Sales Director in Farnborough

The Sales Director is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the UK sales strategy and leading the sales function to achieve revenue and growth targets. This role manages the full sales cycle, from pipeline generation to bid approval, customer engagement, team leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration including inter‑company transactions between different Jenoptik business entities. The role requires a proactive focused leader who drives sales performance while ensuring alignment with business goals and market demands. The Sales Director will represent Jenoptik externally in front of key customers and stakeholders, while continuously enhancing internal processes and team engagement.

Responsibilities

• Collate, report, and share sales forecasts, identifying growth opportunities and emerging trends.
• Define and own the annual sales plan, revenue targets, and market share objectives.
• Collaborate cross‑departmentally with other senior leaders to shape and drive the UK company forward.
• Liaise with R&D and Product Management on new product developments and market needs.
• Align the sales strategy with corporate goals, product roadmap and marketing initiatives.
• Review and approve commercial proposals, bids, and contract negotiations.
• Oversee customer engagement events and represent Jenoptik with key stakeholders and decision‑makers.
• Draw up target agreements, coaching and developing a team of sales and bid professionals, setting clear performance expectations.
• Champion a customer‑centric, data‑driven, and collaborative sales culture.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve sales processes.
• Promote Jenoptik's brand, values and thought leadership in the market.
• Manage the departmental budget, working closely with Finance & Controlling on revenue forecasting, pricing, and financial accuracy.
• Coordinate with Projects & Field Service teams to ensure reliable delivery and customer satisfaction.

This role requires a blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and strong people‑management skills. You are a confident and strategic sales leader with excellent communication skills and strong technical focus. You can work independently, manage multiple priorities under tight timelines, and thrive in a target‑driven environment. You are passionate about building high‑performing teams, influencing others, and developing long‑term customer relationships. You demonstrate sound commercial judgement, strategic agility, and the ability to make data‑driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop a high‑performing team.
• Demonstrable strategic thinking and strong commercial judgement.
• Ability to remain calm in high‑pressure and negotiations.
• Outstanding relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical thinking and excellent attention to detail.
• Degree education preferred or significant demonstrable business & commercial acumen in a comparable role.
• Experience in ITS and TLE or similar technology/engineering sector would be advantageous.
• Experience leading high‑performing commercial teams.
• Good understanding of TLE products, how they work, and the technical challenges faced by them and any regulatory approvals.
• Travel experience not essential but Europe, MEA, APAC & USA.
• Successful security clearance and vetting is mandatory for this role.

Jenoptik is an international photonics group with representatives in over 80 countries. Optical technologies are the foundation of our business. We employ around 4,000 people worldwide. At Jenoptik, people with the specific JENIUS character are changing the world with the power of light. That demands a spirit of exploration and dedication. If you’re one of us, come meet the challenges facing the world. At Jenoptik, we’re creating a better future for all of us. The Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions division offers photonics‑based, innovative and sustainable solutions, including technologies and services for traffic safety, public safety and toll control. For this purpose, Jenoptik develops, manufactures and distributes components, systems and services which contribute towards greater road traffic safety throughout the world. The product portfolio comprises comprehensive systems relating to all aspects of road traffic, such as speed measurement and red light monitoring systems, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) products and systems for the detection of traffic violations. Thanks to the digital combination of several sensor technologies with software and data management, Jenoptik is also a new systems supplier for truck toll monitoring on federal highways in Germany. Work with us to ensure that our components, systems and services contribute to making roads and communities safer.