May

12

Career Opportunity: Technical Publications & Service Training Manager – LiuGong

Posted by : Ben | On : May 12, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

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Liuzhou, China

Liuzhou, with a rich history spanning over 2 millennia, is the home of LiuGong's headquarters in China.

About the company:

LiuGong, the largest manufacturer of wheel loaders in the world, is a 50-year old corporation based in Liuzhou, China, with an annual sales volume of approximately $2 billion dollars. Having built CAT branded wheel loaders for 8 years, for sale in China, LiuGong also manufacturers various other types of construction equipment.  With their North American headquarters based in Katy, Texas, the following product lines are sold and supported via a growing independent dealer network: wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, motor graders and rollers.  In addition to the products currently sold in North America, LiuGong designs and builds: dozers, cranes, asphalt pavers, cold planers and forklifts.

About the opportunity:

The Technical Publications and Service Training Manager will have the primary mission of developing a full library of technical publications, in English, to support LiuGong construction equipment products which are marketed Globally. As part of this product support initiative he/she will develop a service training operation for dealers, customers and LiuGong product support specialists. The NA base will be in Katy (Houston), Texas. However, as all products are designed and manufactured at various LiuGong facilities, in China, this Manager will need to spend approximately 50% of the time in China, including stays of two to three months at a time. This new role will report directly to a highly respected and bi-lingual Director of Aftermarket, based in Liuzhou, China. There is a competitive compensation package, very good benefits and relocation assistance. This role does involve international travel but bi-lingual skills are not required.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Ideally 10 years Technical Publications Experience, with a manufacturer of construction equipment
  • Bachelors Degree Required: engineering or technical degree would be ideal
  • Excellent English Language Skills, including technical writing
  • Living in Katy (Houston area), Texas or living in Liuzhou, China; (A) Living in the Katy, Texas area which will require spending approximately 50% of his/her time in China, with stays of 2 to 3 months at a time; or (B) Living in China and traveling to Texas as needed

How to Apply:

We invite you to review the FULL detailed position description for this Technical Publications & Service Training Manager opportunity at LiuGong, which is available at the link below. Our Two-Step application process is outlined on the last page of this position description:

Please click here: http://bit.ly/boeI7K

May

09

Career Opportunity: Control System Engineer – Frontier Wind

Posted by : Ben | On : May 9, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

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Control System Engineer - Frontier Wind

THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Frontier Wind is a leader in renewable technologies. Frontier Wind is a well-funded developer of advanced rotor technologies for utility grade wind turbines. The senior engineering members are among the most respected and talented in their fields, and the executive management has built and grown businesses worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

ABOUT THE CULTURE:

Frontier Wind is a technology driven company with an exciting, patented technology and an entrepreneurial spirit. The Sacramento area Engineering Center is staffed by an expanding team of extremely intelligent, focused Engineers (many of them with Masters and PhD’s) who each have their key areas of expertise and contribution for the company’s cutting edge “Gustbuster” technology, an active load control project that is gaining increasing acceptance with some of the largest wind turbine manufacturers in the world.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Control System Engineer will develop cutting edge wind turbine aerodynamic control solutions including model predictive control supported with a technical roadmap. Control System tuning will be performed with modern control techniques including genetic algorithms, Taguchi method, etc. Optimal software platforms will be selected for controller implementation and then control software documentation must be completed and configuration controls maintained. This engineer will be based at Frontier Wind’s Sacramento area Engineering Center, in Rocklin, California – which has been billed as one of the nicest areas to live in all of California.

