Regional Sales Manager in Ford

G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications, often for deployment in harsh environments. Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognised for the breadth of its acousto‑optic, electro‑optic, crystal‑optic, fibre‑optic, and precision optic products.

We are currently recruiting for a Sales Manager to be based in Germany. This role is for technical sales to develop business at key customer accounts across the DACH region: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In this role you'll act as both the technical and commercial liaison between the customer and site engineering/manufacturing teams. This role requires a combination of both applications engineering knowledge and commercial acumen as they relate to the G&H product portfolio. The successful applicant will be responsible for identifying and nurturing opportunities to win and grow company sales in Europe. The ideal candidate is a motivated, well‑organised individual who has a deep understanding of prospecting and developing strong relationships with customers.

RESPONSIBILITIES & PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Be a primary contact for customers.
• Provide presentations, RFQ responses and liaise with key customer technical staff and decision makers to facilitate sales.
• Provide high level technical sales and application understanding in support of sales & business development managers.
• Understand business and application requirements & how these translate into technical product specifications and provide suitable sales responses to the customer.
• Enable and drive identified opportunities through G&H’s gate process to a win.
• Work with product management to identify market needs, competitive pricing, lead times and margin models for existing or new products.
• Identify target customers for G&H and assist with development of formal sales plans and proposals for assigned opportunities.
• Own technical liaison & process for customer pre/post‑sales support items & issues.
• Effectively use G&H's SalesForce CRM to track opportunities and provide unit and revenue forecasting data to product management & manufacturing.
• Perform in-depth and high‑level presentations and demonstrations for G&H at customers and conferences in Europe.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• BSc or MSc in Physics, Materials Science, Mathematics or Engineering (Optics/Electronics).
• MBA / Business Degree (or equivalent) is an advantage, but not essential.
• Proven success in technical sales, product marketing or applications experience in photonics.
• Strong understanding of photonics, semiconductor, life science, aerospace and laser applications/markets.
• Knowledge of lasers, optics, crystal optics, electro‑optics, acousto‑optics as well as experience in industrial and/or biomedical laser applications.
• Experience in project management, negotiation and relationship management would be preferred.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of business decisions.
• Strong writing & language skills, with the capability of writing customer reports as required, as well as experience of presenting technical data.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Location: We're looking for someone based in Germany.
• Travel: expected travel to G&H sites and customer locations (Up to 30% of the time).
• Languages: fluent in German (spoken and written), and very good (e.g. CEFR level C1) English (spoken and written).

Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.