Director - Sales Specialty Beauty

KDC is a network of best-in-class custom formulators and manufacturers of color cosmetics, skincare, haircare, bath & body, fragrance, deodorant, home, health, industrial, and auto care products. KDC delivers high-touch innovation, operational excellence, and speed to market to well-known and emerging beauty, personal, and specialty companies across North America. With headquarters in Longueuil, Québec, KDC operates 10 facilities throughout North America and employs nearly 4,800 talented and dedicated employees.

About the role

The Sales Director, Specialty Beauty will drive growth and market adoption of our specialty beauty products and solutions. This pivotal role encompasses developing and executing a comprehensive commercial strategy, key account planning, and building strong relationships with senior-level client decision-makers. The successful candidate will leverage their deep understanding of the beauty and personal care industry and strong leadership skills to prioritize market and product segments, drive aggressive growth, and ensure KDC remains the partner of choice for innovation and manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop a clear, actionable sales strategy across key market segments to drive aggressive growth. Assess and prioritize market and product segments to align organizational focus across sales, marketing, and product innovation.
• Own the development of detailed multi-year growth plans for key customer accounts.
• Operationalize strategy and work cross-functionally to achieve target results by translating strategy into specific actions and initiatives. Optimize customer prioritization, targeting, pricing strategies, and margin management.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, Quality, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to align sales initiatives with broader company objectives.
• Provide strategic direction for pipeline management, guiding the sales team in aligning lead generation efforts with business objectives. Implement initiatives to ensure a healthy pipeline, focusing on long-term growth and sustainable revenue generation.
• Utilize market insights and industry trends to identify emerging opportunities and adjust pipeline strategies proactively.
• Build strong relationships with key customers to understand their evolving needs and preferences. Ensure KDC remains a trusted and innovative partner by delivering exceptional value and service.
• Develop and deliver customer-specific strategies that increase loyalty, maximize long-term value, and position KDC as the preferred partner.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track performance against goals and market benchmarks in real-time. Review sales data to identify drivers of underperformance and areas for improvement.
• Proactively foster partnerships within the broader KDC network to offer holistic solutions to customers. Leverage relationships to enhance product offerings and explore collaborative opportunities.
• Build a strong understanding of site manufacturing capabilities and maintain regular communication with sites to drive successful business opportunities.
• Manage sales budgets, forecasts, and expenditures effectively to ensure optimal resource allocation and financial performance. Monitor sales-related expenses and track return on investment (ROI).
• Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive threats, and growth opportunities. Utilize insights to inform sales strategies, product development, and go-to-market approaches.
• Stay abreast of industry developments and leverage market intelligence to maintain a competitive edge.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in sales roles within the beauty industry, with a proven track record of achieving revenue targets and driving business growth.
• Experience in skincare, hair care, or color cosmetics is preferred.
• Deep understanding of the beauty and personal care industry, including market trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute sales strategies that align with company objectives.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Strong financial acumen, including understanding of margins, pricing processes, and expectations.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to analyze sales data, market trends, and performance metrics to drive informed decision-making.
• Results-oriented with a focus on delivering measurable business results and exceeding sales targets.
• Ability to collaborate across the global KDC network to address concerns and solve problems.
• Prior knowledge and use of a CRM tool.