This Engineer will enjoy a competitive base salary, an incentive bonus opportunity, a range of excellent benefits and a relocation assistance package, to help our winning candidate and his/her family make a smooth transition to the Greater Sacramento, California area.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

•  Bachelor’s degree required. BSME is preferred. An Aerodynamic or Electrical  degree acceptable. A relevant Masters degree would be considered a plus – not required.
•  5-10 years engineering controls experience – required
•  Wind Turbine Industry Experience – Required
•  Experience in Motion Control and/or Vibration Control and/or Aerodynamic Control – required
•  Controls programming experience – required: C is preferred; FORTRAN, C++, Simulink or Labview is acceptable
•  MATLAB experience – required, SIMULINK is a plus
•  Experience in Software Test – required
•  Classical & Modern control technique experience; PID, Kalman, Root-locus
•  Must be able to promptly relocate to Sacramento, California

Apr

19

Career Opportunity: General Manager, International Business – LBX

Posted by : Ben | On : April 19, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

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Lexington, Kentucky

LBX headquarters based in Lexington, Kentucky

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About the company:

LBX Company, LLC (LBX) has a history dating back to 1874 and is recognized today as a leader in excavators, forestry and material handling equipment. LBX headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky is located on an 8-acre campus with new facilities constructed in 2006 and 2007, and the company employs approximately 85 people including 14 living outside the Lexington area.

About the opportunity:

This General Manager, International Business is responsible for providing leadership to the Sales Team and collaborating with all other departments to maximize the company’s focus in Latin America. Today the Sales Team includes a Latin American Sales Manager based in Miami, Florida and a Sales Manager (not yet hired) based in, and focused on, Brazil. The ideal GM will have a desire to “build a business” by first identifying logical trade areas and then identifying, attracting and developing the necessary dealer organization to successfully achieve the objectives. LBX’s parent company, Sumitomo, has fully committed the financial resources and a future manufacturing presence to support this marketing and sales focus in Latin America. This position offers a six-figure salary, an attractive annual bonus, a range of excellent benefits and relocation assistance to the Lexington, KY area.

Other Essential Duties/Functions:

  • Establish clear, well-defined objectives for the Sales Managers. Motivation, accountability and Team development will all be a part of this process
  • Identification and monitoring local market pricing levels and establishing pricing policies to maximize the company’s gross margin dollars and achieve sales objectives
  • Manage SG&A expenses to achieve targeted profitability from International Sales
  • Collaborate with other departments, such as Engineering, Marketing Communications, Product Support and Credit/Finance to maximize the use of available company support resources

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience developing dealers in Latin America (Experience in Brazil is mandatory) & Minimum 15 years experience working with a distribution organization in heavy equipment or related industries
  • The proven ability to assess international markets and to develop strategic and tactical marketing plans
  • Extensive International travel is required – (up to 75% initially)
  • Spanish language skills will be considered a plus. Demonstrated success traveling & selling heavy equipment in Latin America will be considered as the most important factor regardless of language skills
  • Bachelors Degree is required
  • Relocation to Lexington, Kentucky required

Apr

07

Final Highlights from all 5 days at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011

Posted by : Ben | On : April 7, 2011

Category: Events

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conexpo-conaggFor anyone that didn’t make it to this year’s CONEXPO show, here are a few highlights (courtesy of the Official CONEXPO-CON/AGG news team):

Mar

30

CONEXPO Day 4-5 Wrap-ups

Posted by : Ben | On : March 30, 2011

Category: Events, JSA News

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Well, Jerry and team made it safely back and I thought I’d catch up and post the remaining Day 4 and Day 5 video’s of the 2011 CONEXPO/CON-AGG show in Vegas. Take a look below:

Day 4

Day 5

Mar

25

CONEXPO Day 1-3 Wrap-ups

Posted by : Ben | On : March 25, 2011

Category: Events, JSA News

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As our veteran team members Bill & Chris Sitter make their way back home to San Antonio from Las Vegas, owners Jerry Randecker and his wife Carol start Day 4 of 2011′s CONEXPO/CON-AGG show. Also, as we take the ice-packs off our feet this morning and slip in those comfy Dr. Scholls gel pads in our shoes, we’re continuing our open invitation for folks to meet with us at the show. Even if it’s just to say hi, or if you have a particular business opportunity you’d like to discuss, don’t hesitate to contact us and setup an appointment, via our point man at headquarters: Ben Tovar, via email (ben@jordansitter.com).

I know many of you can’t be here at the show, so I’ve included the following video news bulletins which summarize Days 1, 2 and 3 at the show, below.

