Vice President Commercial Operations Europe

A Career at HARMAN

As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

About the Role

Reporting to the SVP & GM, the Vice President will have direct oversight of the region’s revenue generation and GTM team. The VP is responsible for developing and managing the general business activities for all consumer brands of Sound United in Europe with a specific emphasis on sales, marketing, regional go-to-market and brand activation.

Your Team

• This position has 6 direct reports (and their staffs) including the 4 channel directors, GTM EU Lead and EU Commercial Support manager.

What You Will Do

• Lead, manage and develop a team of ~50 team members around the region with P&L responsibility to include sales, gross margin, marketing, expense and EBITDA results.
• Lead and develop the revenue generation of the region including wholesale and distribution development.
• Provide overall leadership, developing and implementing a clear vision, strategy and plan for the regional sales and GTM organization in line with Sound United’s go to-market strategy. This includes identifying and implementing new business opportunities and growth strategies for the product portfolio and solutions around the region.
• Work with the product team on roadmap development to ensure the regional requirements are being met within the broader context of product platform requirements.
• Work closely with the operations leadership to ensure the planning and forecasting is controlled to the expected levels.
• Collaborate closely with Sound United senior management globally to ensure alignment with global business objectives and to proactively contribute thought leadership and overall strategy influence insights across the business.
• Work with the regional marketing organization to provide best in class marketing programs and synergies with commercial operations that drive sell out across the Sound United European dealer base.
• Build and strategically foster relationships with regional leads to gain a clear understanding of the businesses, requirements and objectives to ensure regional expectations are met/exceeded.
• In conjunction finance and commercial support management, develop annual sales, marketing, margin and EBITDA budgets for EU region while driving accountability for results. Continually shape, support and review performance against monthly, quarterly and annual business plans.
• Review and report on key sales metrics including market share, sales, and gross margins by brand and country where available. Evaluate the effectiveness of sales—methods, costs and results and take appropriate corrective action to drive improved productivity and EBITDA.
• Build and foster business relationships with key retail and distributors across the region
• Focus on optimizing the dilution percentage in market from gross to net sales.
• Make preparations in strategic markets for new product launches as rolled out by brand. Collaborate with teams responsible for pricing, marketing, promotional and visual merchandising strategies.
• Represent Sound United at regional trade exhibitions, events, demonstrations and seminars. Promote positive trade relationships with partners and trade/press.
• Participate in global strategy meetings where required to represent Commercial Operations and Marketing input on product development as requested by brand leadership.
• Gather business intelligence including customer and competitor data and share information regarding market dynamics and future buying trends with marketing, product development and procurement.
• Support best in class training and internal communications platforms that supports Sound United product vision of being a company of firsts.
• Ensure that the sales strategy is set-up for success, by developing and implementing a structure and strategy, which enable growth and ensure added value for the customer. Continue to build the team and ensure that the right team is in place to drive the growth process.

What You Need to Be Successful

• In-depth understanding of the Consumer Electronics industry.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years experience leading a team in a global environment; developing and coaching this team.
• Demonstrated success leading and managing across region and P&L (general management), demonstrating market awareness and a strong commercial focus.
• Track record of success in developing and leading the execution of innovative and forward-thinking channel sales and marketing strategies; and business development.
• Track record as a recognized change agent and innovator who has courageously led and challenged the status quo.
• Clear understanding of the importance of a business needing to protect its legacy core products while transforming beyond legacy products to new and emerging technologies, products and solutions.
• Energetic and charismatic leader who can motivate those around him and provide the necessary leadership and guidance to create a successful commercial development team and business cycle.
• Exceptional and rigorous communicator who excels at intrapersonal relationships across multiple and diverse cultures.
• Strong commercial mindset, which is built on robust analysis of facts and structured thinking as well as be comfortable in a strategy setting environment while focusing on day-to-day sales execution.

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 30%, internationally
• This role is based out of a HARMAN office and can utilize HARMAN Flex
• Successfully completing a background check and reference checks
• This position requires driving. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon having a clean driving record, which will be evaluated according to company policy

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
• Access to employee discounts on world-class products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.