Automotive Director

Ascentek • Golden Valley, MN

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ascentek provides an environment where you can love what you do and be your best every day. Ascentek is a 2025 USA Great Place to Work certified company. The Director of Automotive & Mighty Sales will lead, develop, and manage a high-performing Automotive Sales Team. The position is directly accountable for executing the sales and margin business plan as it pertains to the profit and loss statement. Primary markets include the automotive dealerships, quick lubes and independent repair shops. Responsible to develop and deploy divisional objectives aligned with annual growth strategies. Clearly demonstrate strong leadership skills related to “sales activity” and associated in-field performance. Integrate CRM (salesforce.com) processes and dashboard metrics into daily sales activities. Build accountability into everyday infield thinking. Demonstrate the value of effective sales coaching and related impact on business development. Collaborate with the BDM team on pricing, product, marketing and service offering. Develop and support e-commerce enhancement, share of wallet growth and product line management. Improve, with Operations, delivery efficiencies and product integrity objectives through effective analytical data review and in field communication. Develop and implement strategies to improve the customer experience and ultimately responsible for all high-level Automotive customer relationships. Be creative, forward-thinking, challenging, and open-minded. This role will also lead and administer our Mighty Auto Parts responsibilities for all regional business units.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field or equivalent experience
• 7+ years related sales and management experience in the automotive sector
• Valid driver’s license and proven safe driving record
• Experience with CRM & ERP software
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills related to pivot tables and data analysis
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written and verbal formats including sales presentations

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute sales development strategies with in-field Sales Representatives
• Build and maintain the auto vision plan for future planning
• Analyze JDE sales reporting; identify gaps, variances and/or gains … cascade downward
• Lead day-to-day management of auto-related “sales activities”
• Integrate CRM [Salesforce.com] into daily “sales activities”
• Validate dashboard metrics
• Validate “health” of sales pipeline
• Validate and challenge “next steps” within pipeline stages of sale
• Validate and align required resources to advance opportunities within pipeline
• Positively challenge sales development efforts using strong sales coaching and accountability practices
• Develop well-balanced approach to “office time vs. in-field activities” [60/40]
• Actively support growth in WI by planning to spend one week per month in WI
• Assist in closing large new business opportunities in order to grow the territory
• Collaborate and communicate well with inter-departmental teams [examples: Operations, Supply Chain]
• Lead, push and progress the advancement of required/requested internal projects
• Research and communicate industry standards related to lubricants, equipment and specifications
• Lead setting territory objectives for individual Reps
• Measure individual Rep. performance versus annual territory objectives (on-going basis)
• Set “stretch” territory objectives; push for commitment and results
• Develop and support compensation programs that drive results
• Hire, develop, mentor, and train new sales representatives
• Assist sales development process through 1:1 in-field efforts
• Work with field sales to sell new products, answer questions regarding customers from sales and customer service
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written and verbal formats including sales presentations
• Integrate closely with key customers; develop relationships
• Manage Divisional expenses closely
• Drive sales enablement (e.g. technical support and training)
• Collaborate with the ExxonMobil relationship owner to insure that Automotive grows Mobil gallons and achieves all Circle of Excellence requirements
• Develop and maintain key relationships with Mighty
• Act as the internal champion for the Mighty brand and motivate peers throughout the business to grow the brand

Benefits

• Medical Plan options, including fertility coverage and free mental health and telehealth coverage
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• FSA/HSA options
• Paid parental leave
• Company-provided short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Supplemental Insurances, including accident, critical illness, hospital, and supplemental life insurance
• 401(k) with a generous company match
• Pet Insurance Benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• 21 Paid Days Off
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Sales Incentive Bonus
• Dress For Your Day (casual dress environment)
• Work Your Way (hybrid work) – Three days on site with anchor day
• Paid comprehensive on-the-job training
• Company phone provided
• Company computer provided
• Career advancement opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director