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: Opportunity for career advancement in a collaborative and innovative environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fire safety while leading a dynamic sales team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in sales with leadership experience; fire protection industry preferred.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ 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).
Our Purpose
We protect lives, livelihoods, and iconic assets through innovative solutions, strong partnerships, and exceptional customer experiences. Built on a foundation of integrity and safety, we drive results with speed and excellence while fostering innovation and teamwork.
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.
Skills
- Strategic Thinking
- Commercial Acumen
- Executive Presence
- Negotiation & Influence
- Market Expansion & Growth Leadership
North America Sales Director: Fire Protection Growth employer: Kidde Fenwal Inc.
KiddeFenwal is an exceptional employer that prioritises innovation and safety, offering a dynamic work culture where collaboration and integrity are at the forefront. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the thriving fire protection industry. Located in Ashland, Massachusetts, our team enjoys a supportive environment that values diversity and fosters meaningful partnerships, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land North America Sales Director: Fire Protection Growth
✨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 their mission and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in sales and business development. Highlight your successes and how you can drive growth in North America.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making an impact.
We think you need these skills to ace North America Sales Director: Fire Protection Growth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sales Director role. Highlight your experience in sales leadership, especially in fire protection or related industries. We want to see how your skills align with our mission and values!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in driving revenue growth and market expansion. Let your personality shine through while keeping it professional!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, demonstrate your strategic thinking abilities. Discuss how you've developed and executed commercial strategies in the past. We love candidates who can think big and adapt to market dynamics!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and tech-savvy!
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.
✨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 revenue targets in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to coaching and developing talent.
✨Prepare for Strategic Conversations
Expect to engage in discussions about market expansion and customer acquisition strategies. Think about how you would approach these topics for North America specifically. Have a few ideas ready that align with KiddeFenwal's objectives and show your strategic thinking capabilities.
✨Practice Your Negotiation Techniques
Negotiation is key in this role, so be prepared to discuss your experience with complex negotiations and commercial agreements. Consider role-playing scenarios with a friend or mentor to refine your approach and ensure you can articulate your negotiation style effectively during the interview.
