Global Head of Sales

Who we are

Distran is a fast-growing, award-winning, Swiss high technology company producing an extraordinary product: a sensor that literally sees the sounds. Our unique product is used by major global players in Oil and Gas, Chemical, Power and even Space Exploration to detect gas leaks before they become dangerous to either humans or the environment. With strong growth in 35+ countries, our company continues to expand thanks to our amazing people passionate about innovation, climate change, and protecting the environment.

About the role

We are on a growth trajectory and are looking for a dynamic Sales Leader to drive our global expansion!

The Global Head of Sales is key to ensuring that a growing number of global customers in our target industries are benefiting from the capabilities of the Distran`s ultrasound cameras. This executive leader will develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy, ensure global alignment, and drive strong sales performance and market penetration, to establish Distran as the leader in the industry. The role requires strategic thinking and a hands-on approach to leading a geographically distributed team while fostering relationships with key clients, partners and stakeholders.

In this role you will:

• Work with the Distran’s Senior Management and Regional Sales teams to develop and implement sales and go-to-market strategies to achieve revenue targets and market expansion goals.
• Lead and manage a distributed sales team of direct sales professionals and regional sales managers. Ensure alignment, drive efficiency and engagement, and support the continuous development of the team.
• Establish and nurture long-term relationships with key clients, distributors and strategic partners. Specifically, oversee the engagement with partner distributors globally, to ensure mutually beneficial business outcomes.
• Oversee contract negotiations and major account management.
• Oversee all aspects of the company’s sales operations. Establish, monitor and analyze sales performance metrics to optimize team effectiveness and decision-making. Ensure that sales forecasts are up-to-date and reliable, and coach regional and local teams to provide visibility and ensure optimal performance. Continuously improve forecasting methodologies and sales processes.
• Provide Senior Management and the Board with accurate, data-driven insights on sales trends and performance, and proposed initiatives.
• Collaborate internally with Application Engineering and Marketing teams to align strategies and activities aimed at increasing market share and brand awareness.
• Represent Distran at industry events, conferences, trade shows, and key business meetings.

Your profile 

• At least 10 years of experience in a similar position in global sales or business development, selling high value technical products (instrumentation, non-destructive testing, industrial machinery, or more generally innovative technical solutions ideally including both hardware and software).
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Engineering background (electrical, electronic, mechanical, chemistry, instrumentation) with further education in Sales & Marketing is preferred.
• Experience in one or more of our target industries (oil & gas, chemistry, power generation) is highly desirable.
• Experience managing both direct sales and indirect channels/distributors is a must.
• Experience managing strategic accounts and developing long term business partnerships.
• Proven record of setting up and implementing sales strategies and processes, with a strong track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets.
• Experience managing global, distributed sales or business development teams, including managing territory managers and team leaders.
• Ability to develop highly effective sales teams and to drive results. Strong coaching, mentoring and training skills. Ability to provide a clear direction, to inspire, to drive alignment and engagement, and to ensure accountability.
• Ability to think strategically and globally, while also having a pragmatic and hands-on approach when it comes to operational execution and excellence.
• Technical understanding of gas detection technologies, sensors and industrial safety solutions is a plus.
• Experience in a fast-growing startup or scale-up is a plus.
• Passion for technology, technical innovation, and sustainability.
• Willing to travel extensively, at least 50%.
• Fluency in English.
• Driving license.

What we offer

Bringing groundbreaking innovative technology to a market best-seller is a rewarding social and professional experience. This job is for you if you like to give meaning to your work and have a strong impact on a product, on a company and on your professional growth. Besides a competitive salary package, since the establishment of our offices, our employees in Zurich have been enjoying working in a multicultural and central location in the heart of a vibrant neighborhood of Zürich, as well as engaging weekly events sponsored by us.

Note to agencies

Distran does not accept unsolicited resumes from any sources other than directly from a candidate. Distran will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited offer, even in a situation where Distran employs the relevant candidate. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Distran’s Human Resources team to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed agreement for service and in response to a specific job opening. Distran will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such agreement in place.