Our client, Ludvig Svensson, seeks a results-driven General Manager to spearhead their expansion goals for the U.S. and Canada. If sales leadership is your middle name, we want to hear from you. Ludvig Svensson is the pioneer and world leader in climate control and energy-efficient textile solutions for the horticulture industry, with a legacy deeply rooted in Swedish craftsmanship and boasting over 130 years of ground-breaking innovation. Their solutions create a better climate for people and plants using less energy, water, and chemicals. Backed by continuous investments in R&D and a deep understanding of professional greenhouse cultivation, their solutions are meticulously crafted through ongoing technological advancements, material enhancements, and sustainable processes deployed worldwide. For more info and inspiration visit ludvigsvensson.com
About the Position
As General Manager, you'll spearhead Ludvig Svensson's ambitious growth targets for the U.S. and Canada while being a true client partner. With your sound commercial B2B background, preferably in horticulture or ag tech, you understand market opportunities and can translate them into actionable and sustainable business plans to boost revenue and profitability. Working closely with other Svensson foreign business units and with European corporate leadership, you will be responsible for the company's financial performance in the U.S. and Canada. The candidate we seek will get a thrill from being part of a family-oriented business culture that's fast and ready to execute, honest, innovative, and infused with a down-to-earth approach. You will lead from the front in empowering, motivating, and developing the team to excel. We expect you to be great at stakeholder management and enjoy cross-divisional collaboration while optimizing organizational success. To succeed in this role, you need to be a hands-on and solutions-oriented leader with a strong sense of ownership and not be afraid of making tough decisions when needed. This position is based at Ludvig Svensson's US HQ in Charlotte, NC, and reports to the Chief Commercial Officer in Europe. Travel of up to 40% is expected, mostly in the US and Canada.
Main Tasks & Responsibilities
Sales & Marketing
Develop, drive, and grow Svensson's market share in the US and Canada.
Lead and motivate the sales teams to achieve profitable sales and growth goals with existing and new customers.
Promote a business culture where sales and top-notch customer service come first.
Assess market data and implement sales strategies; identify business opportunities and pinpoint problem areas.
Ensure that Svensson retains its competitive edge by keeping informed on industry news and trends, products, services, and competitors.
General Management
Take responsibility for the Business Unit in the U.S. and function as its legal representative in the country.
Manage the company's resources and workforce development, ensuring best practices in recruiting, retaining, training, and motivating talent to optimize results.
Develop and implement an annual business plan to achieve the company mission, vision, and objectives.
Prepare and manage business plans and budgets, oversee sales activity plans, and take responsibility for the overall financial performance.
Meet or exceed quarterly and annual sales targets based on key performance metrics.
Review and analyze activities, costs, sales operations, and forecast data to measure progress toward set goals, including assessing, and proposing investments in talent, equipment, or infrastructure.
Provide insights to HQ in Europe on key industry developments so that appropriate actions are taken to meet the Company's mission and objectives while complying with all relevant laws and regulations.
Ensure that the Company complies with all health, safety, and other statutory regulations and that the premises are well-maintained.
Uphold Ludvig Svensson's values of:
Endurance - Building value-added relationships, operating sustainably, and investing in the future.
Reliability - Showing respect, keeping promises, telling it as it is, and leading by example.
Dynamic - Growing by being curious, flexible, and taking initiative.
What We Expect from You
Your Work Experience, Education & Skills
Bachelor's degree in business administration, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus.
Min. 7 years of management experience with a solid track record in B2B sales, business development, key account management, and team management.
Horticulture industry experience is a big advantage.
Proven experience with P&L responsibility
Experience in project and sales management and driving the sales process from plan to execution and successful closing.
Experience driving continuous improvement activities within commercial and operational teams.
Experience within an international matrix organization is a big plus.
Robust business acumen and a good understanding of various business functions, operations, and processes (sales & marketing, customer service, logistics, supply chain, finance)
Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written along with excellent stakeholder management skills
Comfortable with technology and proficient in various business software
High integrity, accuracy, and efficiency in business development tasks resulting in the best possible team performance.
Leadership Capabilities and Style
We expect you to be able to merge the best-of-the-best of American family-oriented business culture with a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial Scandinavian way of conducting and organizing business, which is non-hierarchical and results-driven while promoting, teamwork, problem-solving, collaboration, and straightforward, honest, and transparent communication.
Result- and business-minded. You possess strong business acumen, strategic ability, and a commercial mindset. Results drive you, and you can inspire and lead others to excel.
Organizational development skills. With your continuous improvement mindset,you can easily analyze and drive change /improvements, shift gears as needed, and be a strong change management leader.
Interpersonal communication skills. You can connect and relate to people from all walks of life-vertically and horizontally, internally, and externally.
People management abilities. Clearly communicating vision, mission, goals, and expectations comes naturally to you. You easily gain trust cross-divisionally and are known for creating an environment where people want to do their best.
What We Offer is More than Just a Job....
An excellent team-focused work environment with huge visibility for your efforts
An opportunity to be a part of a truly innovative and leading international company focused on sustainable solutions and practices.