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Sales Manager North America

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Sales Manager North America

SACO Airport Equipment Part of SMA B.V. Mierlo

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What is required?

  • HBO level of thinking and working in a technical/commercial direction (preferably mechanical engineering)
  • Sales experience in a similar role. This includes setting up leads, expanding a sales network, and achieving sales targets
  • Work experience in a technical environment, machine construction, and/or logistics is an advantage
  • Experience with CRM systems
  • Basic skills in reading technical drawings
  • Analytical, problem-solving and good negotiation skills
  • Proficient in English, both verbally and in writing
  • Willingness to travel regularly to North America
  • Independent, entrepreneurial and disciplined

What will you get?

  • 40-hour working week
  • 27 vacation days and 13 ADV days
  • Pension build-up at PME
  • Mobility
  • Additional attentions from the Staff Association and Management
  • Opportunities for additional education and training

What will you do?

  • 30% Visiting clients in North America
  • 20% Providing advice to clients and maintaining relationships
  • 10% Participating in trade shows (in North America)
  • 10% Assessing requests and preparing quotes
  • 10% Mapping the market in North America
  • 10% Influencing the Decision Making Unit (DMU) positively
  • 10% Issuing quotes and negotiating

This vacancy has been created based on interviews with employees to help you get a realistic preview of the job.

Ask a question directly

Femke van Stekelenburg

Manager HR

Vacancy

As Sales Manager North America at SMA B.V., you will be part of the SACO Airport Equipment division and responsible for setting up a sales network and expanding the market share in North America. SACO Airport Equipment is globally recognized as a specialist in the development, manufacturing and supply of systems for handling and storing air freight.

Your daily tasks will mainly focus on generating new leads and maintaining relationships with existing clients. During the initial period, enriching your product knowledge is important to become a solid discussion partner for (potential) relations. Subsequently, you will travel to North America regularly for client visits, participation in fairs and congresses, and strengthening SACO's visibility in this region.

Charisma is essential in this role; you will represent SACO in North America and are responsible for presenting technical solutions that meet client needs. This role is supervised by the SACO Sales Director and you will work closely with your colleagues from the SACO Team. Together, you aim to increase the market share in North America.

If you enjoy pioneering the North American market, you're entrepreneurial, independent and don't mind traveling abroad regularly, this is the job for you.

Working week

Sales Manager North America

On an enjoyable day, you excel in lead generation, resulting in a request from a new client planning a significant investment in a cargo handling plan in North America.

On a less enjoyable day, the transfer of client specifications to Tender Management and Calculation does not go smoothly, usually due to unclearly specified technical solutions at the client. Your advisory role is then of great importance.
  • 08:00
  • 09:00
  • 10:00
  • 11:00
  • 12:00
  • 13:00
  • 14:00
  • 15:00
  • 16:00
  • 17:00
    • Reading and replying to emails
    • Meeting with the SACO Sales team
    • Providing advice to clients via email/phone
    • Assessing requests
    • Lunch
    • Preparing quotes
    • Maintaining customer relationships via email/phone
    • Lunch
    • Reading and replying to emails
    • Meeting with SACO Sales team
    • Providing advice to clients via email/phone
    • Handling administrative work
    • Developing DMU strategies
    • Assessing requests
    • Lunch
    • Preparing for visits to North America
    • Maintaining customer relationships via email/phone
    • Meeting with SACO Sales team
    • Researching the North American market

Firsthand experience

You are in a contract discussion with a potential client about a major project involving 'fully automated' systems. What do you do?

In this situation, you are the central point of contact and will lead the conversation. You ensure that all technical specifications of the 'fully automated' systems are communicated clearly and transparently. This includes discussing the finances, the expected timeline, the required manpower, and how service and maintenance will be offered. The goal is to reach an agreement at the end of the conversation that includes all the points discussed previously, in preparation for the signing of the contract.

Growth

The growth path within SMA B.V. is not predefined. With the introduction of our new development cycle, which focuses on performance and appraisal, we facilitate space for creating a Personal Development Plan. This plan addresses needs on both a personal and professional level. Your wishes in this regard are aligned with the management and HRM. The development cycle serves as a guideline to further stimulate your growth and development within the organization.

Sales Manager North America

Working at SMA B.V.

SMA B.V. is an international enterprise based in Mierlo (near Eindhoven). The core activities of the company are constructing, manufacturing, assembling, supplying and installing constructions and machines intended for providing a logistical solution. The three prominent labels - SACO Airport Equipment, THIEL Storage and Handling Systems and Viking Airport Equipment - aim to achieve an optimization for logistical processing.

While SACO Airport Equipment and Viking Airport Equipment are globally known as specialists in systems for handling and storing air freight, THIEL Storage & Handling Systems focuses on various user-friendly and safe storage and handling systems. SACO and THIEL have their design and operations facilities in the Netherlands, and Viking is located in Bacup (England).

Onboarding Process
At SMA B.V., we strive to make your onboarding as smooth and enriching as possible. From the moment you start with us, we do our best to make you feel at home right away.

