Eleven Recruiting is hiring a Director of Sales for one of our largest aerospace manufacturing clients, sitting onsite in Chatsworth, CA. This senior-level role is responsible for driving sales growth, managing key customer relationships, and delivering on strategic revenue and margin targets. The Director of Sales will lead the development and execution of sales strategies, manage performance through KPIs, and work cross-functionally to ensure the success of both legacy and growth-oriented business initiatives.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the full sales function and be accountable for achieving organic revenue and margin growth for aerospace product lines across all key markets.
- Drive the achievement of annual order bookings targets and conversion of outstanding customer quotes into sales bookings.
- Prepare and negotiate commercial proposals and contracts, ensuring alignment with company authorization levels and financial objectives.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of leads and opportunities in the company CRM system; provide accurate and timely sales forecasts.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to support strategic growth planning (e.g., account plans, market development, and commercial strategy).
- Develop and maintain relationships with key influencers and decision-makers across customer organizations and distribution channels.
- Maintain detailed key account plans and provide leadership in long-term customer engagement strategy.
- Lead sales process optimization and track performance against key KPIs.
- Partner with marketing on trade show strategy and attendance planning.
- Represent the company's brand and capabilities in industry-facing activities while identifying opportunities to expand market share.
- Contribute to overall business strategy, growth recommendations, and operational planning in alignment with executive leadership.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Industrial Management, Marketing, or Procurement required.
- 7+ years of experience in a senior sales, sales operations, or commercial leadership role within the aerospace industry.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across all levels of an organization, including executive stakeholders and customer leadership.
- Proven success working in lean, fast-paced teams, with the initiative and flexibility to adapt within a dynamic, global environment.
- Deep understanding of customer purchasing structures, value-based pricing, and cost-benefit analysis.
- Familiarity with CRM systems for tracking pipeline activity, quotes, and account progress.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to interpret and drive decisions based on financial drivers and metrics.
- Excellent analytical, listening, and negotiation skills with the ability to clarify and confirm customer requirements.
- Demonstrated experience implementing or improving sales teams, processes, or tools.
- Experience in strategic planning, S&OP forecasting, and account-based selling.