Director of Sales (Remote)

Company Description

The Schréder Group is a global leader in outdoor lighting and sustainability innovation, operating across five continents in over 70 countries. We transform cities, industries, sports venues, and communities into smart urban ecosystems through advanced LED technology and intelligent lighting control systems that reduce carbon footprints and energy consumption.

Ligman Lighting USA, part of the Schréder Group, is based in Hillsboro, Oregon and specializes in high-quality, outdoor urban decorative lighting. Ligman Lighting offers a diverse portfolio of innovative lighting solutions tailored to architects, landscape architects, lighting designers, and engineers. We are dedicated to enhancing public spaces, promoting safety, and delivering sustainable, energy-efficient lighting products that contribute to vibrant and resilient communities.

We are currently hiring for a Director of Sales to join our Ligman Lighting USA team and contribute to our mission of creating beautifully illuminated and sustainable environments.

**This role can be remote but needs to be located close to a major airport. It would be a plus if located near Hillsboro Oregon. 

Job Description

This role will lead the Ligman North American sales organization to drive organic growth and exceed annual revenue targets across the US and Canadian markets. Implement and drive effective business planning activities with the regional sales team. Serve as a senior leadership team member within the North American organization. Direct reports include Regional Sales Managers (currently 4), and Quotations Specialists.

• Drive achievement of annual revenue targets while maintaining gross margin levels agreed upon with the Ligman General Manager and VP of Finance.
• Provide leadership to a team of outside and inside sales professionals in the US. Develop skills of sales team members with a key focus area being business planning and new business development. Co-travel regularly with outside sales team members. Develop and implement sales training initiatives.
• Establish focused business development efforts within the sales organization in emerging markets including solar lighting and smart poles.
• Serve as key member of the North American senior leadership team. Provide analysis of business trends by market segment, region, product category, etc.
• Establish and implement short and long-range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
• Ensure pricing levels are maintained and evaluated throughout the rep network for the Ligman Lighting USA business.
• Define, manage, and enhance customer experience to streamline commercial effectiveness across all products, segments and brands.
• Establish a national accounts strategy including, staff support model, key account targets, commercialization plan, etc.
• Support the development of marketing programs and strategic initiatives to drive increased awareness of the Ligman brands within the region. Ensure consistent messaging and value propositions to all key stakeholders in the sales process (end customers, contractors, engineers, specification firms, agents, etc.).
• Develop/enhance existing Ligman Lighting USA sales channels and execute on go to market strategy for emerging market segments including solar and smart pole.
• Ownership of the sales forecasting process and project pipeline; develop appropriate sales targets for each region and salesperson. Develop recommendations for incentive compensation structures.
• Gain and share knowledge regarding key competitors in the market; develop direct and indirect competitive selling strategies to allow Ligman Lighting USA to compete more effectively in the market.   
• Serve as “de facto” Key Account Manager for the region’s most strategic accounts/stakeholders.  Develop close relationships with larger sales agents (manufacturers’ reps) to ensure that appropriate focus is given to our product lines and that business is evolving in key geographic regions.

Frequent travel will be required within the US and Canada (up to 50% +); periodic international travel will be necessary for global sales meetings, training and development, etc.

Participate in trade shows, trade associations and committees that strategically align with the strategy within the region.

Qualifications

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering or related field

• 10-15+ years of sales experience with a proven track record of consistently exceeding revenue targets in the outdoor lighting industry;

• A minimum of 5 years of sales leadership responsibility.

• LC certification a plus

Knowledge & Skills:

• Servant leadership mentality

• Strong coaching/mentoring skills

• High emotional intelligence level

• Results orientation and bias for action

• Strategic thinker that is also willing to roll up his/her sleeves

• Robust knowledge of sales planning processes

• Highly analytical

• Effective and Proactive Communication Skills

• Strong team builder

• Strong customer orientation

• Key account management

• Project Management experience

• Strong technical skills with the ability to communicate complex topics to non-technical audiences

• Excellent listening, negotiation and presentation skills

• Ability to prioritize and create focus in a fast-paced environment

Additional Information

We value:

• Innovation that drives meaningful change
• Expertise that powers transformation
• Collaboration that builds lasting partnerships
• Sustainability that shapes better communities

Our Culture

We foster an environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where passionate people collaborate, innovate, and grow together. We recognize and value the unique skills and experiences each team member brings to our mission of creating smarter, more sustainable urban spaces.

Equal Opportunity

Schréder and Ligman Lighting USA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences, believing that inclusive teams drive better innovation. All qualified applications will be considered in accordance with EEO guidelines.

Respect is one of our Values. Our commitment to inclusivity goes hand in hand with our dedication to sustainability and the environment. Inclusivity is part of who we are, so we encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

At Schréder, we commit ourselves to co-creating an environment where passionate people work and win together, learn and have fun. Let Join us!