At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales strategy and drive business growth across North America.
- Company: Join KiddeFenwal, a global leader in fire suppression systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and professional development.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career advancement in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safety and innovation while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years of sales experience, with strong leadership and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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.
Sales Director in London employer: Kidde Fenwal Inc.
KiddeFenwal is an exceptional employer that prioritises innovation, safety, and employee development within a collaborative work culture. Located in Ashland, Massachusetts, the company offers competitive benefits, including opportunities for professional growth and leadership development, making it an ideal place for ambitious individuals looking to make a meaningful impact in the fire protection industry. With a strong commitment to integrity and teamwork, KiddeFenwal fosters an environment where employees can thrive and contribute to life-saving solutions across North America.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute to their success.
✨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 achievements in sales and leadership, especially in the fire protection or industrial safety sectors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director 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 sales leadership and any relevant industry knowledge, especially in fire protection or industrial safety. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples of how you’ve driven revenue growth or expanded market share in previous roles. This helps us understand the impact you've made in your past positions.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s industry-specific. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kidde Fenwal Inc.
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into KiddeFenwal's products and services. Understand their fire suppression systems and how they stand out in the market. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Sales Director, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, driven revenue growth, and developed strategic partnerships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Prepare for Tough Questions
Expect questions about your experience with complex negotiations and managing large-scale customer relationships. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will show your problem-solving skills and resilience.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about their future growth strategies or how they measure success in the sales team. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
