Key Responsibilities Go-to-Market & Deal Execution Develop and execute the U.S. go-to-market strategy across both product lines. Identify priority markets, customer segments, strategic accounts, and channel opportunities. Lead complex proposals, tenders, pricing discussions, and contract negotiations in coordination with international technical, engineering, manufacturing, and executive teams. Translate customer requirements and market feedback into product, production, and commercial priorities. Build the initial U.S. sales organization and establish disciplined commercial processes - CRM, pipeline management, account planning, forecasting, and proposal coordination. Develop the hiring plan for the broader U.S. commercial team as the business scales. Relationship & Channel Development Personally develop and manage key customer relationships across utilities, data centers, IPPs, EPC contractors, and project developers. Establish relationships with distributors, manufacturer representatives, EPC firms, engineering companies, and strategic channel partners. Secure anchor customers, preferred-supplier positions, framework agreements, and initial commercial commitments ahead of the factory launch. Your Background – What We're Looking For (Beyond the OEM/manufacturer-origin requirement above, which is a hard filter, not a preference.) Sector Depth – Strong commercial background in one or more of: power transformers and grid equipment, BESS, utility-scale electrical infrastructure, data center/mission-critical power, or related industrial power equipment. Credible Access – Real relationships with decision-makers across utilities, data centers, EPCs, IPPs, or project developers — depth in at least one segment is essential. Builder Track Record – Experience launching a new product line, entering a new market, or building a commercial function from an early stage. Self-Sufficiency – Able to operate effectively without the support infrastructure of a large corporation. Strategic + Hands-On – Combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution and strong process discipline. Cross-Border Fluency – Can work effectively with international manufacturing, technical, and ownership teams across multiple time zones. Commercially Ambitious – Highly organized, capable of managing multiple long-cycle, technically complex opportunities simultaneously. Experience – Minimum 5 years in a relevant commercial role; candidates at various seniority levels will be considered. What Success Looks Like — First 12 Months A clear U.S. market-entry and account-development plan in place. A qualified pipeline of high-value commercial opportunities. Established relationships with priority customers and strategic channel partners. The Company's initial sales and proposal-management infrastructure implemented. Anchor accounts and commercial commitments secured, supporting the launch of U.S. manufacturing. A hiring plan delivered for the broader U.S. sales team. What's In It for You? Build Something From Zero – Set the strategy and the org chart, not just execute someone else's. Direct Impact – Your deals are the proof points the factory launch is built on. Competitive Compensation – $150k–$180k base plus commission, targeting $250k OTE. This bonus is highly achievable in year one so $250k should be your target comp goal. Clear Growth Path – A defined route into broader leadership of the Company's U.S. commercial organization and, potentially, its future U.S. operations. Global Exposure – Work directly with international manufacturing, technical, and ownership teams shaping a new market entry. #J-18808-Ljbffr