What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sales Director position at Whalen Search Group?
This is an onsite position in the Auburn Alabama Area:
The Director of Sales will lead the commercial strategy, driving revenue growth, expanding market share, and strengthening relationships across key accounts, dealers, and distribution partners.
This role is central to building a best-in-class sales organization and advancing our client's position as a leader in the European automotive aftermarket. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of the Euro performance market, strong leadership capabilities, and a passion for enthusiast-driven brands.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies to drive revenue growth and profitability
- Align sales initiatives with product strategy, brand positioning, and go-to-market plans
- Identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities within the European performance aftermarket
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing sales team
- Foster a culture of collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement
- Identify and develop new business opportunities, partnerships, and distribution channels
- Expand presence across domestic and international Euro-focused markets
- Strengthen dealer networks and strategic account relationships
- Lead forecasting, budgeting, and sales planning processes
- Analyze sales performance data and market trends to inform decisions
- Drive disciplined execution against revenue and margin targets
- Partner closely with product management, marketing, and operations teams
- Ensure alignment between product launches, promotional strategies, and sales execution
- Provide market feedback to influence product development and portfolio decisions
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (MBA preferred)
- 10 years of progressive sales experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
- Experience in the automotive aftermarket, with strong preference for European performance segments
Skills & Expertise
- Proven track record of driving revenue growth and exceeding sales targets
- Strong leadership and team development capabilities
- Excellent strategic planning and analytical skills
- Advanced communication, negotiation, and relationship-building abilities
- Experience with CRM systems and sales analytics tools
Industry Knowledge
- Deep understanding of European automotive platforms (BMW, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, VW, Audi, Porsche, etc.)
- Strong knowledge of aftermarket performance parts, tuning, and enthusiast trends
- Insight into competitive landscape, customer needs, and channel dynamics