Head of Sales Europe
JOB DESCRIPTION
Head of Sales Europe – Packaging Solutions
Job Title: Head of Sales Europe – Packaging Machinery
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (with European travel)
Reports To: Vice President, Sales & Marketing (or CEO, depending on structure)
Company: Tronrud Engineering AS
About Tronrud Engineering
Tronrud Engineering, headquartered in Norway, is a leader in innovative automation solutions and advanced packaging machinery. With over 50 years of experience in engineering excellence, Tronrud designs, manufactures, and delivers highly customized machinery to global industrial clients, offering a unique blend of innovation, quality, and customer-centric solutions.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Sales Europe to lead the growth of Tronrud Engineering’s packaging machinery business across Europe. Based in Amsterdam, you will be responsible for developing and executing the regional sales strategy, building a strong sales network, expanding market presence, and managing key customer relationships.
This is a pivotal leadership role for an entrepreneurial and hands-on sales professional who thrives in a high-growth, technical environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and drive the European sales strategy for Tronrud’s packaging machinery portfolio across targeted industries such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors.
- Identify, prioritize, and capture new business opportunities across Europe, building a healthy sales pipeline.
- Establish, manage, and support a network of local sales agents, distributors, and partners.
- Directly manage key customer accounts and lead major sales negotiations.
- Collaborate closely with Tronrud Engineering’s technical, engineering, and project delivery teams to ensure customer solutions are aligned with market needs.
- Deliver accurate market analysis, competitor intelligence, and customer insights to support strategic decision-making and product development.
- Represent Tronrud Engineering at trade fairs, industry events, and customer forums across Europe.
- Assume full responsibility for regional sales forecasts, budgets, and achieving revenue and profitability targets.
Key Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field; an MBA is advantageous.
- 7–10 years of senior sales experience within industrial machinery, with a strong focus on packaging machinery or related automation solutions.
- Demonstrated success in business development and key account management across multiple European markets.
- Solid experience in building and managing a combination of direct and indirect (agent/distributor) sales networks.
- Strong technical understanding to communicate complex solutions to a range of stakeholders.
- Fluent in English; additional European languages (German, French, Dutch, etc.) are highly valued.
- Willingness to travel extensively throughout Europe (50–70%).
Personal Attributes
- Entrepreneurial spirit combined with strategic and operational execution capabilities.
- Strong leadership and influencing skills with a hands-on, "lead by example" approach.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
- Highly self-motivated, resilient, and results-driven.
- Culturally adaptable with a customer-centric mindset.
Why Join Tronrud Engineering?
- Opportunity to drive the European growth agenda for a respected and innovative engineering company.
- High visibility role with significant impact potential and career advancement opportunities.
- Agile and entrepreneurial work environment with strong Norwegian roots and values.
- Competitive base salary, attractive bonus structure, company car allowance, and full benefits.
Om Papillon Executive Search AS
A Papillon Executive Search advisor is required to have extensive experience in the recruitment industry. It is essential for us to focus on the future of executive search—both by driving innovation within a traditionally conservative sector and, most importantly, by working with industries and companies we are truly passionate about.
Papillon Executive Search is committed to establishing a leading position in recruitment within two key areas, guided by our expertise and professional focus. We find it highly stimulating and rewarding to work within the green transition, technology companies, and start-ups transitioning into scale-ups, as well as scale-ups that have progressed further. These companies share a common thread: strong passion, ambition, and a clear vision for the future.
We believe we can add significant value by leveraging our expertise and acting as trusted advisors to our clients. Across industries, many of the challenges companies face are universal and not always immediately apparent—particularly when it comes to identifying and attracting the right talent for key positions.
We have identified two primary industry sectors where we will focus our efforts:
1. The Green Transition
The world is undergoing a major shift toward sustainability, and Norway has taken a leading role in many areas. With our background, experience, and network, we are well positioned to be a strong partner and advisor in recruitment within this sector. We are already working with companies such as Arendals Fossekompani, UMOE Gruppen, Å Invest, NRP Zero, Hydrogen Pro and Air Liquide, both directly and through their portfolio companies.
2. Technology Companies
This sector has many intersecting dimensions with the green transition and represents a broad yet clearly defined focus area. The phases, challenges, and dynamics that tech companies face are often similar. Our expertise extends to companies specializing in security, health, and welfare technology—sectors that contribute to a greater purpose.
Finding the right candidate requires a deep understanding of the business case, the company, and its current and future landscape. It also demands strong advisory capabilities, strategic insight, and—most importantly—the ability to attract the right talent with the right motivation for the role.
That is where we excel.
Our vision is that our contribution to the recruitment process will result in hires that positively impact the company’s working environment, productivity and profitability in the short and long term.