Head - Sales - Motor Industry Startup

The Role :

- The Head of Sales will be responsible for developing and executing the Sales & Business Development strategy in India and overseas.

- The role brings in leadership, vision and creativity in building sales funnel for Chara products and solutions, converting the funnel into revenue stream.

- The successful candidate will define and drive high-impact, cross functional strategies, and plans. S/he will engage with key clients to deliver sustainable and future sales and revenue growth.

- This is a critical leadership role that reports to the CEO.

- S/he will hire, train and oversee a team of high potential Sales and Business Development Executives/ Managers dedicated to expanding market coverage for Chara Technologies.

- Due to the high-tech nature of the product, complexity of the sales process and diversity of the markets that fall into its scope, the role will require sophisticated B2B sales leadership skill, excellent understanding of the customer's internal dynamics as well as external market dynamics and most importantly, entrepreneurial zeal and approach to get the desired results.

- Internally, the role will work directly with the executive leadership team across all functions including product/tech , engineering , Marketing , Finance, HR , Customer success and stakeholders like board members/investors.

- Externally, this role will engage with CXO and other stakeholders of Client organization, Partner organization, Industry Influencers and Policy Makers. As such, the CBO Role Holder must be a natural collaborator and team player with superb influencing and interpersonal skills.

Specific Responsibilities :

- Develop Sales and BD strategy for all addressable market segments and geographies, grow revenue and ensure alignment between Product Road map and Sales strategy.

- Actively engage with customers and collaborate with Product/Technology team to meet the current and the future needs of the market.

- Hire, Train and Lead a high potential & high-performance Sales & BD team to achieve KRAs set in alignment to overall organizational goals.

- Be accountable for sales and Revenue growth in a sustainable manner

- Track competition and other related developments in the eco-system

- Serve as internal and external Thought leader responsible for communicating Chara's vision; present Go to Market strategy to executive leadership and externally to CXOs of current and potential clients.

The Person :

Pivotal Experience & Expertise :

Sales Leadership :

- Track record of leading B2B technology business / Startups in the Developing, Expanding and Nurturing of client relationship.

- Effective negotiator who has built strong partnerships. Un-ambiguous Customer centricity.

- 15+ years of relevant experience. Leadership roles in leading automotive industries is a plus.

- Deep understanding of the trends in manufacturing and supply chain

- Current understanding and appreciation of the trends facing the potential customers around supply chain, disruptive geopolitical events as well as technologies in the eco system. And a strategic and innovative vision on how Chara could position itself in response.

- Setting up a channel model for selling products is desitable.

Leading through Ambiguity :

- A proven capability to lead through complex and ambiguous situations.

- An understanding of how ever-evolving business environment will impact the organization and the ability to lead/navigate change purposefully.

Execution and Stakeholder Management :

- Strong management skill with track record of delivering results.

- Experience of working with Founders/ CEO / Executive Team internally and CXOs and Industry Influencers externally.

- Ability to influence and impact strategy level discussions internally as well as externally in client organizations.

Emerging Markets :

- Experience in operating across various market segments in varying degrees of development with ability to demonstrate agility and adaptability of approach accordingly.

- Direct understanding of our client industry is beneficial but not critical. A stint outside India especially with an MNC is desirable.

- Cultural Fit and Impact

Lead by Example :

- A self-starter with a bias towards action, result oriented, commercial, and solution-oriented mindset. Strong business acumen and native to technology selling. Treats other with respect and empathy. Passionate about Chara's business and vision with the courage to stand up for what is right.

- Communicate Openly Advanced communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels of an organization. Actively seeks value and the perspective of others, strong listening skill with the ability to share a clear vision. Enable and Inspire A Business leader who can attract and build a team and inspire and coach them to be the best performing team within their markets. Someone who provides encouragement to team members and co-workers, including communicating team and company goals and has an unwavering focus on accelerating team performance.

Excel with Customers/Partners :

- An unrelenting approach to customer success/service; someone who consistently strives to improve the products/services/brand as well as business operations, to meet and exceed the customer's expectations.

- Strong collaboration skill with the ability to build deep relationship internally to partner across functions. A strong external business network which will contribute to commercial business opportunities.

Act Decisively :

- A decisive leader who has a natural problem solving capability and is able to consider and debate pros and cons of different situations, to ultimately arrive at a favourable outcome.

- A curious and bold leader, motivated to take risks and advocate for changes that benefit the entire company. Fact based and principled decision maker.

Collaborate :

- A team player who will integrate into a Start-up culture. Someone who is comfortable in sharing responsibility and resources for success of the company.