Director of International Sales and Business Development

Big Ass Fans•Lexington, KY

About The Position

Big Ass Who? We didn’t set out to start a fan company. We set out to solve a problem—workplace discomfort. (Sorry, HR, not your kind.) Facilities become furnaces during the summer, but businesses still expect peak performance and productivity. Without providing the basic human right of comfort, that’s just asinine. Seeing how overhead fans cooled California dairy cows begged a massive question for our founder. “Can a fan be made to revolutionize comfort for people?” he uttered. That’s when the HVLS Fan Company was born—with the first-ever patented high-volume, low-speed fan. But that name? BOR-ing. And customers knew it. We kept getting calls asking, “Are you the guys who make those big ass fans?” Hell yeah, we are. And Big Ass Fans was born, complete with our own cheeky donkey mascot, Fanny. Today, we don’t just move air, we transform experiences. Big Ass Fans deliver comfort where it counts. We build every product like lives depend on it. Because, turns out, they do. Our success is a result of the Big Ass Fans team’s innovation. Are you seeking an opportunity to work with extraordinary people with an entrepreneurial spirit? Do you have something that sets you apart from the rest? With a bias for action, we want you to #livelifebigass and bring the next great BAF product to market. From our customers to our employees, we are passionate about what we can accomplish together. The successful candidate will bring passion, energy, and a “get it done” mentality to BAF and the industrial business and contribute in a meaningful way to realize the company’s full potential in the market. Opportunity At Big Ass Fans, we’re not just moving air—we’re moving industries forward. As the Director of International Sales and Business Development, you’ll play a pivotal role in expanding our global footprint and accelerating our ambitious growth goals. Reporting directly to the VP & GM of International Business, you’ll thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where innovation and bold thinking are celebrated. If you are ready to lead global growth at a company on a mission to make the world safer, healthier, and more productive, then we want to hear from you!

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in International Business or relevant discipline; MBA is a plus
Proven track record of leading sustained double-digit growth in revenue and EBITDA
Proven success in leading and managing high-performing teams, with full P&L ownership, to develop and execute growth strategies that drive both top- and bottom-line results—including expansion into new markets through strategic distribution channels
7+ years experience driving large-scale sales/distribution programs globally
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with internal and external stakeholders
Excellent cultural awareness (knowledge and ability to navigate and comply with local customs outside of the US.)
Exceptional negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Strong team player with problem-solving and decision-making skills
Fluent in multiple languages (including English) is a plus
Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%

Responsibilities

Develop strategic market-specific plans with targeted deliverables to enable effective and profitable growth in new international markets by identifying and setting up appropriate partners, negotiating agreements, supporting partners, and implementing business plans that align with BAF overall global strategic initiatives.
Lead the preparation and delivery of monthly business reviews for executive leadership, analyzing key performance indicators—both leading and lagging—to assess business health, inform strategic decision-making, and guide actionable planning.
Drive strategic account growth and executive strategy for international markets.
Develop and manage the USX (US export) P&L, ensuring revenue growth and cost efficiency.
Work with dealers, distributors, and channel partners to grow and execute on opportunity pipelines in specific markets.
Monitor financial performance, forecast sales, and implement corrective actions as needed.
Collaborate with finance and operations to optimize pricing, margins, and resource allocation.
Lead USX team in growing US export business; foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with the BAF international team, cross-functional teams, and distribution partners to support the identification and acquisition of new business opportunities.
Build effective relationships with partners through situational and business performance analysis, shared measurable strategic objectives, tactical plans, critical success factors, and budgeting.
Provide market analysis, including key trends, competitive landscape, general marketplace activity, and recommendations to drive increased market share.
Develop and deliver timely, accurate forecasts in collaboration with operations and analytics with regular updates to reflect performance.
Provide support to partners through onboarding, training, and marketing initiatives.
Utilize BAF CRM (Salesforce) and ERP (Epicor) systems as applicable to document customer/partner/pipeline data to deliver accurate forecast and drive pipeline to close rate quotes.
Help cultivate an environment of effective collaboration, accountability, and teamwork focused on the execution of BAF strategies, vision, and goals.