International Sales Manager

Department: Sales / Marketing

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: US - Blaine - Minnesota

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Own sales performance, revenue growth, and profitability for assigned international markets in alignment with annual plans and corporate objectives.
• Develop and execute regional sales plans that define target markets, customers, channel strategies, growth priorities, and measurable actions.
• Identify, qualify, and convert new business opportunities with distributors, OEMs, end users, and other strategic customers.
• Manage the opportunity pipeline, prepare forecasts, and maintain clear visibility to sales activity, risks, and expected results.
• Lead commercial negotiations, pricing discussions, quotations, and closing activities while protecting margin and long-term customer value.
• Monitor market, customer, and competitive developments and recommend actions that improve Cat Pumps’ position and performance.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and channel partners through regular communication, business reviews, and in-market engagement.
• Travel internationally to understand customer operations, uncover growth opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and support the sales process.
• Partner with customers to understand application requirements and coordinate technically sound pumping solutions with internal subject-matter experts.
• Support distributor effectiveness through goal alignment, product and application knowledge, opportunity planning, and performance follow-up.
• Represent Cat Pumps professionally at customer meetings, trade shows, industry events, and other market-facing activities.
• Ensure customer inquiries, quotations, and commercial issues are addressed accurately, promptly, and with appropriate internal coordination.

• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and performance support to the Export Coordinator, including clear priorities, accountability, and development.
• Coordinate effectively with Engineering, Customer Service, Operations, Finance, Marketing, and regional entities to deliver consistent customer experience.
• Communicate market needs, product feedback, competitive intelligence, and customer priorities to support informed business decisions.
• Improve sales processes, tools, reporting, and operating rhythms that increase commercial effectiveness and execution discipline.
• Lead or support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.

• Achievement of assigned revenue, gross margin, and profitable growth objectives.
• Quality and conversion of the sales pipeline, forecast accuracy, and execution of regional sales plans.
• Growth and retention of priority customers, distributors, and strategic accounts.
• Expansion into targeted applications, channels, and geographic markets.
• Timely, accurate customer follow-up and effective resolution of commercial issues.
• Strong cross-functional partnership, team leadership, and representation of Cat Pumps in the marketplace.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, International Business, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• At least 8 years of progressive experience in international sales, technical sales, business development, channel management, or a related commercial field.
• Demonstrated success delivering profitable sales growth and closing complex business opportunities.
• Experience selling engineered, technical, or industrial products and translating customer requirements into practical solutions.
• Experience developing distributors, channel partners, OEMs, or strategic accounts across international markets.
• Ability to lead an employee and coordinate work effectively across functions, cultures, and geographic regions.
• Strong business acumen, negotiation, planning, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present recommendations and represent the company with customers and partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using CRM or other commercial reporting tools.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally based on business needs.
• Ability to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

• Engineering or technical background with knowledge of pumping systems, fluid handling, or related industrial applications.
• Experience with high-pressure pumps, engineered components, industrial equipment, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing sales across multiple countries, cultures, currencies, and distribution models.
• Proficiency in an additional language relevant to assigned markets.