CEO Electrical Components
(m/f/d)

Global technology niche market leader – 40 million euros sales

The economically sound German-based group is a manufacturer and supplier of mission-critical electrical components and systems with a strong global presence. It holds several registered patents. In a highly concentrated niche market with strong barriers of market entry, it is the clear leader. With approx. 135 employees it generates annual sales of 40 million euros, with Asia and the US being the most important markets. The group serves a broad blue-chip customer base in a wide range of application areas, e.g. chemistry, semiconductor production, environmental technology, food processing, MedTech. Due to its superior production capacity the company can handle orders from the largest customers worldwide. Long-standing relationships with its suppliers allow for high product availability and short lead time for customers. Also, the company has the broadest distribution network and service capabilities in the market. It has retained a very personal, familiar culture. Staff turnover is low. The group enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide for its technical expertise. However, the commercialisation of its products, engineering and consulting services has not always been at the forefront. Pride was more on innovation, R&D and the variety of possible applications of the technologies. Therefore it is crucial to build a clear sales strategy combined with a sales approach more balanced between the current inbound-driven and outbound-based. To avoid working on too many opportunities at the same time, addressable application markets need to be prioritised and developed to maturity, with lighhouse customers or partners being acquired. Next to this, the sales function needs to be further developed, e. g. in strategic pricing, contract and risk management, and by introducing a CRM system. Through marketing and with the already existing substantial ESG reporting as a reference, the group’s positioning as an impact company should be strengthened. Overall, the group operates in numerous highly attractive, cutting-edge, often decarbonisation- and sustainability-orientated markets and has many valid levers for increasing sales and profits. As the CEO is foreseeably retiring, his successor needs to be recruited.

Sales strategy – marketing – corporate development – change management

You report to the Advisory Board. Together with the Leadership Team, you initiate, manage, support and track the growth trajectory along the entire value-chain, based on the agreed strategy. You foster a culture of continuous improvement across all entities with a focus on entrepreneurial action, cross-functional cooperation and the realization of group synergies. You drive commercial focus, co-supervise key accounts, accelerate the aftermarket & spare part business and are present on trade fairs/ symposiums. You hold sales and marketing accountable to order intake metrics and agreed sales growth along targeted verticals. You harmonize the branding across the group, improve the website and social media to have a clear offering for each target end-market highlighting USP and value proposition for the particular application.

General Manager with SME experience, versed in international sales and marketing of complex technical solutions

I am looking to talk to a business leader who acts as a role model for employees through competence, decisiveness, clear/ open communication and a high level of customer and problem-solving orientation. You are approachable, authentic and pragmatic, favoring “simple and good enough” appropriate to a medium-sized company. You set simple and clear priorities, identify potential deviations early and correct them without delay. After a degree preferably in physics, chemistry or electrical/ mechanical/ industrial engineering, you have developed into a general manager with a proven track-record of profitably growing businesses in international, medium-sized companies. You posses a sound understanding of the KPI-driven management of direct sales, distributors and of the marketing of complex technical solutions. Ideally, you have in-depth knowledge of one or more of the group’s application markets.