Director of Sales Semiconductor and Vacuum Coating Europe

Our client is a Global Leader in Smart Manufacturing Technology.

Our client is a well-established global provider of smart manufacturing enablement solutions that help industrial customers improve productivity and quality. Its technology portfolio spans digital process monitoring, analytical and optical instrumentation, and coating and surface-treatment applications used across advanced manufacturing sectors. Operating internationally, with a presence across Europe, the Americas and Asia, the organisation continues to invest in its long-term commercial growth across the region.

Director of Sales – Semiconductor & Coating Technologies, Germany & Europe

The Director of Sales – Semiconductor & Coating Technologies is a senior commercial leadership role accountable for driving revenue growth and market expansion across European and UK OEMs and end-user accounts in the semiconductor and industrial coating sectors. The role combines direct strategic selling with team leadership, coaching a high-performance sales team to deliver against ambitious growth targets. This role is directly responsible for the European sales team, with a focus on Germany, and for the segment's budget, growth strategy and market development goals as part of the organisation's long-term commercial ambitions in EMEA. Combining an established network and strong commercial instincts, this individual will build influential senior relationships within the semiconductor end-user and coating technology markets, positioning the organisation as the partner of choice for years to come. Experience in Germany and fluency in German are required.

Your Tasks:

Sales Leadership & Revenue Growth

• Own and deliver the annual sales budget for the segment across Europe and UK
• Define and execute regional go-to-market strategies for semiconductor end users and coating technology OEMs
• Support Key Account Managers in strategic opportunities by engaging at senior and executive level, opening doors and building the high-level relationships that underpin long-term account growth
• Drive new customer acquisition alongside growth within the existing account base
• Monitor and review the team's pipeline health and forecast accuracy, coaching KAMs to course-correct when coverage or progression falls below target

People Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach and develop a team of Key Account Managers across Europe, UK and Ireland
• Set clear individual performance expectations with regular reviews and field coaching
• Identify talent gaps and develop team capability through structured training and career development
• Recruit top commercial talent in line with business growth plans
• Foster a high-performance culture built on accountability and customer focus

Market Development – Semiconductor & Coating Technologies

• Define the overall sales strategy and key initiatives for the European semiconductor and coating technology markets, targeting end users, OEMs and research institutes
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships that support the team in penetrating and growing key semiconductor and coating technology accounts
• Monitor competitive dynamics and capex cycles to proactively position the organisation's solutions
• Support the team in developing and growing commercial relationships with key coating technology OEMs across Europe, with a focus on driving design-in from initial specification through to volume production
• Identify and develop new business opportunities across both the semiconductor and coating technology markets, targeting emerging applications and underpenetrated accounts

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Applications and Service Management to ensure customers receive the highest level of technical and commercial support
• Partner with Business Unit and Executive leadership to deliver market intelligence and voice-of-customer insights that shape the organisation's long-term product and business strategy
• Represent the organisation at industry conferences, trade events and leading industry working groups, raising the profile of the business and building influential industry connections

Success Metrics

• Achievement of annual revenue and bookings targets for the segment, supported by accurate funnel management and high-quality forecast delivery
• Year-on-year growth in new customer acquisition and market share
• Team engagement, retention and individual development progress
• Conversion of opportunities to sales, including new design-in wins, new customer acquisition and overall growth within the existing account base
• Customer satisfaction scores and net promoter indicators from key accounts

Required Skills and Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field such as Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or Business; MBA or equivalent business qualification an advantage
• Minimum of ten years of technical sales experience in the semiconductor and/or coating technology industry, with at least three years in a senior sales leadership or management role
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets in a complex, technical and multi-stakeholder sales environment
• Fluency in German and English
• Demonstrated success in managing and growing a regional sales team, with direct experience of coaching, performance management and talent development
• Strong business acumen with excellent networking, influencing, presentation and negotiation skills at senior and executive level
• Proven ability to drive growth across new and existing markets by supporting and enabling the team to develop key accounts, with a strong focus on building long-term senior relationships
• Deep understanding of the European semiconductor ecosystem and/or coating technology landscape
• Highly motivated and self-driven, with the ability to work independently and lead without close supervision
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively across EMEA and internationally as required

Desirable

• Strong technical knowledge of smart manufacturing products, processes and services
• Familiarity with industrial process instrumentation and analytical or measurement technologies
• Existing senior network within the European semiconductor or coating technology communities
• Experience working within a global matrix organisation
• Additional European languages an advantage

Leadership Competencies

• Drives for Results: Relentlessly pursues growth targets; holds self and team accountable with a "find a way" mindset
• Develops People: Invests time in coaching and unlocking potential; builds team capability as a strategic priority
• Thinks Strategically: Balances short-term execution with long-term market positioning; sees the bigger picture
• Customer Focus: Builds trusted partnerships with key customers; advocates for the customer internally
• Collaborates Effectively: Works across functions and geographies; earns trust through transparency and follow-through
• Communicates with Impact: Articulates a compelling commercial vision; adapts message for technical, commercial and executive audiences