Regional Sales Director (m/f/d) OEM Business – DACH & Eastern Europe - #945935

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

The Regional Sales Director (m/f/d) OEM Business will lead the sales strategy and execution for the OEM market across the DACH and Eastern European region within Xylem's AW segment (Applied Water: customized water management for commercial, residential and industrial markets including pumps, valves and controls). This role involves managing relationships with OEM customers, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, reliable components that meet technical and operational requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in sales, engineering, and customer relationship management within the water technology sector. This position requires a deep understanding of the OEM market dynamics in the water technology segment, including Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Configure-to-Order (CTO) processes, to provide tailored solutions that seamlessly integrate into customers' manufacturing processes. This position also involves identifying new business opportunities, managing complex sales cycles, and ensuring customer satisfaction through proactive engagement and support. Key stakeholders are external customers and trade associations within DACH and Eastern Europe. Internal stakeholders span across the complete segment: Product Management, R&D, Production, Quality, Finance, Master Planning and Logistic, Sales, Aftermarket & Service, Marketing, AEs, Legal, other segments in EU.

Location: Langenhagen or Großostheim in Germany or Stockerau in Austria, hybrid setup with travel across the assigned region

Essential Duties/Principal Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies for the OEM Business within the Xylem AW segment, focusing on growth and market penetration
• Manage relationships with key customers in OEM Industry, ensuring their needs are met with tailored solutions
• Ensure tailored support and complex solution development for strategic customers, providing technical support and guidance as needed
• Prioritize A Customers (strategic accounts), ensuring precision and customization are achieved
• Collaborate with internal teams, including engineering, production, and quality assurance, to meet customer needs and drive business growth
• Prepare and present sales forecasts, budgets, and reports to senior management, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement
• Drive team rhythm and governance, and weekly collect information on opportunities funnel, flash figures, risks and opportunities
• Focus on joining customers’ approved vendor lists, competitive bids
• Collaborate with customer-facing teams, including marketing, AED, customer support, and pricing, to meet customer needs and drive business growth
• Develop growth strategies and plans, identifying and mapping business strengths and customer needs
• Manage and retain relationships with existing clients, increasing the client base
• Write business proposals and negotiate with stakeholders
• Monitor market trends and competitor activities to identify new business opportunities and stay ahead of industry developments
• Follow industry trends locally and internationally, reporting on successes and areas needing improvements
• Lead and mentor the OEM sales team (9 people), providing guidance and support to achieve business objectives and drive performance
• Set goals and KPIs for team members and monitor performance
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment
• Develop and implement training programs to keep team members updated on trends and strategies
  
  

Qualifications: Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities, License/Certification:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field; a Master's degree is preferred
• 15+ years of experience in direct sales with focus on OEM Markets
• Business fluent English, other European languages (especially German) highly valued
• Strong understanding of industrial and OEM markets in the water technology sector
• Excellent leadership and team management skills
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful sales strategies
• Experience in managing large accounts and complex sales cycles
• Experience with Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Configure-to-Order (CTO) processes
• Ability to travel extensively across DACH (primary region to start) and East Europe Countries
• Proficient in planning and scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and end-to-end project management
  
  

We Offer You More Than Just “A Job”

• Professional Development – To advance the capabilities of our people, we offer a wide variety of experiences to support our employees’ professional growth and continuous learning.
• Total Rewards – We offer comprehensive programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, work-life integration and corporate citizenship.
• Watermark – Watermark is our corporate social responsibility program working to provide education and access to safe water to ensure healthy lives, gender equality, and resilient communities. Employees have the opportunity to learn and volunteer on various water-related projects.
• Employee Networks – Our Employee Networks provide a professional, supportive network for employees from diverse backgrounds, including Women’s, LGBT+ and Allies, Veteran’s, People of Color and Allies, Emerging Leaders, and Working Parents Networks.
  
  

For questions regarding this opportunity, please reach out to Niklas Naunheim, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at +49 1621374371.

We are looking forward to your application!

Xylem is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law.

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.