VP of Sales

Description

Kahler Automation

Job Title: VP of Sales

Reports to: CEO

Department: Sales

Location: 808 Timberlake Road, Fairmont, MN 56031 

Position Summary: The Vice President of Sales is a strategic leader responsible for driving Kahler Automation's revenue growth and long-term business success. This role develops and executes sales strategies to expand market presence, strengthen customer relationships, and achieve annual sales goals. Leading a high-performing sales team, the VP of Sales fosters accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement while coaching team members, managing the sales pipeline, and ensuring opportunities progress effectively to maximize win rates. 

As a key ambassador for Kahler Automation, the VP of Sales builds strategic partnerships, expands OEM relationships, identifies new market opportunities, and represents the company at industry events and customer engagements. Working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams, this role helps shape business strategy, drive sustainable growth, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. 

Exhibit and promote the following values:

• Curious Attitude: An employee who is curious is motivated to take time to question and explore new things to find answers that will ensure the best outcomes for the organization. 
• Focus on Quality: An employee who values quality has integrity and produces results that meet high standards set by the organization. 
• Passion for Service: An employee who is service-oriented displays a positive behavior and responds to customers using good business practices to meet their needs and expectations. 
• Dedicated Spirit: A dedicated employee is one who takes ownership for their role and the whole organization to ensure that goals are achieved. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Lead, manage, and hold accountable (LMA) the Regional Accounts Managers, Inside Sales team, and Industrial Relations Manager by establishing clear expectations, coaching performance, developing talent, and fostering a high-performing, customer-focused sales organization. 
• Develop and execute strategic sales plans that align with the company's annual revenue, profitability, and growth objectives while overseeing sales activities across all regions to drive profitable growth, expand market presence, and achieve individual and team sales goals. 
• Monitor and manage the sales pipeline, forecasts, budgets, regional plans, and key performance indicators to ensure opportunities progress efficiently, resources are effectively allocated, and sales objectives are consistently achieved to support sustainable business growth. 
• Collaborate with Regional Accounts Managers, Solution Consultants, Engineering, Project Managers, and other cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive customer solutions and competitive project proposals. 
• Champion the growth of Kahler's software subscription offerings by integrating subscription-based solutions into the overall sales strategy and supporting customer adoption. 
• Build, strengthen, and maintain long-term relationships with customers, strategic partners, OEMs, and vendors to expand business opportunities and enhance customer satisfaction. 
• Identify new business opportunities, emerging markets, and strategic partnerships that support Kahler Automation's long-term growth initiatives. 
• Represent Kahler Automation at customer meetings, industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events to strengthen the company's brand, develop relationships, and generate new business opportunities. 
• Utilize ERP, CRM, and other business systems to maintain accurate customer information, sales activity, forecasting, reporting, and performance metrics that support informed business decisions. 
• Analyze sales trends, market conditions, customer feedback, and competitive activity to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and recommend strategic initiatives. 
• Develop, implement, and maintain sales processes, policies, and best practices that improve efficiency, customer experience, and overall sales effectiveness. 
• Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical business practices, and all applicable laws and regulations while promoting Kahler Automation's core values and commitment to exceptional customer service. 
• Perform other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned to support the continued growth and success of Kahler Automation. 
• This job description is not comprehensive, and all employees must be adaptable, flexible, and willing to perform other duties as assigned by their manager/supervisor. 

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the following:

• DEPENDABILITY AND RELIABILITY: Performs all duties and assignments whether or not supervision is present. 
• COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Expresses ideas, information, and instruction in a positive and effective manner. 
• TEAMWORK and COOPERATION: Works cooperatively with coworkers and supervisor. Acts as an effective team member with other employees through cooperation. 
• JUDGMENT: Makes reasonable and appropriate decisions. 
• ADAPTABILITY: Readily and effectively adjusts to changing ideas and activities. 
• ROLE MODELING: Acts as a good role model for other employees. 
• CREATIVITY: Shows imagination and innovation in solving problems. 
• ATTENDANCE: Reliably reports for work as scheduled, works OT when requested. 
• SAFETY: Follows all safety rules and works in a safe manner. 
• PRODUCTIVITY: Produces an acceptable amount of work, of sufficient quality in an appropriate amount of time. 

Requirements

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Education/Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading, developing, and managing high-performing sales teams, with a demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and hold team members accountable for results. 
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (preferred). 
• Preferred experience in the agricultural industry, with a strong understanding of bulk material handling systems, process automation, and the operational needs of grain, feed, fertilizer, and seed facilities. 
• Preferred experience in industrial automation, controls, or systems integration. 
• Experience with forecasting, pipeline management, strategic account planning, and CRM systems.  
• Strong communication, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills. 
• Strong presentation skills and understanding of consultative selling. 
• Ability to interpret technical documents and regulations. Including electrical schematics, PFD’s and P&ID’s. 
• Experience in business plan creation and budget establishment. 
• P&L experience is highly desired. 

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and TEAMS.  This position will use the ERP and CRM system daily to perform work. 

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations in a logical manner to come to a conclusion. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Math Ability: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.  

Language Ability: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical documentation, and governmental regulations. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees at all levels in the organization.

Certificates and Licenses: Valid Driver's license 

Travel: 40-50% of the time, but may be greater due to projects. Customer visits often require overnight stays. Travel may be by automobile and airplane. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands: The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to the risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell.