Sales Director

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Company: Safran

Location: Gainesville, FL 32608

Description:

Job details

General information

Entity
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 92,000 employees and sales of 23.2 billion euros in 2023, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes research and development programs to maintain the environmental priorities of its R&T and innovation roadmap.
Safran is in the 1st place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2023" ranking.

With over one million seats equipping the fleets of the major airlines, Safran Seats is one of the world's leading suppliers of seating for passengers, crews and helicopters thanks to innovative and high added-value solutions.

Reference number
2025-150827

Job details
Domain

Programs / Customer Relations
Job field / Job profile

Sales / marketing - Sales
Job title

Sales Director
Employment type

Permanent
Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager
Part time / Full time

Full-time
Job description

POWERED BY TEAMWORK. Are you ready to be part of a team that drives big ideas and even bigger wins? At Safran, we believe in the power of both collaboration and individual contributions. We understand that it takes diverse perspectives, problem-solving skills, dependability, and trust to push each other forward and achieve great success. For us, working here is more than just a job; it's a passion. There's the unique opportunity to lead the way in aerospace and defense and contribute to creating a safer and more sustainable world.

1. Objective:

Responsible for developing and implementing the marketing strategies to expand and maintain the company's product line with the assigned customers. Administer sales of the company products to the customers and airframe manufacturers with the assigned customers. This position works independently.

2. Main Function and Responsivities:

A) Develop and maintain relationships with commercial airlines and aircraft manufacturers.
B) Identify potential opportunities and position the company to compete for the business.
C) Work closely with engineering, manufacturing and other corporate entities to ensure the product offered meets customer needs and is competitive with competitors' product.
D) Manage the preparation of Bids and Proposals to ensure timely submission. Prepare the S1 and S2 gate reviews. Negotiate Bids with potential customer. Perform the Sales Hand out S3 gate reviews.
E) Monitor the status of programs awarded to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction and participate to the program milestone meetings. Negotiate the change request with the customers.
F) Maintain the CRM: revise the RFQ system and the CRM with the final product definition and price.
G) Get the NRC and RC Purchase Order from the customer and ensure the prices are updated following yearly escalation.
H) Manage commercially the life of the contracts (renewals, penalties/liquidated damages negotiations).

Travel specifictity

International and/or Domestic travel required; 30%.
Additional description

I) Follow industry trends in order to anticipate evolving or new customer needs.
J) Manage (recruit) and successfully build (for international sales) a representative (commissioned agent) network in international markets as necessary.
K) Be comfortable, familiar, and work at ease with (multi nation) international business practices (airline and airframe) as well as the customs of the culture interfacing with.
L) Gather and feedback information on competitors obtained from customers or from personal observations. This may include information on products, services, prices, relationships, etc.
M) Analyze customer organization chart and decision process. Communicate all information as necessary internally. Properly time competitions. Appropriately deploy various levels of management as required.
N) In the case that an OEM is assigned, must be fluent in the native language:
i) Boeing - English
ii) Airbus - English, and French or German
iii) Embraer - English, and Portuguese
O) Performs other duties as assigned.

Candidate skills & requirements

3. Education & Qualification:

A) An undergraduate degree in Business Administration or an Engineering Degree or related field is required. OR 6 years related experience in lieu of Bachelor's level degree to meet the education requirement.

4. Work Experience - Technical knowledge:

A) 10 years proven experience in the commercial aviation industry.
B) 10 years proven sales and/or relationship building skills within the commercial aviation industry.

5. Professional Skills:

A) This position requires an individual with a sales or marketing background and established contacts within the commercial aviation industry.
B) This individual must be a self-motivated business builder who can work independently in an entrepreneurial environment while possessing superior interpersonal skills.
C) Have a comprehensive knowledge of the aircraft interiors business and be capable of handling discussions on technical areas concerning Safran Seats USA's seating products.
D) Have a very good working knowledge of the standard suite of office software products (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, et. al.).

6. Behavioral Skills:

A) Have excellent negotiating skills and be comfortable in an adversarial business environment during contract negotiations or discussions.

7. Desirable Aspects:

A) Other languages.

SAFRAN is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Annual salary

Based on market data.
Job location
Job location

North America, United States
City (-ies)

Gainesville

Applicant criteria
Minimum education level achieved

Bachelor's Degree
Minimum experience level required

More than 8 years

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