EXCLUSIVE BRAND DIRECTOR - HVAC

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Paris, Sonepar is an independent family-owned company with global market leadership in B-to-B distribution of electrical products and related services. Sonepar focusses on long-term results and continued growth through the combination of acquiring strong local businesses and organic growth. This strategy has delivered consistent above market growth rates creating opportunities for associates, suppliers and customers. Sonepar’s culture is one of support and collaboration as operating business work together and share best practices not only within their country, but globally as well.

Assisting customers in a wide range of markets and drawing on the skill and passion of its 44,500 associates, Sonepar has sales of €26 billion (as of December 31, 2021). Through a dense network of 150 operating companies spanning 40 countries and 5 continents, and the digital solutions developed, the Sonepar Group delivers greater service and enhanced customer relations every day. Sonepar’s ambition is to become "La Référence" - the standard-setter for all its stakeholders (www.sonepar.com ).
 

Based in Geneva, this job position is new and is part of the Sonepar Exclusive Brands & Sourcing Office in Geneva which launches a new exclusive brand for the HVAC market and consolidates the group products sourcing from Asia. Sonepar Group sales in the HVAC segment amounts to around 900 Million Euro.

This Geneva office is a key entity of the Group and it benefits from a lot of attention inside the organization. Therefore, it’s a huge career development opportunity for a talented person with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Directly reporting to the Group Vice-President Exclusive Brands, this Exclusive Brand Director will be a key contributor to this new business development adventure.

The Exclusive Brand Director develops the Exclusive Brand HVAC business with internal customers (Group Operational Companies) and manages the HVAC EB product category. He set-ups a strategic vision, creates action plans, uses the brand – communication team to manage the brand, achieves sales objectives, etc… He is the head of this HVAC Exclusive Brand inside the organization.

• Develop and implement commercial strategies according to company goals and objectives aiming to accelerate growth
• Conduct market research and analysis to create detailed business plans based on commercial opportunities (expansion, business development etc.)
• Define HVAC sourcing portfolio scope and development roadmap
• Understand the requirements of existing customers to ensure their needs are being met
• Act to acquire new customers and manage client relationships (new and existing)
• Recruit, Develop and Manage step by step diverse teams (product management, sales, customer service…)
• Build and maintain profitable partnerships with key stakeholders
• Provide and request support on behalf of HVAC application internal users through multiple communication channels – escalation from Tier 1 opco support
• Monitor performance of commercial activities using key metrics and prepare reports for senior management
• Assist in setting financial targets and budget development and monitoring.

The candidate should have the following skills:

• Proven experience in HVAC business development function or another relevant role
• Proven experience in sales and/or marketing and managing relationships with key clients
• In-depth understanding of market research methods and analysis
• Solid knowledge of performance reporting and financial/budgeting processes
• Commercial awareness partnered with a strategic mindset
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• BSc/BA in business administration, marketing/Sales or relevant field; MSc/MA is a plus
• Speak fluently English
• Know how a sourcing office is working is definitely a “+”

Specific soft skills expectations for this position are:

• Sociable, sense of humor.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Entrepreneurship;
• Strong attention to details;
• International “minding”;
• Service oriented;
• Total integrity is non-negotiable.

• Sourcing office employees
• Sonepar Countries’ Category and Purchasing Management teams
• HVAC factories through Chinese SGSO team
• Potentially third-party companies like HVAC consultants, IT firms.