Sales Director

Sales Director - Turkey

Knauf stands for opportunity. We know that opportunity looks different to each person, and we are proud that we see opportunity in everyone. This exciting role within the Knauf Turkey leadership team could be the perfect next opportunity for you to build a unique career, in a values-led culture with a clear purpose of making tomorrow a home for all of us.

We are a global manufacturer of construction materials and within our Group, our 43,000 team members in 90 countries across 300 sites provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyone's contribution equally and we ask that you bring your whole self to work, to enrich the business further, as together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.

Knauf Turkey is proud to be part of the Knauf Group. We have a 92 year heritage in gypsum and plasterboard manufacturing and have big plans for the future. Our global reach in 90 countries continues to grow and we are looking for passionate, ambitious people to help us achieve our goals. We are all led by the same core values and believe in the powerful potential of large companies to have a positive impact on the world. Knauf Turkey is a key market within the Group, with a strong presence across both project and retail channels, a nationwide dealer network, and an ambitious growth agenda. We are now looking for a leader to join us in Ankara as Sales Director.

Can you say ‘yes’?

Do you treat your colleagues with respect?

Do you always have the customer in mind?

Do you act with future generations in mind?

Do you like to seek out opportunities to grow and develop?

Do you have a proven track record of delivering results?

This role is responsible for delivering the Knauf Turkey sales budget, driving sustainable growth, increasing market share, and strengthening strategic customer relationships across both Projects and Retail channels. The role reports to the General Manager and leads the country sales organization with a strong focus on customer centricity, people development, and performance discipline.

What you’ll be doing:

Role and Scope:

As Sales Director of Turkey, you will own and deliver the full national sales budget across both Projects and Retail channels, develop a high-performing sales team, and drive sustainable profitable growth in close collaboration with Technical, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance functions.

Key Responsibilities:

Full Budget Ownership

• Own, deliver and exceed Knauf Turkey’s annual sales budget (revenue, volume, price increase and margin).
• Proficient in CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot) to track KPIs, analyze trends, and drive Sales Management Process for building a strong future growth pipeline.
• Develop and execute both short and long-term profitable sales goals, set revenue targets, and align sales strategies to achieve these goals.
• Expert ability to negotiate commercial terms, high-value contracts and close complex deals including inflation management and currency fluctuations.
• Lead acquisition of new customers, geographical expansion and portfolio expansions and penetration.

Strategic Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with key dealers and distributors, leading consultants and architects.
• Strengthen long-term partnerships to position Knauf as the preferred solution provider.
• Drive strategic agreements and framework partnerships.

Leadership of the Sales Team

• Lead and develop the Turkey Projects and Retail Sales Teams, with full responsibility for Aquapanel and PFT sales organizations, ensuring strategic alignment and performance across all Knauf entities.
• Drive early-stage project engagement and specification strategy.
• Ensure structured pipeline management and disciplined execution.
• Support major negotiations and key account penetration.
• Foster collaboration with Technical, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance.

Strategic Sales Growth & Market Share Expansion

• Define and execute growth roadmap
• Identify underpenetrated segments and expansion opportunities.
• Drive new product introduction and system selling.
• Build and maintain a strong nationwide dealer network in line with Knauf policies and targets.
• Monitor competitor dynamics and proactively adapt strategy.

Customer Centricity & Value Proposition

• Embed a customer-first mindset across the sales organization.
• Promote system-based selling and value over price.
• Ensure high service standards and proactive issue resolution.
• Strengthen market positioning of Knauf as a premium partner.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing sales organization.
• Define clear KPIs and accountability framework.
• Develop succession plans and talent pipeline.
• Empower team leaders while maintaining performance governance.

Governance, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Report monthly department performance to the General Manager.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement; identify and eliminate waste across areas of responsibility.
• Actively participate in Health, Safety & Environment initiatives.
• Uphold Knauf Code of Conduct standards across all commercial activities.

What we’d love for you to have:

We are interested in you as a person: your attitude, behaviors and values. As long as you have the willingness to learn anything you need for the role that you don't already have, we'd love to speak to you. If you have experience in the following areas – this is an added advantage:

Education

• A bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a relevant field is required. MBA is preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of sales leadership experience in a relevant industry
• Proven track record in driving revenue growth and achieving sales targets
• Strong experience in managing and developing sales teams
• Experience in building materials or a related industry is preferred
• Strong background in project sales and retail sales channel management
• Demonstrated success in managing dealer networks and key accounts
• Experience in developing and executing sales strategies across markets

Skills

• Strong sales acumen with a results-driven mindset
• Ability to develop and execute sales strategies
• Strong customer relationship management and customer centricity
• Excellent negotiation and closing skills
• Strong stakeholder and key account management
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop sales teams
• Strong influencing and communication skills in a matrix environment
• High performance and target orientation

Leadership Competencies

• Shape Direction
• Deliver Results
• Empower change
• Build collaboration
• Drive engagement

Language

• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, is required.

Travel

• Willingness and ability to travel as needed across Turkey, Region and Global.

What happens next?

We appreciate that your time is precious and applying for a new job can be a lengthy process - so we have committed to replying to your application as soon as possible.