- Future Managing Director Opportunity -
A Japanese manufacturing company in Düsseldorf is currently seeking an experienced Sales Manager to lead its commercial activities and drive business growth across Europe.
The successful candidate will take responsibility for sales strategy, team management, and business performance, focusing on commercial growth and organisational effectiveness. The position is primarily management-focused rather than hands-on sales.
While the primary position is Sales Manager, candidates with more extensive leadership experience may also be considered for a Director-level position, with potential future progression to Managing Director.
(Ref: KM47724 - Please include this when making any enquiries.)

Main Responsibilities
• Develop and implement sales and commercial strategies across European markets
• Oversee sales performance, budgets, forecasts, and business objectives
• Manage, motivate, and develop the local sales team
• Identify new business opportunities and support market expansion
• Strengthen relationships with key customers, distributors, and business partners
• Improve sales processes, team performance, and operational efficiency
• Collaborate with technical teams to develop customer-focused solutions
• Coordinate with overseas headquarters on commercial strategies and performance
• Support organisational development, governance, and compliance
• Contribute to long-term business growth and management initiatives

Ideal Candidate
• Extensive B2B sales experience, including sales management responsibilities
• Proven ability to manage sales teams, business performance, and commercial strategies
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and organisational development skills
• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, industrial products, or related technical sectors is advantageous
• Ability to understand technical products and communicate their commercial value
• Experience working for or with Japanese companies is advantageous
• Strong understanding of German and European business environments
• Proactive, commercially minded individual with potential to take on broader management responsibilities

Conditions
• Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
• Working Style: office based
• Salary: around €80,000 per annum for Sales Manager, depending on experience
*Director-level opportunities: €100,000+ may be considered for candidates with extensive leadership experience.
• Job Type: permanent, subject to confirmation
• Start: negotiable

*All applicants for the Sales Manager position must have the right to work in Germany without any restrictions as the Company is not able to offer visa support.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Sales Manager looking to take on greater responsibility and potentially progress towards leading a European business operation.
If your application is successful, you will be contacted within two business days. We regret that due to the high volume of applications we receive we cannot provide feedback on individual CVs.