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Sales Director (ag) - Switzerland / CE

Switzerland Permanent View Job Description
This is a true turnaround‑style leadership role - not a crisis situation, but a mandate to raise the bar, challenge established ways of working, and actively steer both business results and people performance

Added 02/04/2026

  • Lead a focused performance and transformation agenda
  • Business-fluency in French, German, and English is required

About Our Client

On behalf of a well-established international industrial group in the specialty steel sector, we are supporting the search for a Sales Director / Head of a Sales Branch to lead and further develop the company's Swiss stainless steel distribution business.

The role combines full P&L responsibility, people leadership, and hands-on commercial execution in a demanding, industrial B2B environment. It is suited for a resilient, pragmatic leader who is willing and able to stretch - personally and through their teams - while operating close to customers and day-to-day operations.

The position is based in Switzerland, with regular customer visits locally and frequent travel to France and Germany.

Job Description

Sales Leadership & Business Development

  • Define and execute the sales strategy in line with divisional and group objectives
  • Actively manage revenue growth and profitability in a competitive market environment
  • Develop and maintain strategic customer relationships, personally involved in key negotiations
  • Closely monitor commercial performance and implement concrete action plans where required
  • Contribute to strategic initiatives in collaboration with a central Program Office and group stakeholders



Branch Management & Operations

  • Overall responsibility for the commercial, logistical, and administrative processes of the branch
  • Optimize inventory management and sourcing processes in close cooperation with operations
  • Ensure high service quality, delivery reliability, and fulfilment of customer commitments
  • Full budget responsibility, including monitoring of KPIs and financial performance
  • Ensure implementation of group health & safety standards at branch level



Leadership & Team Development

  • Lead, motivate, and develop an established, experienced sales and administrative team
  • Set clear objectives and actively manage individual and team performance
  • Recruit, onboard, and coach employees as required
  • Foster a demanding but supportive culture, characterized by accountability, cooperation, and engagement

The Successful Applicant

  • A higher education degree in engineering, industrial studies, business administration, or a comparable field
  • Solid industry experience in steel, metals, or closely related industrial B2B sectors
  • Proven experience in sales management and leading a profit center or business unit
  • Strong leadership track record, with the ability to challenge, stretch, and steer both yourself and others
  • A resilient personality, comfortable operating under pressure and in changing market conditions
  • Experience working in a matrix organization (strong advantage)
  • A very hands-on mindset: close to customers, teams, and operational realities
  • An international outlook and openness to cross-border collaboration
  • A career stage that combines energy, learning agility, and leadership maturity - this role is not intended for a late-career profile



Languages: Fluency in French, German, and English is required.

What's on Offer

  • A senior leadership role with real operational responsibility and visibility
  • High degree of autonomy combined with strong group backing
  • A stable industrial environment with long-term orientation
  • Competitive compensation, including fixed and variable components, aligned with responsibility and performance
  • The opportunity to leave a personal footprint and further grow into broader responsibilities within an international group



Quote job ref
JN-032026-6975563

Job summary

Job Function
Sales
Specialisation
Sales Manager/Director/VP
Industry
Industrial / Manufacturing
Location
Switzerland
Contract Type
Permanent
Job Reference
JN-032026-6975563

PageGroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity, both as an employer as well as a recruitment service provider. Each recruitment decision we make for people we hire and people we place into new roles is based solely on the candidates’ knowledge, experience and skills.