Market Leader

Market Leader

Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and technically proficient sales leader to drive growth across the commercial marine, shipbuilding, offshore oil and gas, and government markets. This highly independent, field-based role focuses on developing new business, expanding existing accounts, and fostering strong relationships with shipyards, vessel operators, engineering firms, contractors, and procurement teams throughout the Gulf Coast region. The ideal candidate is proactive, enjoys prospecting, conducting frequent customer visits, influencing project specifications, and building long-term customer partnerships. This role also involves expanding market presence while maintaining and growing established defense and military-specification business.

Responsibilities

• Engage in outside sales and business development by visiting customers directly, prospecting, and expanding accounts.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities within commercial shipbuilding, marine transportation, offshore energy, and defense markets.
• Develop strategic account plans to increase revenue, market share, and customer loyalty.
• Build and maintain relationships with shipyard executives, engineers, procurement teams, vessel operators, and contractors.
• Anticipate upcoming vessel construction, overhaul, and offshore projects prior to formal bidding processes.
• Understand customer requirements and recommend suitable marine-grade wire, cable, and electrical products.
• Support technical discussions related to product specifications, application needs, and compliant alternatives.
• Influence product specifications and purchasing decisions throughout project lifecycles, from initial opportunity to contract award.
• Present tailored proposals, pricing, and quotations to meet customer needs.
• Promote value-added solutions such as custom cable cutting, kitting, labeling, and vendor-managed inventory programs.
• Retain and grow existing military and defense accounts while developing new commercial opportunities.
• Build and maintain a qualified sales pipeline, tracking opportunities and sales forecasts within Salesforce CRM.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, customer requirements, and pricing conditions.
• Establish measurable sales goals and report progress to leadership.
• Collaborate with manufacturers, sourcing, operations, and internal sales teams to deliver competitive solutions.
• Coordinate with supplier representatives on joint sales efforts, product positioning, and specification opportunities.
• Communicate customer feedback and market intelligence to support strategic planning.
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and customer meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred; relevant experience considered.
• Minimum of five years of technical outside sales experience, ideally within commercial shipbuilding, marine electrical products, wire and cable, offshore oil and gas, or related industrial markets.
• Proven success in new business development, territory growth, and account management.
• Experience working with shipyards, OEMs, engineering teams, technical buyers, procurement professionals, or defense contractors.
• Strong understanding of technical product specifications and effective communication of application requirements.
• Familiarity with commercial marine standards and military specifications is highly desirable.
• Experience managing complex, project-based sales from initial opportunity through contract award.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Salesforce CRM.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a field-based sales environment.
• Willingness to travel approximately 60-70% throughout the Gulf Coast region.
• Technical knowledge of marine-grade wire and cable, shipboard power and communication systems, instrumentation, and control cables is beneficial.
• Familiarity with applicable standards such as IEEE 1580, UL 1309, IEC 60092, MIL-DTL-24640, and MIL-DTL-24643 is a plus.