This position will actively support the culture/vision/purpose, strategic plans, policies, goals, and objectives established by the CEO and the Board of Directors by effectively combining business culture with professional management environment. This position will successfully and consistently by establishing and achieving strategic and tactical sales and marketing plans designed to capitalize on market opportunities and generate demand in the regions responsible within at least core distributor channels in the United States and Canada as well as support as needed other areas in the Company collaboratively with the VP of Sales. These strategies will build profitable revenue, brand awareness and reputation, provide a steady flow of sales leads, and measure the return on marketing program investments.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities (Duties include, but are not limited to):

• This position will be in the home office in Lansing, Michigan. No remote work arrangements will be considered.
• Responsible for obtaining profitable annual sales growth and developing the aftermarket distribution of aftermarket suspension systems and components within the USA and Canada distributor channel in alignment with the company’s revenue, profit, expense, and budgetary objectives.
• Cultivating a high-level sales environment to retain and recruit team members. Ensure team members are experienced, efficient and supported with the proper tools and training to deliver annual revenue goals and provide exceptional customer experiences.
• Lead in the development of the USA and Canada annual sales plan, specifically advising on: realistic forecasts for each product and territory (based on historical data, market trends, competitive activity, promotional strategy and sales effort), and sales promotion program plans.
• Responsible for growing and maintaining gross margin goals.
• Analyzes sales statistics to determine business growth potential in each core sales channel of each business unit.
• Responsible for assisting Marketing with new market/product research.
• Establish and direct the preparation of short-term and long-range plans and budgets based on broad corporate goals and budget growth objectives.
• Assist in the development and execution of annual strategic planning for areas of responsibility. Implement sales and marketing programs that meet corporate goals and objectives to meet or exceed the annual budget.
• Create the structure and processes necessary to manage the organization’s current activities and its projected growth. Works with subordinates and other company leaders to keep open lines of communication to seize opportunities to solve problems as they arise.
• Evaluate the results of overall sales and marketing support functions regularly and systematically for areas of responsibility. Reports these results to the sales and management teams.
• Ensures ongoing resource alignment within the sales vertical of each business unit to continue to provide exceptional customer experiences.
• Responsible for monitoring the performance of sales by establishing a system of reports and communications involving sales reports, cyclical sales meetings, sales newsletters and electronic bulletins.
• Capable of resolving escalated issues promptly, respectfully and professionally arising from any company support operations and requiring coordination with other departments.
• Personally, make sales presentations and collect market data in the field on a regular basis.
• Provide high standards of ongoing training to customers so that they understand and have the technical knowledge to sell Air Lift Company products in an accurate and balanced manner.
• Implement strategic national, regional and customer specific plans.
• Establish an environment and culture that promotes safety in the workplace.
• Other duties as assigned.

• We expect all team members to exhibit our guiding principles – Integrity, Continuous Improvement, Respect, and Customer Focus.
• Only an individual with a sales growth mindset will excel in this growth opportunity role.
• University degree or college diploma in business or equivalent. Master of Business degree a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in a sales or marketing leadership role, with 5 years in an upper-level sales management position.
• Minimum 8 years of distributor automotive aftermarket sales experience with automotive aftermarket manufactured products; passenger car, light-duty truck aftermarket experience preferred, with proven year-over-year growth trends.
• Desire to hunt for business, while growing an existing account base to build a profitable core sales division of the company.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking and presentation skills.
• Must have experience managing remote sales staff in multiple time zones to be accessible to team members as needed.
• Solid working knowledge of budgets, sales, P&L business acumen, business development and strategic planning.

• Ability to generate respect and trust from staff, employees, and external counterparts.
• Ability to write business reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in other languages is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite of Software Products.
• Current valid driver’s license with the ability to rent vehicles in USA and Canada while traveling.
• Current valid passport or documents as needed to travel for corporate travel.
• Good time-management skills.
• No DWI offenses, must be allowed to travel within the United States and Canada.
• No illegal drug use.
• Will require up to 25% domestic and Canada travel.

About Air Lift Company

Air Lift, a third-generation family-owned company, was founded in 1949 in Lansing, Michigan. Air Lift supplies the automotive aftermarket with load assist products and performance suspensions for show and track. Our goal is to consistently provide products and services that meet and exceed customer’s requirements and expectations. We do this by recruiting top talent and retaining them through our commitment to professional development and preservation of our culture.

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