Sales Manager - East Coast

Illuminate USA•New York, NY

About The Position

The Sales Manager will drive sales growth and expand Illuminate USA’s customer base throughout the Eastern United States. Reporting to the Vice President of Sales, the role develops and manages relationships with solar developers, EPCs, utilities, independent power producers, distributors, and other key customers. The ideal candidate has strong solar module sales experience, an established industry network, and a demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-value sales opportunities from initial engagement through contract execution. Illuminate USA is a standalone joint venture established by two global renewable energy leaders. It operates a 1.1 million-square-foot solar panel manufacturing facility in Pataskala, Ohio, and has grown to more than 1,500 associates. The company describes its workplace as collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking, and offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous career-growth opportunities. The position covers the East Coast and involves regular travel throughout the assigned territory, as well as travel to Illuminate USA’s manufacturing facility as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Renewable Energy, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Five or more years of business-to-business sales, account management, or business development experience.
Demonstrated experience selling solar modules or other products within the solar or renewable energy industry.
Established relationships with solar developers, EPCs, utilities, independent power producers, distributors, or other relevant customers.
Proven success managing large, complex sales opportunities and negotiating commercial agreements.
Experience developing regional sales strategies, managing pipelines, and delivering reliable sales forecasts.
Strong understanding of the U.S. solar market, customer buying processes, project development cycles, and competitive landscape.
Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effectively across departments.
Ability to travel regularly throughout the East Coast region.

Nice To Haves

Experience selling utility-scale solar modules.
Experience working with a domestic solar manufacturer.
Knowledge of solar supply agreements, project financing considerations, domestic-content requirements, and relevant trade or energy policies.
Experience using Salesforce or another customer relationship management system.
Existing customer relationships within the Eastern U.S. solar market.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a regional sales strategy aligned with company revenue, volume, and profitability goals.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities throughout the assigned East Coast territory.
Build and maintain strong relationships with solar developers, EPCs, utilities, independent power producers, distributors, and other strategic customers.
Manage the complete sales process, including prospecting, customer qualification, product presentations, pricing discussions, proposal development, contract negotiation, and closing.
Develop a pipeline of short-term and long-term opportunities and maintain accurate sales forecasts.
Partner with the Vice President of Sales to establish regional priorities, customer strategies, and sales targets.
Maintain a strong understanding of customer projects, purchasing timelines, technical requirements, and commercial needs.
Work with Operations, Finance, Legal, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Marketing to support customer requirements and successful contract execution.
Monitor regional market conditions, competitor activity, pricing trends, policy developments, and customer demand.
Represent Illuminate USA at customer meetings, industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events.
Maintain accurate and timely customer, pipeline, forecasting, and sales activity information in the company’s CRM.
Provide regular updates on sales performance, market conditions, customer feedback, competitive risks, and regional opportunities.
Support customer relationships following contract execution to encourage satisfaction, repeat business, and long-term partnerships.
Travel regularly throughout the assigned territory and to Illuminate USA’s manufacturing facility as needed.