Sales Director - Retail Channel

Continental•Indian Land, SC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €39.7 billion in 2024 and currently employs around 95,000 people in 54 countries and markets.Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world's largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2024, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.9 billion euros. Continental's tire division employs more than 57,000 people worldwide and has 20 production and 16 development sites. Job DescriptionHOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT Create a strategy and lead sales efforts for the US PLT RE US Retail channel to achieve sales and profit objectives. The main activities include creating a multiyear roadmap, manage customer relationships, leading the team and creating commercial agreements to ensure sales targets are achieved. Understanding of the US retail market and category management are keys to success as well.Define channel strategy, manage customer relationships, and achieve sales targets:Create and execute strategy to deliver on mid-term sales plans for the retail channel, which accommodates for current and future trendsManage executive relationships with key customers to capture our pull through opportunities and grow our business to maximize sales targets.Direct the sales growth in units and margins ($/%) for channel portfolio of accountsPortfolio includes large retail Direct Accounts Develop and execute customer program incentives in line with overall channel / US market strategyLead overall development of the Retail team within the PLT US RE Market.Ensure necessary training (retail screen, analytics etc.) and development of the team to execute sales strategy and hit sales targets.Retail positioning, expected margin calculation and thorough understanding of the business planning processCoordinate exclusive productsWork with Product planning, development, supply chain to launch and maintain exclusive productsManage the overall business to find mutual opportunities with our customersEnsure customer collaboration, data connections and processes are streamlinedConnect with customer data sources to provide FC / Sales transparencySupport monthly collaboration process with key customers to ensure mutual goals are being achievedOtherProvide input into PLT US strategy, pricing, programs, promotions, new products, advertising, and other policies and procedures that impact the channel salesEstablish and manage the budget and forecast (monthly/annual) for channel.Represent PLT RE US at internal and external events

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
10+ years of relevant professional experience
5+ years tire industry sales experience
3+ years of proven leadership experience
International or highly matrixed organizational experience
Internal qualified candidates will meet internal guidelines for this executive level role
DCfEP or a Best Fit Assessment must be completed
Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Continental is only able to offer visa support and for internal employees
Relocation is offered

Nice To Haves

Masters Degree or related
10+ years of tire industry sales experience
Retail Sales experience
Strong communication and analytical skills
Strong negotiating and problem-solving capabilities
Self-starter
Solid "team" orientation

Responsibilities

Create and execute strategy to deliver on mid-term sales plans for the retail channel, which accommodates for current and future trends
Manage executive relationships with key customers to capture our pull through opportunities and grow our business to maximize sales targets.
Direct the sales growth in units and margins ($/%) for channel portfolio of accounts
Develop and execute customer program incentives in line with overall channel / US market strategy
Lead overall development of the Retail team within the PLT US RE Market.
Ensure necessary training (retail screen, analytics etc.) and development of the team to execute sales strategy and hit sales targets.
Coordinate exclusive products
Work with Product planning, development, supply chain to launch and maintain exclusive products
Manage the overall business to find mutual opportunities with our customers
Ensure customer collaboration, data connections and processes are streamlined
Connect with customer data sources to provide FC / Sales transparency
Support monthly collaboration process with key customers to ensure mutual goals are being achieved
Provide input into PLT US strategy, pricing, programs, promotions, new products, advertising, and other policies and procedures that impact the channel sales
Establish and manage the budget and forecast (monthly/annual) for channel.
Represent PLT RE US at internal and external events