VP Sales & Marketing

CTS is a $550 million corporation that employs 4,000+ dedicated people. CTS designs and manufactures electronic components, actuators, and sensors to OEMs in the automotive, communications, medical, defense and aerospace, industrial, and computer markets. The company manufactures products in North America, Europe, and Asia. Founded in 1896 as Chicago Telephone Supply, CTS is headquartered in Lisle, IL.

Job/Position Summary

The Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing for Sensors & Mechatronics will be responsible for designing, building, and driving a global sales strategy and organization for the Strategic Business Unit. The candidate will have proven ability to accomplish profitable sales growth in the global automotive markets. He/she has charisma, business presence, ability to build strong networks, intercultural sensitivity, negotiation skills, process-knowledge, and visionary leadership style.

This most qualified candidate for the role, utilizes experience and leads by example, will increase CTS's overall brand awareness and market share by focusing on the following: driving incremental sales with existing and new customer accounts, achieving profitability targets, installing a world-class sales & marketing methodology as well as performance management system, and possessing a solution selling process-orientation built upon superior customer relationship management.

This person will provide leadership of company sales functions across business segments. He/she will monitor and analyze sales activity against goals; manage and direct the execution of account management, sales plans and initiatives; and establish and manage a comprehensive sales structure that meets or exceeds corporate revenue expectations in all major geographic and market segments. Additionally, this individual will be responsible for providing the format, support, and guidance necessary to manage complex sales cycles.

In summary, the candidate must have a proven ability to identify, initiate, negotiate, and close deals with corporate customers, as well as a track record of recruiting, directing, and managing a successful global sales team to exceed performance goals.

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Provide leadership and coordination of company sales functions across business segments.
• Develop global sales strategy in alignment with cross functional team.
• Monitor and analyze sales activity against goals.
• Manage and direct the execution of sales plans and initiatives.
• Establish, implement, and manage a comprehensive sales structure that can meet or exceed corporate revenue expectations in all major geographic and market segments.
• Provide tools, training, format, support, and guidance to manage complex sales cycles.
• Work with major and new customers to develop network and new methods to increase sales.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure customer requirements are met.
• Identify new markets and customers, develop, and implement strategies to sell products.
• Negotiate value-based pricing with current and prospective customers.
• Develop and implement sales and communication processes in collaboration with other company stakeholders.
• Define and achieve or exceed sales objectives and manage the overall sales budget.
• Build, develop and manage global sales team, define competencies and skills, address talent gaps.
• Develop and track annual sales plan in support of organizational strategy and objectives.
• Direct implementation and execution of sales policies and practices.
• Contribute to the identification and definition of services and products, product positioning, pricing, and promotion strategies.
• Directly manage major existing client accounts and key prospects as needed, and coordinate the management, of all other accounts.
• Recommend sales strategies for improvement based on market research and competitor analyses.
• Adhere to company governance practices in all areas including ethics, quality, safety and more.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A minimum of 15 years of automotive or related experience.
• 10+ years of experience in sales or other customer facing roles with positions of increasing accountability is a plus.
• 8+ years of management experience with sound leadership in automotive industry is a plus.
• Proven ability to identify, initiate, negotiate, and close deals with corporate customers.
• Proven ability to recruit, direct and manage a successful sales team to exceed performance goals.
• Ability to formulate and implement strategy and tactics in a competitive environment.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Experience in developing and deploying effective sales and service systems and processes.
• Ability to manage multi-million-dollar programs.
• Intimate knowledge of assigned customer markets.
• Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate relationships.
• Intercultural sensitivity and experience selling in Asian, US and European markets.
• English required. German, Chinese, Japanese is beneficial.
• Salesforce.com expertise is a plus.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business or technical field.
• MBA strongly preferred.
• Automotive Industry experience required.

Physical/Working Requirements

• Ability to work several hours at a computer.
• Ability to work accommodating global time zones.
• Ability to travel approximately 50% (domestic and international).

United States EEO Statement

CTS Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer who complies with all applicable federal, state and local employment laws. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CTS Corporation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It has been and shall continue to be both the official policy and the commitment of CTS Corporation to further equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of, among other characteristics, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

We fully comply with all applicable Department of Labor and EEOC rules, regulations, guidelines, and orders including but not limited to Executive Order 11246 and 41 C.F.R. • • 60-1.4, 60-250.5(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). The parties hereby incorporate the requirements of 41 C.F.R. • • 60-1.4(a)(7), 29 C.F.R. Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A, 41 C.F.R. • 60-300.5(a) and 41 C.F.R. • 60-741.5(a), if applicable. Except where prohibited by law, all offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and drug screening.

ADA accommodation statement: If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, call Human Resources at 630.577.8811. All other applications must be submitted online.

United States Additional Considerations

It is unlawful in all states where the Company operates, including Massachusetts, to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates applicable laws may be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. The Company does not require a lie detector test as a condition of employment nor continued employment.

Applicants must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

No agencies, please. We do not accept any unsolicited resumes and are not looking to engage an agency. We receive inquiries from agencies daily. Do not direct any inquiries or emails to hiring managers. It is not our standard practice to utilize agencies; we are a federal contractor and need to comply with the same process for all.