The Director of Sales will lead the strategic and operational direction of the KUHN in North America (KNA) dealer network; driving growth in sales revenue, market expansion, and customer satisfaction. This role oversees Regional Sales Managers (RSMs) and sales and aftermarket supporting managers, strengthens relationships with independent dealers, and collaborates cross-functionally to ensure sales efforts align with product innovation and operational goals.
POSITION EXPECTATIONS
- Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team; actively contributing to company-wide strategy, culture, and decision-making, while championing cross functional collaboration and representing the voice of sales at the executive level.
- Lead and develop the KNA sales functions of product support, parts customer service and distribution, dealer development, planning, order management, and field sales.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with independent ag equipment dealers to ensure brand representation, sales performance, and customer service excellence.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing sales team, set KPIs, and ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
- Achieve sales market shares consistent with Company goals and market potential in North America.
- Assist dealers in developing their business by providing the necessary products, tools, and support.
- Help sales personnel solve customer product and service needs with required urgency.
- Understand the complete KUHN product lines and all service/replacement needs.
- Confidentiality of Company information.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Formulate, recommend, and implement activities in the areas of sales, pricing, promotion and early order programs for Kuhn, Kuhn Knight and Kuhn Krause brand products and services for the US, Canadian, and export markets.
- Develop annual sales strategies tailored to product lines and regional performance, including new dealer acquisition and market penetration plans.
- Leverage Customer Relations Management (CRM) software platforms to monitor pipeline health, territory coverage, and dealer engagement.
- Align with finance and marketing teams to develop competitive pricing models and dealer incentive programs.
- Develop an overall annual sales plan for KUHN products and services in the North American market, in support of the KNA organizational strategy and objectives.
- Track sales data, identify trends, and adjust forecasts in collaboration with finance and operations teams.
- Partner with marketing and engineering to plan and execute successful product rollouts across the dealer network.
- Assist RSMs in generating regional and territory sales goals.
- Develop, through the efforts and assistance of RSMs and Territory Managers (TMs), a sales distribution network of committed and aggressive dealers of KUHN products.
- Monitor and report market trends in North America and identify areas for additional sales opportunities through product improvements and/or new products.
- Collaborate, organize, and engage in “voice of the customer” opportunities for the benefit of continuous improvement of product and services offering.
- Hire, train, direct and lead the RSMs to motivate, train, and develop the North American sales force to achieve corporate goals.
- Forecast North American product retails, inventory, and shipments to help establish an efficient supply chain.
- Forecast and oversee the management of the KNA product sales in international markets.
- Assist marketing function initiatives by identifying programs and marketing efforts (including literature, pricing retail programs, etc.). Work with Marketing Communications Department personnel to develop national advertising campaigns.
- Promote Company products at local, state, and national sales and industry shows.
Education/Experience
- A bachelor's degree in agricultural business, marketing or engineering and/or a minimum of eight years sales management experience, including managing dealer networks and supervising regional/territory managers is preferred. An MBA is also preferred.
- Knowledge of farming/agriculture, experience selling heavy industrial or agricultural equipment and knowledge of computer system utilization in sales management is also preferred.