At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales strategy and drive business growth across North America.
- Company: Join KiddeFenwal, a global leader in fire safety solutions.
- 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 a vital industry while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years of sales experience, with strong leadership and negotiation skills.
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.
Sales Director 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, we offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. As a leader in fire suppression systems, our team members are empowered to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that values integrity and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director
✨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 explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in sales and business development. Highlight your achievements and how you can drive revenue growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sales Director role. Highlight your experience in commercial leadership and any relevant achievements in sales growth or market expansion. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your strategic thinking and how you've successfully led sales teams in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Industry Knowledge:Since we're in the fire protection and safety industry, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the market. Mention any relevant experience or insights you have about industry trends, customer needs, or competitive landscapes. This will show us you're ready to hit the ground running!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're proactive and keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kidde Fenwal Inc.
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the fire protection and industrial safety sectors. Understand current trends, key players, and market dynamics. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can drive market expansion and growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Sales Director, your leadership approach is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams, developing talent, and fostering a high-performance culture. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams to achieve sales targets and how you handle challenges.
✨Prepare for Complex Negotiations
Expect questions about your negotiation strategies and experiences with large-scale customer relationships. Prepare to discuss specific deals you've closed, the challenges faced, and how you navigated them. Highlight your ability to create win-win situations for both the company and clients.
✨Align with Company Values
Familiarise yourself with KiddeFenwal's mission and values. During the interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs, especially around integrity, safety, and customer-centric solutions. This connection can set you apart as a candidate who truly fits their culture.
