Vice President, Sales & Channel Strategy

About Our Client

Our client is a global leader in industrial automation, electrification, motion control, and energy-efficient technologies. With a strong market position, industry-leading products, and a significant North American presence, the organization is investing in executive leadership to accelerate growth across its industrial sales channels. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an experienced commercial executive who thrives at the intersection of strategy, people leadership, and business growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Division Leader, the Vice President, Sales & Channel Strategy will lead a national commercial organization responsible for industrial channel sales, OEM sales, strategic partnerships, and market growth initiatives. The organization currently consists of approximately 90+ employees and several experienced sales leaders already in place. The successful candidate will inherit a strong foundation while leading key growth initiatives focused on industrial distribution channels and strategic customer development. This role is ideal for a leader who enjoys developing teams, influencing business strategy, building channel partnerships, and driving measurable commercial results.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Significant Growth Opportunity: Lead a business with substantial market-share expansion potential within a multi-billion-dollar industrial market.
• Executive Visibility: Serve as a key member of the leadership team with direct influence on business strategy and commercial performance.
• Established Market Position: Represent a highly respected portfolio of products and solutions with strong brand recognition across industrial markets.
• Strong Team in Place: Step into an organization with experienced channel leaders, established customer relationships, and a solid commercial foundation.
• Career Advancement Potential: Join a global organization known for developing and promoting high-performing leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the sales and channel strategy for a national industrial business.
• Drive revenue growth, profitability, market share expansion, and customer engagement.
• Lead and develop a commercial organization of approximately 93 employees through a team of senior leaders and functional managers.
• Oversee Industrial Channel Sales, OEM Sales, Channel Programs, and Water & Wastewater commercial activities.
• Strengthen strategic relationships with distributors, channel partners, OEMs, system integrators, and key accounts.
• Evaluate and optimize channel effectiveness, partner performance, and go-to-market strategies.
• Champion organizational development, talent management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Identify new market opportunities and support long-term growth initiatives.
• Collaborate with product management, engineering, operations, finance, and marketing teams.
• Represent the business at executive-level customer and partner meetings.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive sales and commercial leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading complex sales organizations through directors and managers.
• Proven experience managing distributor, channel, dealer, or partner networks.
• Track record of driving growth within industrial manufacturing or industrial technology markets.
• Experience leading organizations responsible for significant revenue and market-share objectives.
• Strong executive presence and stakeholder management capabilities.

Preferred Background

Experience in one or more of the following areas: Industrial Automation, Motion Control, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Motor Technologies, Industrial Controls, PLCs, Robotics, Electrical Products, Factory Automation, Power Transmission. Candidates with leadership experience from major industrial automation, electrical, motion control, or industrial manufacturing organizations are highly desirable.

Leadership Characteristics

The successful candidate will be:

• A strong people developer and coach
• Strategic yet highly execution-oriented
• Comfortable leading leaders
• Skilled at channel development and partner management
• Effective at managing competing priorities and stakeholder groups
• Capable of driving organizational alignment and accountability
• An exceptional communicator with executive-level presence
• Adept at navigating change and resolving complex business challenges

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $190,000 - $240,000
• Target Annual Incentive: 45%
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• 401(k) program
• Paid time off and holidays
• Relocation assistance available

Location & Schedule

• Hybrid work model
• Preferred location: Southeastern Wisconsin
• Relocation assistance available
• Remote candidates with highly relevant experience will be considered
• Approximately 25-50% travel throughout North America