Business Segment Manager - Connected Lighting/Smart Cities

The Business Segment Manager will lead our connected lighting initiative in North America. We are seeking a true entrepreneur who has a proven track record of building teams and driving new business/sustainable revenue.

This role will be responsible for further developing Schreder’s established strategy for the connected lighting and smart cities market in North America while hiring a team of players to reach our desired growth ambitions.

This role demands a highly dynamic and technical individual with strong existing relationships with cities, municipalities and DOTs. We are seeking a visionary leader who will have leadership over this segment.

Main responsibilities within the job:

• Hire, onboard and lead a team of 6-8 direct reports consisting of the following: outside sales, inside sales, field application engineering, project management and marketing (dotted line responsibility).
• Enhance and drive the execution of the existing 5 year plan/growth strategy to exceed the revenue and EBIT targets defined.
• Align strategy with Schreder Hyperion, Schreder’s smart city innovation hub in Portugal, and engage Hyperion resources to support the execution of key projects. Provide market feedback and drive technology requirements to Hyperion for solution development.
• Build and foster relationships directly with key decision makers and stakeholders in the market. Establish Schreder as a trusted source of knowledge and expertise in the market.
• Expand Schreder’s ‘beyond lighting’ capabilities in the market and paly an instrumental role in helping cities/municipalities execute their smart cities initiatives.
• Partner closely with the VP of Sales maximize growth across the North American business units. Support the regional sales team in their efforts to sell connected lighting solutions through their sales channels.
• Develop and implement framework for efficient project delivery and support services for connected lighting projects.
• Develop new revenue streams via recurring service models.
• In close collaboration with the Marketing team, define a comprehensive digital marketing strategy and lead generation initiative for the segment.
• Parter closely with Finance to develop annual budgets and create mechanism for providing reliable forecasts.
• Define and communicate product development needs for the North American market with clear specifications which are supported by a robust business plan.
• Gain in-depth knowledge of the competitive landscape to enhance company’s competitive positioning in the connected lighting market.
• Develop partnerships in the industry to further strengthen Schreder’s position in the market (industry thought leaders, trade organizations, key conferences, OEM partnerships, channel partners, etc).
• Maintain a highly visible role in the industry by securing speaking engagements at key conferences and trade events.
• Gain a deep knowledge of the funding sources available to assist potential customers in achieving their smart cities initiatives.
• Coach, mentor and develop team members to develop leadership depth within the organization while driving a culture of transparency, empowerment and accountability.
• Ensure that the business activities are aligned with the Schreder Group vision on sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or technical discipline is strongly preferred; MBA considered a plus.
• Prior outdoor connected lighting industry experience (minimum of 5 years) or similar experience selling sensor technology to the public sector.
• 10+ years of relevant leadership experience in sales and/or business development with multiple direct reports is a must.
• 10+ years of relevant experience with technical products within an industry with long and complex sales cycles.
• Proven track record of driving new business growth in excess of $10 million. Exceptional business planning skills that can be demonstrated.
• Languages: English, French considered a plus.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Entrepreneurial and motivational leader who can drive results through others
• VERY strong technical acumen and deep knowledge of lighting and related industry standards
• A bias for action
• Proven track record in consultative selling
• Strong results orientation
• Superior communication skills and the ability to motivate across all levels of an organization
• Servant leadership mindset
• High levels of integrity, self-awareness and humility
• Ability to build long term partnerships across multiple cultures
• A passion for serving customers and exceeding their expectations.

Other requirements:

• Frequent travel required (50%) both domestic and international
• Strong network of contacts and tangible relationships with cities, municipalities and DOTs is strongly preferred
• Membership in industry committees would be a definite plus.