At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales strategy and drive business growth across North America in fire protection.
- Company: Join KiddeFenwal, a global leader in innovative fire suppression systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career advancement in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fire safety while leading a dynamic sales team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in sales, with strong leadership and negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
KiddeFenwal is a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative industrial and commercial fire suppression systems and safety controls. Our proprietary, fully certified solutions save lives, protect property, and minimize business disruption.
Our trusted brands—Kidde Fire Systems and Kidde Fire Protection—deliver highly engineered fire suppression, detection, and control systems for industrial, commercial, and marine applications. Fenwal Controls supports OEMs with advanced gas ignition, temperature control, and overheat detection products.
Headquartered in Ashland, Massachusetts, KiddeFenwal operates worldwide with facilities in the United States, United Kingdom (KFI-UK), and India (KTI-India).
Position Overview
The Sales Director – North America is responsible for leading the overall commercial strategy, sales execution, and business development activities across the United States and Canada. This is a senior, customer-facing leadership role accountable for revenue growth, market expansion, channel development, and strategic account management across the region.
The role owns both strategic direction and operational execution for North America, ensuring alignment with global business objectives while adapting to regional market dynamics. The Sales Director drives new customer acquisition, strengthens existing relationships, and expands market share through direct sales, distribution partnerships, OEM relationships, and solution-based selling.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the North America commercial strategy aligned with regional and global business objectives.
- Own revenue targets, profitability goals, and market share growth across the United States and Canada.
- Lead short- and mid-term strategic planning (1–3 years) including market penetration, customer acquisition, and expansion initiatives.
- Identify and prioritize key end-user segments, vertical markets, and growth opportunities.
- Partner with executive leadership to align commercial priorities with operational capabilities and product strategies.
- Sales & Business Development
- Drive new business acquisition through direct engagement, strategic partnerships, and distribution channels.
- Serve as executive sponsor and primary relationship owner for highly visible, strategic, and national accounts.
- Identify large and complex bid opportunities; lead negotiation strategy and commercial positioning.
- Oversee proposal development, pricing strategy, value positioning, and contract negotiations.
- Build and maintain a strong regional pipeline and ensure accurate forecasting of sales opportunities.
- Develop growth strategies for key markets including industrial, commercial, marine, OEM, and special hazard fire protection applications.
- Develop and expand distribution networks and channel partnerships throughout North America.
- Lead territory planning, channel strategy, and partner performance management.
- Strengthen relationships with distributors, system integrators, consultants, EPC firms, and key industry influencers.
- Ensure channel alignment with company strategy, brand standards, and compliance requirements.
- Evaluate channel effectiveness and implement initiatives to improve market coverage and commercial performance.
- Build long-term strategic relationships with key customers, consultants, and industry stakeholders.
- Represent the company at industry events, trade associations, customer meetings, and trade shows.
- Provide regular market intelligence including competitor activity, pricing trends, customer feedback, and emerging technologies.
- Deliver commercial insights to leadership to influence product development, innovation, and go-to-market strategies.
- Promote customer-centric selling strategies focused on value creation and long-term partnerships.
- Lead, coach, and develop the North America sales team to achieve performance targets and growth objectives.
- Establish clear KPIs, accountability structures, and performance management processes.
- Foster a high-performance, customer-focused sales culture centered on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Influence and collaborate cross-functionally with operations, engineering, finance, marketing, product management, and customer service teams.
- Support talent development, succession planning, and organizational capability building within the commercial organization.
- Operational Excellence
- Ensure disciplined CRM utilization, reporting accuracy, and forecasting consistency.
- Monitor sales performance metrics and implement corrective actions where required.
- Maintain compliance with contractual, legal, regulatory, and corporate governance requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement in sales processes, commercial effectiveness, and customer engagement practices.
- Support pricing governance, margin management, and commercial risk mitigation initiatives.
- Qualifications & Experience
- 10+ years of progressive sales experience, with at least 5 years in a commercial leadership role.
- Experience within the Fire Protection, Industrial Safety, Building Systems, OEM, or related technical industries strongly preferred.
- Proven success leading regional or national sales organizations across North America.
- Strong experience in distribution/channel development and strategic account management.
- Demonstrated success managing complex negotiations, commercial agreements, and large-scale customer relationships.
- Experience presenting technical and commercial solutions to distributors, end users, consultants, EPC firms, and executive stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of contractual frameworks, compliance requirements, and commercial risk management.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at executive and customer levels.
- High level of initiative, strategic thinking, business acumen, and decision-making capability.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and CRM platforms.
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field preferred.
- Willingness to travel up to 40–50% across North America.
North America Sales Director: Fire Protection Growth in London employer: Kidde Fenwal Inc.
KiddeFenwal is an exceptional employer that prioritises innovation, safety, and employee development within the dynamic field of fire protection. Located in Ashland, Massachusetts, we offer a collaborative work culture that fosters teamwork and encourages professional growth through strategic leadership opportunities. Our commitment to protecting lives and property translates into meaningful work for our employees, supported by competitive benefits and a focus on continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land North America Sales Director: Fire Protection Growth in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Sales Director gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company inside out. Understand their products, values, and market position. When you know your stuff, you can impress them in interviews and show you're the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience and how it aligns with their needs. Tailor your stories to highlight your successes in sales leadership and strategic growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace North America Sales Director: Fire Protection Growth in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Sales Director role. Highlight your experience in fire protection and sales leadership, and show us how you can drive growth in North America.
Showcase Your Achievements:We want to see your successes! Include specific examples of how you've led teams, developed strategies, and achieved revenue targets in your previous roles. Numbers speak volumes!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kidde Fenwal Inc.
✨Know Your Fire Protection Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and technologies in fire protection. Understand the products and solutions offered by KiddeFenwal, as well as their competitors. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their growth strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sales Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive results. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed sales teams, developed strategies, and achieved targets in previous roles. Highlight your experience in fostering a high-performance culture.
✨Prepare for Complex Negotiations
Expect questions about your negotiation strategies and experiences with large-scale customer relationships. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you successfully navigated complex agreements or turned around challenging situations. This will show your capability in managing strategic accounts.
✨Align with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with KiddeFenwal's mission and values. During the interview, express how your personal goals align with their purpose of protecting lives and assets through innovative solutions. This connection can set you apart as a candidate who truly understands and believes in their mission.
