Sales Director

APAC Sales Director – Pump Systems

European Pump Manufacturer | Industrial, Chemical, Municipal, Food & Beverage, Petrochemical & Mining Applications

MacKinnon Bruce International is assisting a leading European pump manufacturer in the recruitment of an experienced APAC Sales Director to lead sales and business development across the Asia-Pacific region, ideally based in Australia. This is a rare opportunity to join a company known for engineered, high-performance pump solutions, serving chemical, municipal water, oil & gas, food & beverage, petrochemical, mining, and industrial markets across APAC.

About the Client

The client is a European pump manufacturer with decades of engineering excellence, producing advanced centrifugal, submersible, gear, vane, turbine, diaphragm, and positive displacement pumps.

Specializing in engineered pump technology, the company delivers safe, reliable, and sustainable fluid-handling solutions for industries where precision, durability, and compliance are critical. Their pumps are trusted in chemical processing, municipal water, oil & gas, food & beverage, petrochemical, mining, and OEM applications worldwide.

Role Overview

The APAC Sales Director will lead and manage regional sales operations across Asia-Pacific, overseeing sales teams and distribution networks while expanding market presence across the region.

This role carries full accountability for revenue, profitability, and market growth, with a strong focus on municipal water, mining, food & beverage, petrochemical, chemical, oil & gas, and industrial sectors.

The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with hands-on market engagement, driving growth in both direct sales and channel networks, with a focus on submersible, centrifugal, and positive displacement pumps, along with other engineered pump solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a regional APAC sales strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Drive business growth across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and India.
• Build and maintain relationships with key customers in municipal water, mining, petrochemical, food & beverage, oil & gas, chemical, and industrial markets.
• Represent the company at regional trade shows, conferences, and industry events.

Distribution Network & Market Expansion

• Develop and manage distribution and channel partner networks across APAC.
• Expand market coverage through strategic onboarding and support of agents, distributors, and service partners.
• Monitor and optimize channel performance to maximize revenue and market penetration in the region.

Sales & Business Development

• Identify and prioritize growth opportunities across municipal water, mining, food & beverage, petrochemical, oil & gas, chemical, and industrial sectors.
• Lead initiatives in aftermarket service, engineered solutions, and sustainability projects.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Marketing to deliver application-specific solutions, including submersible and positive displacement pumps.

Operational Excellence & Reporting

• Oversee forecasting, budgeting, and sales performance reporting for the APAC region.
• Ensure consistency in pricing, proposals, and commercial processes across the region.
• Drive continuous improvement in sales operations and customer engagement.

Leadership & Team Development

• Coach and empower regional sales teams and distribution partners.
• Promote collaboration across global offices and alignment with corporate objectives.
• Lead commercial and contractual negotiations for high-value contracts.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and customer-focused performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering (or related technical field).
• 10+ years of sales or commercial leadership experience in industrial pump systems or fluid-handling equipment.
• 5+ years managing regional or international sales teams.
• Proven success in developing distribution networks and channel partnerships in APAC.
• Expertise in engineered-to-order and OEM pump solutions, including submersible and positive displacement pumps, preferably magnetic drive or leak-free systems.
• Strong knowledge of municipal water, mining, food & beverage, petrochemical, oil & gas, chemical, and industrial pump markets.
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in additional languages (e.g., Mandarin, Japanese) advantageous.
• Willingness to travel across the APAC region.

Why This Role

• Lead APAC growth for a European engineering leader in advanced pump technologies.
• Expand distribution channels and direct sales across the region.
• Shape regional sales strategy and market presence in key APAC sectors, including mining, municipal water, food & beverage, and petrochemical.
• Competitive compensation, regional exposure, and leadership development opportunities.
• Join a culture built on innovation, sustainability, and European engineering excellence.