The North American Sales Director is responsible for defining and executing the commercial strategy for the Aviation business across the United States and Canada, driving sustainable growth through OEMs, aircraft integrators, airlines, MROs, distributors, military customers, and aftermarket channels. The role combines direct ownership of strategic, large OEM and Tier 1 Integrator accounts with leadership of the North American commercial organization.

This position will develop and execute growth strategies that increase orders, revenue, profitability, customer satisfaction, and market share across both OEM and aftermarket segments. The North American Sales Director serves as a key member of the Aviation leadership team and represents the company with major customers, industry partners, and aviation organizations.

The successful candidate will have extensive commercial leadership experience within the aviation industry, established customer relationships, and a strong understanding of aircraft battery technologies, including Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) and Lithium-based systems.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Aviation Management, or a related field required.
• MBA or advanced business degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive sales leadership experience in the aviation or aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated success managing large OEM, Integrator, and airline accounts.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed commercial teams.
• Proven track record of growing revenue and market share in highly technical markets.
• Experience managing complex contract negotiations and long-term strategic agreements.

• Develop and execute the North American commercial strategy aligned with company objectives.
• Establish annual sales plans, growth targets, and market penetration strategies.
• Identify and prioritize growth opportunities within commercial, military, business aviation, rotorcraft, and emerging aerospace markets.
• Drive market intelligence activities, competitive analysis, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with global leadership on long-term business development and customer engagement strategies.
• Serve as executive account leader for major OEM and strategic aviation customers.
• Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers across aircraft manufacturers, system integrators, airlines, and military organizations.
• Lead commercial negotiations, long-term agreements, pricing strategies, and contract renewals.
• Influence aircraft program selections and position the company's products early in development cycles.
• Coordinate responses to RFIs, RFQs, and major program pursuits.
• Develop relationships with major aerospace integrators and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Support aircraft platform growth through proactive engagement with engineering, procurement, and program management organizations.
• Position the company as a strategic technology and support partner.
• Identify opportunities for retrofit, upgrade, and next-generation battery programs.
• Drive growth within airlines, MRO organizations, distributors, leasing companies, and military operators.
• Expand sales of repair services, replacement batteries, upgrades, and support solutions.
• Develop value-based pricing strategies tailored to customer operational requirements.
• Support distribution channel development and strengthen strategic distribution partnerships.
• Identify new aftermarket revenue opportunities and service offerings.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing North American sales team.
• Provide direction to Account Managers, Application Engineers, and Product Support personnel.
• Establish clear objectives, performance expectations, and development plans.
• Foster a customer-focused, collaborative, and accountable culture.
• Manage organizational resources to support commercial objectives and customer requirements.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, Operations, Program Management, and Customer Support teams.
• Ensure customer requirements are effectively communicated and executed throughout the organization.
• Support new product introductions and strategic technology initiatives.
• Drive alignment between customer needs and company capabilities.
• Deliver accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual sales forecasts.
• Manage sales pipelines and opportunity progression.
• Monitor key performance indicators and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
• Achieve annual goals for orders, revenue, margin, and market share.
• Support budgeting and strategic planning processes.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, customer events, and aviation organizations.
• Promote the company's brand and market presence throughout North America.
• Build industry relationships that strengthen market positioning and create future opportunities.

Whether you are just getting started or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package to include generous compensation based on market standards, healthcare, wellness, adoption assistance, discounted stock purchase, career development and recognition programs. Some of our superior benefits include parental (maternal and paternal) leave, 401K retirement contribution match at 7%, educational assistance (tuition reimbursement), Short-term Disability (STD), paid holidays, paid vacation, and paid employee referral award.

We appreciate diverse skills/experience and yours could add immense value to our team. Our customers have varied backgrounds and so do our employees. If you are excited about leaving your footprint on our technical customer-centric solutions while increasing sales, we would love to hear from you.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, and genetic information. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact us by email at reasonableaccommodation@saft.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Saft is a global battery company like no other! Our long experience and pioneering spirit, combined with our unique industrial approach, puts us in a leading position to meet the needs of the most demanding customers.  Our batteries and battery systems make a different in every market sector they serve.

Established in 19 countries and supported by our 16 production sites, Saft has more than 4,300 employees around the world and more than 3,000 customers across a range of industries. 

Since 2016, Saft is a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy company that produces and markets various forms of energy, including oil, biofuels, natural gas, green gases, renewables, and electricity. With 100,000 employees, TotalEnergies is committed to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to as many people as possible.  The company operates in approximately 120 countries and places sustainability at the core of its strategy, projects, and operations.