Regional Sales Manager

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Regional Sales Manager – Central based in the United States. As a Regional Sales Manager, you will lead and develop a regional sales team responsible for driving growth across the Central United States within the eye care industry. Reporting to the Head of Sales, you will translate business strategy into actionable territory plans, strengthen customer relationships, and identify new commercial opportunities. This field-oriented leadership role combines strategic planning, hands-on coaching, and key account management to maximize sales performance. You will work closely with sales, marketing, and learning and development teams to enhance product knowledge, improve execution, and deliver measurable results. With a strong focus on employee development and continuous improvement, you will help build a motivated, high-performing team while contributing to the organization's growth in the eye care market. The role requires regular regional travel and significant time in the field, making it ideal for a leader based in the Central United States with convenient access to a major airport.

You will oversee regional sales performance, implement commercial strategies, and empower your team to achieve ambitious business objectives while strengthening customer engagement and market presence. Regional Sales Leadership: Directly manage and develop a team of Regional Account Managers across the Central United States, ensuring effective execution of strategic and tactical business plans. Business Strategy: Contribute to the development of sales and marketing policies, plans, and procedures designed to maximize profitable revenue growth. Communicate business priorities clearly and ensure each team member understands their contribution to overall objectives. Territory Planning and Performance: Monitor regional sales performance, establish robust territory plans, and identify opportunities to protect existing revenue and expand market share. Sales Execution: Conduct quarterly business plan reviews, ensure compliance with agreed sales cycles, and support the effective execution of priority product initiatives, promotional programs, and new product launches. Management Cadence: Establish regular team meetings, one-on-one discussions, field visits, and ride-alongs to monitor execution, provide guidance, and maintain alignment with business priorities. People Management and Development: Lead recruitment, onboarding, performance management, coaching, mentoring, and professional development. Ensure team members maintain the skills, knowledge, and competencies required for success. Performance and Talent Management: Coordinate Performance and Development Reviews, establish clear sales and behavioral expectations, and support employees through recognition, constructive feedback, training, and appropriate performance interventions. Employee Engagement: Identify development opportunities for high-potential employees through stretch assignments, projects, and cross-functional collaboration. Foster an inclusive, connected, and motivating environment for a geographically distributed workforce. Key Account Management: Provide additional attention to major accounts, strengthen relationships with eye care professionals, and identify opportunities to improve customer retention and commercial performance. Commercial Recommendations: Advise the Head of Sales on pricing, product portfolio changes, product launches, promotional activities, advertising programs, and participation in industry congresses and conferences. CRM and Reporting: Ensure compliance with CRM requirements and maintain accurate customer and pipeline information. Provide regular reports on territory performance, market conditions, and recommended business actions. Market and Competitive Intelligence: Analyze sales statistics, competitor activity, customer needs, and market trends to inform commercial strategy, forecasts, and sales targets. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with marketing and learning and development teams to address field marketing needs, strengthen product knowledge, resolve technical questions, and improve sales effectiveness. Regional Business Growth: Identify new business opportunities, evaluate changing market dynamics, and ensure commercial initiatives are executed effectively and professionally. Requirements: You are an experienced commercial sales leader with strong business acumen, a track record of leading regional teams, and a solid understanding of the eye care, life sciences, pharmaceutical, or medical device industries. Education: A university degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field is required. A master's degree or relevant professional certification is preferred. Sales Leadership: Proven experience in a sales management or leadership role, with demonstrated success in motivating teams and achieving regional business targets. Three or more years of sales management experience is preferred. Industry Experience: A strong background in life sciences or commercial business is required. Five or more years of experience in the eye care industry is desirable. Market Knowledge: Commercial awareness of the eye care market and the pharmaceutical or medical device industries, including relevant products, services, customers, competitors, and market dynamics. Sales and Account Management: Experience in operational sales, key account management, customer relationship management, and channel management. Strategic and Commercial Acumen: Ability to identify and develop business opportunities, assess market intelligence, evaluate commercial risks, and translate insights into effective business plans and sales targets. Team Development: Demonstrated ability to recruit, coach, mentor, motivate, and manage sales professionals while maintaining accountability for individual and team performance. Business Execution: A proven ability to deliver commercial objectives, implement sales strategies, and drive results in a professional, collaborative, and performance-oriented environment. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Initiative, diligence, adaptability, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to succeed in a fast-paced or startup-like environment. Customer and Market Focus: Understanding of customer needs, channel dynamics, local market conditions, and industry developments that influence purchasing decisions and commercial opportunities. Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret sales statistics and market information, communicate findings, and make data-informed recommendations. Familiarity with NetSuite, Qlik, and CRM platforms is beneficial. Communication and Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, build effective cross-functional partnerships, and communicate business priorities clearly. Driving License: A current, valid full driving license is required. Travel Availability: Willingness to travel regularly within the assigned region and occasionally internationally. The role is expected to involve approximately 60–75% field time. Location: Ideally based in the Central United States with convenient access to a major airport. Benefits: Base salary: $160,000–$180,000 per year, depending on relevant experience and qualifications. Leadership opportunity: Take ownership of regional sales strategy, team performance, and commercial growth. Professional development: Opportunities to coach and develop sales talent while strengthening your own leadership capabilities. Cross-functional exposure: Collaborate with sales, marketing, and learning and development teams on strategic business initiatives. Field-based engagement: Build direct relationships with customers and sales professionals across the Central United States. Equal opportunity workplace: A commitment to equal employment opportunities and a professional environment that prohibits discrimination and harassment.