On your first day of work, you will be welcomed by your immediate colleagues and your supervisor, who will be your first point of contact and will provide you with all the job-related information. Our HR team will familiarize you with the company culture and values, as well as practical matters such as time recording, facilities, and more. During the onboarding period, you will learn more about our business strategy and goals, so you gain insight into our vision and how your role fits into the bigger picture.

We strongly believe in your potential and strive to help you excel quickly in your new role. Thanks to our informal company culture, everyone is ready to support and guide you as you find your way in our organization.

We are always open to new talented employees within our organization. Are you interested in working at SMA B.V. but don't see your dream job listed? Or are there currently no open positions? Do not hesitate to contact us. You can send your introduction and CV to vacatures@sma-mc.com.

View company profile of SMA B.V.
  • Headquarters in Mierlo
  • Active in 40 countries
  • 75 employees in the Netherlands
  • 100 employees worldwide
  • 16% / 84%
  • Average age 46 years
  • Casual attire in the office, workwear in production

Colleagues

Mark van Wanrooij - Assembler/Welder

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I previously worked in a manufacturing company that produces seamless pipes with large machines. I wanted to do more hands-on work rather than just operating buttons.

What was your previous job?
Cooperative Foreman

What do you do in your spare time?
Soccer

Frits van Heugten - Estimator

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I was introduced to SMA through a staffing agency. During my first meeting here, I noticed that the lines of communication are short, and the atmosphere quite informal. At the same time, they successfully carry out serious million-dollar projects worldwide. This combination strongly appealed to me, and since 2014 I have been pleased to be a part of it!

What was your previous job?
Sales Manager - Thiel storage & handling systems.

What do you do in your spare time?
Playing my trumpet, attending concerts to envy others' musical talent, and cheering PSV to victory in the Philips Stadium.

Linda van Ingen - Inside Sales Representative

Why did you decide to work for this company?
After being laid off due to restructuring, I had to look for a new challenge. My previous role was a receptionist, with additional administrative tasks and purchasing. The opportunity to use my four languages was decisive for me, as well as the versatility of tasks I could perform.

What was your previous job?
Inside Sales

What do you do in your spare time?
Walking with the dogs, hiking in the mountains, DIY projects at our house in France, reading, and camping.

Arkadiusz Krasicki - Mechanic

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I started working at SMA because I have been into DIY since childhood. I try to develop myself, learn new technologies, and perfect my skills, and this company has given me such an opportunity.

What was your previous job?
Assembly Worker

What do you do in your spare time?
Working on my own small projects, furniture, and simple machine

Niels van Acht - Business Engineer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
After seven years with my previous employer, I was ready for a new challenge. My wish list included technology, growth potential, a good atmosphere, and the opportunity for further personal development. I found all of these at SMA.

What was your previous job?
Head of Operations & Automation - Hellings Machinebouw

What do you do in your spare time?
Volleyball, mountain biking, cycling, and making music

Marianne van Eldert - Project Coordinator

Why did you decide to work for this company?
Within SMA, you work as a project coordinator with many people. Together with mechanics, planners, engineering, you ensure that a project is successfully completed. I find it great to have the opportunity to be involved in so many different areas at SMA.

What was your previous job?
Industrial Product Design - Fontys Hogeschool Venlo

What do you do in your spare time?
Gardening, traveling, socializing with friends, family, and our dog

Rens Verlaak - Engineer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
After studying mechanical engineering (WTB), I came into contact with SMA through a staffing agency. With the right support from SMA, I gained a lot of experience as an Engineer in the first year. You gradually get more involved in SMA's technical developments/products, which is challenging for rapidly developing your knowledge and skills

What was your previous job?
Mechanical Engineering Student

What do you do in your spare time?
Watching and playing soccer, 3D printing (hobby), and spending time with friends.

Niels Doensen - Intern Engineering

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I study Mechanical Engineering in Eindhoven, for which I had to find an internship. I've known Wesley van den Ven for a while. When he talked about his work over a year ago, I was immediately interested. It immediately seemed fun to do an internship at SMA someday. That seemed far away at the time. However, a year later, I am here in a super fun place at SMA!

What did you study?
Mechanical Engineering in Eindhoven.

What do you do in your spare time?
Building speakers, doing DIY projects and grabbing a drink at a café.

Kirstin Metzelaars - Warehouse Worker

Why did you decide to work for this company?
Previously, I worked at a large truck manufacturer where the organizational structure was quite extensive. At a smaller company like SMA, the lines of communication are much shorter, and everyone knows each other by name. The sense of 'we do it together' is really gratifying.

What was your previous job?
Warehouse Worker.

What do you do in your spare time?
I really enjoy outdoor activities such as walking, gardening, sitting at a café, and of course, spending quality time with my partner and our dog."

Coen van der Kroon - Site Coordinator Assembly

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I applied to SMA because I was seeking a new challenge and liked the idea of traveling for work.

What was your previous job?
Hydraulic Technician.

What do you do in your spare time?
Fishing and going out

Application process

Telephone contact to schedule an introductory meeting
First meeting with the department head and HR
Second interview and discussion of employment conditions
Employment conditions proposal

Interesting job?

Apply now