And now, for your enjoyment:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Mar

22

JSA Team at CONEXPO

Posted by : Ben | On : March 22, 2011

Category: Events, JSA News

Tags:, ,

conexpo-conagg With over 125,000 people expected to attend, 2,000 exhibitors on hand and over 1,000 new products and technologies to be showcased, we’re looking forward to seeing how this event plays out.  With folks like Trimble showcasing their updated GPS technology to help contractors setup “connected worksites” to Komatsu revealing their 2nd generation hybrid excavator with a reported 25% fuel savings, there will be a lot to see including new product showcasings from various manufacturers throughout the show floor.

If you’d like to meet and talk with either Bill Sitter or Chris Sitter, feel free to send me an email (ben@jordansitter.com), and I’d be happy to setup an appointment.

I’m sure we’ll see plenty of familiar faces, as this isn’t our first rodeo. We’ve been attending CONEXPO for years. I hope everyone has a great time, and stay tuned as Bill & Chris Sitter will be joined at the show by Jerry Randecker and his wife Carol, owners of JSA, later this week!

Feb

10

Career Opportunity: Product Manager – Bucyrus International, Inc.

Posted by : Ben | On : February 10, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , , , , , , , ,

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bucyrus International, Inc headquarters are based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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About the company:

Bucyrus International, Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacture of high productivity mining equipment for surface and underground mining, with an addressable market of $30 Billion.

About the opportunity:

This Product Manager position will be based at their Milwaukee, WI headquarters. Reporting to the Vice President Product Line, Electric Mining Shovels, this is an opportunity to play a key role with a new product, from the R&D stage through product launch, promotion and market acceptance. The Product Manager will be responsible for: overall product definition, positioning, lead times, pricing, promotion, and profitability.

UPDATE: Since our client is eager to fill this position they have instructed our firm to not wait for the final approval process to be completed with respect to the buyout by Caterpillar. This Product Manager position will be responsible for newly developed shovel products having little overlap in product line between the Bucyrus and CAT and therefore we have been instructed to find the best possible candidates in the industry.

This position offers an attractive salary & bonus, a range of excellent benefits and relocation assistance to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Product Marketing experience: ideally 10 years
  • Knowledge of the mining industry (mining operations, shovel and truck operations, etc.)
  • Knowledge of heavy mining equipment – including electric and hydraulic mining shovels, mining trucks, and/or large wheel loaders
  • Bachelors degree in engineering or business required & Certified Project Management (PMP®) is a plus
  • Certified Project Management (PMP®) is a plus
  • Must be comfortable moving to/living near Milwaukee, Wisconsin area

Feb

10

Career Opportunity: Market Manager – Paladin Heavy Construction

Posted by : Ben | On : February 10, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , , , , , ,

THIS SEARCH IS CLOSED.

About the company:

Paladin is the primary manufacturer of an extensive array of attachments. Familiar product brands offered by Paladin Heavy Construction (PHC) include JRB, CP, and CustomWorks. All Paladin products are distributed through a national base of independent dealers, distributor, rental companies and OEMs. This position is located in Akron, OH and will be responsible for the global development and execution of marketing plans for all PHC markets.

About the opportunity:

The Market Manager position will be focused on the three Heavy Construction brands. A familiarity with all other areas of the company will also be required. All Paladin products are distributed through a national base of independent dealers, distributors, rental companies and via Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Reporting directly to the Director, Marketing and Business Development, this new position will assume global responsibilities for developing and directing the market plans for Paladin Heavy Construction (PHC) markets.  This position offers a Six-Figure salary, an attractive annual bonus, a range of excellent benefits and reasonable relocation assistance to the Akron, Ohio area.

