What are the responsibilities and job description for the National Sales Manager position at NSK Americas?
National Sales Manager - NSK Corporation
The Company
NSK is a global manufacturer of ball and roller bearings, linear motion technology, automotive components, and steering systems with both domestic and overseas manufacturing. NSK also offers a full range of services including reconditioning, ball screw repair, product integration, application engineering, and predictive & preventative maintenance and reliability services. NSK's products and solutions are everywhere where things are in motion - even under the toughest conditions. NSK's high-precision rolling bearings are used in wind turbines and machine tools, linear components are found in production lines, while our automotive components are installed in the vehicles of almost every well-known automaker.
The National Sales Manager Role
The National Sales Manager is responsible for developing, executing, and leading the strategic sales initiatives required to achieve business plans. This role will manage both a Regional Sales Manager with reports and directly manage a small team of Territory Managers. They will have ownership for the overall performance of the OEM business across the United States. In addition, they will ensure consistent execution of sales programs, customer engagement strategies, and revenue growth objectives. The National Sales Manager will serve as a key member of the commercial leadership team, providing data-driven insights, forecasting accuracy, and disciplined accountability across all regions and territories.
Responsibilities
Sales Leadership & Strategic Execution
- Lead the sales organization to achieve revenue, margin, and market share targets in alignment with the company's business plan.
- Develop and execute national go-to-market strategies, quarterly initiatives, and annual sales plans.
- Translate corporate objectives into clear, actionable sales strategies for the OEM sales team.
People Management & Development
- Directly manage, coach, and develop the OEM sales team, both Regional Managers and Territory Managers.
- Implement structured performance management processes, including KPI tracking, quarterly business reviews (QBRs), and individual development plans (IDPs).
- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, customer focus, product knowledge, and continuous improvement.
Customer Engagement
- Strengthen relationships with key customers across the country to drive specification of the NSK brand.
- Support the sales team in contract negotiations to secure long-term profitable business growth for NSK and mitigate risks to the organization.
- Support the sales team to enhance market-based pricing strategies to increase profit margins and plant capacity utilization.
- Drive customer engagement plans that enhance brand specification, retention, and opportunity pipeline conversion.
- Pursue new end-markets per the strategic plan set forth by Senior Management.
Business Planning, Forecasting, & Reporting
- Deliver accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual sales forecasts using data-driven methodologies.
- Analyze market trends, competitive activity, and regional performance to identify risks and opportunities.
- Provide comprehensive reporting to executive leadership with recommendations and corrective action plans.
Operational Excellence
- Ensure consistent execution of pricing strategy, segment strategy, and sales processes across the country.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Supply Chain, Product Management, and Finance to support growth initiatives.
- Oversee CRM utilization, pipeline management, and sales analytics to drive transparency and predictability.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field required.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive sales leadership experience.
- Proven track record of leading teams to meet or exceed revenue and profit goals.
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong leadership, coaching, and talent-development abilities.
- Exceptional strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in CRM platforms, sales reporting tools, and data analytics.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to travel nationally up to 50%.
Featured Benefits
- Generous vacation and holidays
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Account
- Matching 401(k)
- Bonus Plan
NSK is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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