Vertriebsleiter (m/w/d) mit Wachstumsmentalität bei Private Equity-finanziertem Industrieunternehmen

About the Company

A medium-sized, specialized manufacturer of custom insulation and cooling cell systems from Baden-Württemberg is seeking an experienced sales professional. The company supplies customers from industry, refrigeration technology, bakery & food, as well as cleanroom/pharma sectors. With approximately 120 employees and revenue in the low double-digit million range, it is supported by an experienced financial investor.

The Role

You will lead a team of inside and field sales representatives – and actively participate in sales yourself. The ambition is significant double-digit growth in the next 2-3 years – through systematic development of existing customers and targeted acquisition of new target markets in the DACH region and Europe. Success after 12 months will be measured by increased order intake from top customers, a robust new customer pipeline, and established reliable reporting.

This is not a classic corporate framework, but offers real creative freedom and direct impact – for someone who takes responsibility rather than just managing, and wants to actively build processes.

Responsibilities (Aufgaben)

Manage and Build Sales Processes:

• Structure the sales process from inquiry to order intake, ensuring consistent follow-up and quotation discipline, managed via CRM (Sage/TPS/Pipedrive).

Lead and Develop Team:

• Provide binding leadership to inside and field sales, set priorities, and close gaps through partner structures or new personnel, including onboarding.

Develop Existing Business:

• Systematically manage top customers with a structured retention strategy, moving beyond random contact.

Acquire New Customers:

• Target key accounts in industry, refrigeration technology, bakery, and cleanroom/pharma sectors through a defined lead scoring and acquisition process.

Engage Multipliers:

• Address planners, general contractors, and refrigeration installers early on to act as door-openers for multiple projects.

Technical Persuasion:

• Deliver presentations and training to customers, confidently engaging with C-level executives and on-site personnel.

International Acquisition:

• Conduct regular customer appointments and active acquisition in European countries.

Qualifications (Qualifikation)

• Manager with a Creator Mentality: You want to drive change, not just manage. You actively develop, close deals, and lead with conviction. Hands-on, pragmatic, not a corporate type.
• Structured and Measurable Sales: This is your DNA, with a high affinity for CRM systems and process-driven workflows.
• 5-10 Years of Experience: Proven sales experience in B2B project business, ideally in cooling cells, cleanrooms, food, or related capital goods industries.
• Demonstrable Sales History: A track record of closing real deals.
• Leadership Experience: Experience leading teams of approximately 5-10 people, with the ability to set priorities without micromanagement.
• Technical Understanding: Strong technical comprehension or a quick ability to grasp complex products (insulation systems, cooling cells, custom builds).
• Travel Readiness: Willingness to travel within DACH and European countries, including for active acquisition.
• Language Skills: Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are welcome.

Advantageous:

• Existing network with general contractors/refrigeration installers.
• Experience in building sales processes.
• Additional foreign language skills.

Benefits (Benefits)

• Competitive Compensation: Fixed salary + performance-based variable bonus (market-rate) + company car.
• Genuine Creative Freedom: Short decision paths, direct impact, no corporate bureaucracy.
• Stable Foundation: A solid customer base provides a strong foundation, with a PE-funded growth trajectory for future prospects.