Desired Qualifications:

  • BA or BS degree is required; Marketing or Engineering degree would be ideal, MBA preferred
  • Marketing Experience: experience working with/providing marketing support for field based sales team & for broad network of distributors
  • Field Sales Experience – Although this position will focus on marketing, prior experience in sales will be a plus.
  • Familiarity with PHC Products & Markets: prior exposure to construction equipment attachment products & applications will significantly shorten this mgrs learning curve
  • Experience developing exhibit plans & participating in trade shows
  • Budgeting, forecasting and data analysis: Experience in the development & monitoring of annual budgets

Feb

10

Career Opportunity: Western Region Manager – IronPlanet

Posted by : Ben | On : February 10, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , , , , , , , ,

THIS SEARCH IS CLOSED.

About the company:

IronPlanet is the world’s leading online auction company for used construction and agricultural equipment. Our sellers achieve more profitable sales through low transaction costs and better price realizations through a global audience of buyers. In 2009, Iron Planet documented growth of 34% with over half a million users around the globe.

About the opportunity:

The Western Region Manager (WRM) reports to the new Vice President of North America Sales for the US, Canada & Mexico, who previously served as WRM of IP. This manager will operate from an in-home office and will need to travel heavily to support the assigned field-based Sales Team, which includes 3 Area Sales Managers who each manage an average of 5 to 6 Territory Sales Managers. The geographical territory includes: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, MT, NE, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA and WY.

This position includes an attractive six-figure base salary, a performance-based bonus, and a range of excellent benefits.

Job Responsibilities:

  • To capitalize on available business opportunities, it is vitally important for the new WRM to quickly establish credibility with the Team and to get a feel for conditions and opportunities that exist in the region.
  • Initially and in an ongoing basis, this leader will need to evaluate personnel and provide appropriate training, and recruit new qualified team members to provide stability and growth.
  • During the first 6-12 months, the WRM must become very comfortable with all IP systems (his/her boss will be very helpful).

Desired Qualifications:

  • Strong sales management experience with a field-based sales team
  • Construction Equipment knowledge – Ideally including used equipment
  • Equipment Marketplace Awareness – specifically with new & used equipment in the US
  • Heavy Travel – 3 Nights out per week average
  • Bachelors degree preferred

Feb

09

Career Opportunity: Director of Product Support Marketing – H&E Equipment Services

Posted by : Ben | On : February 9, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

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H&E Equipment Services

This Director will reside in beautiful Baton Rouge, LA

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About the Company:

H&E Equipment Services, Inc, (the Company) was established in 1961 and has enjoyed incredible growth ever since. Now a publicly traded corporation on the NASDAQ (HEES), H&E has over 65 full service locations, representing a very large number of quality lines of construction equipment.  Product lines include: Doosan, Komatsu, Gehl, Manitowoc, New Holland Agriculture, Gomaco, National Crane, Skyjack, Moxy, Grove, Sullair and more.

The Company has been designated by Manitowoc Cranes as an “Encore” dealer approved for major crane rebuilds at 3 locations (TX, LA & AL). Manitowoc’s CONEXPO 2011 display will feature one of H&E’s major crane rebuilds. These major rebuilds on large crawler cranes entail well over a half million dollars and represent major potential product support revenue streams, while providing a major service to customers.

H&E has chosen SAP as the new ERP system and implementation was completed in 2010; with additional adjustments being completed now. By 2012 a complete “Mobile Solution” should be in place for all service functions. CONNECT is the CRM program available to assist PSSRs and equipment salesmen in their efforts to optimize territory coverage and revenue.

About the Opportunity:

The new Director of Product Support Marketing will be located in an office near the VP of Product Support, in H&E’s Baton Rouge, LA corporate headquarters. H&E has multiple regions, spanning coast to coast. This Director’s primary product support marketing focus will be in Regions 3 & 4 which includes LA, TX & AR and involves primary focus on Komatsu construction equipment, Manitowoc/Grove cranes and allied product lines.

The opportunities to work with the two Region VPs plus Branch Managers at approximately 20 facilities, and with approximately 15 PSSR’s to grow service and parts aftermarket sales is almost unlimited. Initially, this Director will not have direct reports and will work with and through the regional and branch structures to provide product support marketing programs and training to Product Support Sales Representatives (PSSRs).

