Industry Sales Associate Director, Bioenergy NA

Novonesis•Ames, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

In this role, you will operate at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and execution—guiding sales teams while partnering across functions to deliver sustainable business growth. You will drive the strategic direction of the local sales organization in close collaboration with the Head of Sales, lead cross-functional alignment across ISMs, Account Managers, Marketing, Technical Services, Supply Chain, and Sales Excellence, and translate industry strategies and global plans into actionable account strategies and execution. You will also lead budget planning processes (BRM, forecasting, RSF input) and ensure strong financial discipline, build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including senior leadership and PMT members, and ensure effective deployment of resources and proper allocation of Account Managers and Sales teams. Additionally, you will drive excellence in sales processes, tools, and Salesforce data quality, and lead change management initiatives to improve performance and operational effectiveness. Externally, you will lead C-level engagement with key customers and strategic partners, represent Novonesis in relevant industry associations and conferences, identify competitive risks and shape response strategies in partnership with senior leadership, and drive customer-centric approaches across all commercial activities.

Requirements

A B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree in Sales, Marketing, or a relevant technical field
Minimum 10 years of relevant experience, preferably within chemical or biochemical industries
Proven experience in account management and sales leadership
Strong people management skills, with demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams
Experience driving cross-functional collaboration and strategic initiatives
Strong financial and business acumen, including budget management and forecasting
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills across all organizational levels

Nice To Haves

Experience working in global or matrix organizations
Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM systems
Experience with strategic partnerships and alliance development
Strong ability to navigate ambiguity and lead change initiatives
Passion for developing talent and fostering a high-performance culture

Responsibilities

Drive the strategic direction of the local sales organization in close collaboration with the Head of Sales
Lead cross-functional alignment across ISMs, Account Managers, Marketing, Technical Services, Supply Chain, and Sales Excellence
Translate industry strategies and global plans into actionable account strategies and execution
Lead budget planning processes (BRM, forecasting, RSF input) and ensure strong financial discipline
Build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including senior leadership and PMT members
Ensure effective deployment of resources and proper allocation of Account Managers and Sales teams
Drive excellence in sales processes, tools, and Salesforce data quality
Lead change management initiatives to improve performance and operational effectiveness
Lead C-level engagement with key customers and strategic partners
Represent Novonesis in relevant industry associations and conferences
Identify competitive risks and shape response strategies in partnership with senior leadership
Drive customer-centric approaches across all commercial activities