North American Sales Manager

Title: North America Sales Manager
Location: Mocksville, NC

Who we are
Since 1988, Avgol has been a global leader in providing ultra-lightweight spun-melt non-woven fabrics for the hygiene industry. Proudly serving markets such as baby diapers, adult incontinence, and feminine hygiene products, Avgol is committed to delivering top-quality materials and exceptional service. Our products contribute to the health and well-being of millions of babies, mothers, and senior citizens worldwide. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and global impact, Avgol continues to set the standard in the industry.

Job Summary

The Sales Manager, North America is responsible for managing and developing strategic customer relationships to drive profitable growth for Avgol's North American business. Serving as the primary commercial contact for assigned accounts, this role leads customer engagement, account development, product commercialization activities, contract negotiations, and long-term partnership growth.

The position will have primary responsibility for key strategic accounts, ensuring a high level of customer engagement, responsiveness, and execution. 

The Sales Manager will work closely with customers and internal cross-functional teams, including R&D, Technical Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Customer Service, and Finance, to deliver innovative nonwoven solutions that create value for customers while supporting Avgol's objectives for growth, profitability, and market leadership.

While the role is primarily focused on strategic account management and expansion within existing customers, the successful candidate will also support the identification and development of new business opportunities within hygiene, medical, and adjacent markets.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Account Management

• Serve as the primary commercial contact for assigned strategic accounts.
• Develop and maintain strong customer relationships across multiple organizational levels, including operational, technical, procurement, and executive stakeholders.
• Create and execute account plans that support customer growth while maximizing profitability and strategic alignment for Avgol.
• Conduct regular business reviews with customers to assess performance, identify opportunities, and strengthen long-term partnerships.
• Ensure key customers receive proactive support and consistent engagement to maintain strong customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Expand Avgol's organizational reach within customer accounts by developing relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.

Business Development and Growth

• Identify and develop growth opportunities within existing customer accounts.
• Support targeted business development initiatives in hygiene, medical, and adjacent markets.
• Monitor customer strategies, market trends, competitive activities, and industry developments to identify risks and opportunities.
• Participate in the evaluation of new applications, market segments, and commercial opportunities aligned with Avgol's strategic objectives.
• Support commercialization efforts that drive sustainable volume, revenue, and margin growth.

Customer Solutions and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with R&D, Technical Sales, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Finance to develop solutions that meet customer requirements.
• Lead customer projects involving product development, qualification, product transitions, and commercialization activities.
• Effectively coordinate internal resources to ensure successful execution of customer initiatives.
• Ensure customer expectations are clearly communicated, properly managed, and aligned with operational capabilities.
• Advocate for customer needs while balancing company priorities, profitability objectives, and manufacturing constraints.
• Support strategic customer initiatives, major product transitions, and business continuity plans as required.

Commercial Negotiation and Business Management

• Lead pricing discussions, contract negotiations, and commercial agreements with assigned customers.
• Manage difficult commercial situations in a professional manner while protecting Avgol's interests and customer relationships.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, demand projections, and account plans.
• Monitor customer demand trends and collaborate with Operations and Supply Chain to support effective production planning.
• Analyze sales performance, pricing, product mix, and profitability to support business decision-making.
• Participate in annual budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes.

Compliance and Company Standards

• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, ethical standards, and safety requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable commercial, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
• Support and promote Avgol's values, culture, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate customer records and commercial documentation within company systems.

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Materials Science, Textile Technology, Polymer Science, Supply Chain, or a related field required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in sales, account management, business development, customer service, product development, or commercial leadership within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success managing strategic customer relationships and driving profitable business growth.
• Experience supporting customers through extended qualification cycles, product development activities, and commercialization projects.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in manufacturing and technical environments.
• Experience within nonwovens, hygiene products, medical products, polymers, plastics, textiles, films, extrusion, or related industries preferred.

Skills

• Exceptional relationship-building and customer engagement abilities.
• Strong presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strong business, commercial, and financial acumen.
• Technical aptitude with the ability to understand manufacturing processes, product performance requirements, and development activities.
• Analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.

Abilities

• Ability to build credibility and influence across customer organizations and internal teams.
• Ability to navigate complex customer relationships and organizational structures.
• Ability to lead difficult commercial conversations and negotiations while preserving long-term partnerships.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced business environment.
• Self-motivated, competitive, and results-oriented.
• Strong attention to detail and process discipline.
• Team-oriented with a collaborative approach to problem solving.
• Ability to travel as required to support customers and business objectives.
• Demonstrate Avgol's values through professionalism, accountability, integrity, teamwork, and customer focus.

Knowledge Of

• Strategic account management principles and best practices.
• B2B sales processes and commercial negotiations.
• Sales forecasting, pricing strategy, profitability analysis, and financial performance metrics.
• Product development, qualification, and commercialization processes within a manufacturing environment.
• Nonwoven products, manufacturing processes, and end-use applications preferred. 

Work Environment

• Regular office, virtual, manufacturing, and customer-facing activities.
• Periodic visits to manufacturing facilities and customer locations.
• Manufacturing environments may not be climate-controlled and may require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including hearing protection and safety glasses.
• Domestic and international travel required.

Success Factors

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Retention and growth of strategic customer accounts.
• Customer satisfaction and relationship strength.
• Successful execution of product development and commercialization initiatives.
• Forecast accuracy and commercial discipline.
• Expansion of customer relationships across functions and organizational levels.
• Revenue, volume, and margin performance within assigned accounts.
• Contribution to strategic growth initiatives and long-term business objectives.

What we offer:
AVGOL offers a very competitive benefits package to our full-time employees, some of which include:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) match
• Vacation/PTO, paid holidays, paid birthday

At AVGOL, we are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination of any kind. AVGOL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.