Basic duties & responsibilities:

It is expected that this new Director will use the CONNECT CRM program, and other analytical tools, to help PSSRs optimize the potential of each territory in terms of: customer coverage, sales calls & close ratios. It will be important for this Director to demonstrate that new programs produce measurable results (not overnight) but for long-term.

This Director must be comfortable being out of his/her office: riding with PSSRs, training at branches and visiting customers – at least 60% of the time. Clearly, this is a role for a results oriented, proactive leader and not a staff oriented person who is most comfortable behind a computer. It is especially good news that the COO, the VP of Product Support and the Region 3 & 4 VPs are committed to profitably growing aftermarket service and parts sales.

He/she will be the “Champion” for this new product support marketing focus with a very large, successful & growing equipment dealer. This provides a unique opportunity to take personal “ownership” of a long-term initiative that will start in 2 Regions and may eventually be implemented coast to coast. This professional will be highly visible to the COO, all senior management, and to H&E’s OEM suppliers.

Desired qualifications:

  • Ethics, Accountability and Integrity must be of the highest caliber
  • Construction Equipment Product Support Marketing Background: Experience with major brands of construction equipment (Komatsu, Manitowoc, Grove, Cat, Deere, Volvo, Case, etc.) is ideal. Candidates should have gained at least some of their experience at a construction equipment dealership.
  • Ability to Develop and Professionally Present Creative Promotional Ideas
  • Experience conducting market analysis, including market segmentation, to optimize PSSR effectiveness.
  • Good Computer Skills: A comfortable user of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
  • Comfortable with Travel by Vehicle in the 60% Plus Range
  • Education – Minimum High School Diploma: H&E has several proven senior managers without college degrees. Although a 2 or 4-year degree will be beneficial, the primary focus will be on selecting a new Director who meets this spec’s qualifications and has proven successful at obtaining positive results.
  • Relocation: Candidate must be committed to expedite a prompt family move to the Baton Rouge, LA area
  • Positive Change Agent: Candidates should be able to provide examples where they have implemented change (or played a key influencing role) with positive outcomes; ideally involving a team scenario.

Jan

28

New Opportunity: Parts Marketing Manager

Posted by : Ben | On : January 28, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , , , , , , ,

About the Opportunity:

Jordan-Sitter Associates (JSA) has been exclusively retained to fill a Parts Marketing & Operations Manager role at a sizable and very respected manufacturer of heavy equipment – headquartered in the Eastern USA. This position is being created to execute company plans for significant growth and major efficiency improvements in the areas of parts management and parts marketing.  Accomplishing these objectives will further enhance product support to the company’s customers and dealers. To emphasize the importance of this role, this Manager will initially report directly to the President of the company.

This position carries out supervisory responsibilities in a cooperative and productive non-union environment. Parts inventory is in the $14 million range with annual parts sales in the $30 million range.

The compensation package for this role includes an attractive base salary, an incentive bonus opportunity, excellent benefits and relocation assistance.

Desired Qualifications (partial list):

  • Parts Operations Management Experience: Advanced knowledge of parts distribution & warehousing practices, principles & theories. Considerable experience with warranty policies & procedures, to include  ability to improve and/or create these for a sizable parts operation.
  • Parts Marketing Experience: Successful parts marketing campaigns/programs (ideally while working for a manufacturer of heavy equipment) & the specific roles they played in each.
  • Computer Skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project Management software. ERP experience for order processing, inventory control, manufacturing & cost calculations.
  • Ideally 10 years Management – Leadership Experience: Effective leadership of parts department and/or product support department where he/she led, influenced & motivated others to achieve
  • Technical Competence: Able to comprehend technical documents & specifications provided verbally, written form or diagrams or schedules. Proven capability to respond to common parts related inquiries (or complaints) from customers, dealers, & suppliers.
  • Education: BA or BS degree; Business, Marketing, Engineering or Material Management ideal. MBA a plus.
  • Solid Communication Skills: Verbal, written, listening and technical presentation skills must all be at the managerial level
  • Comfortable with business travel up to 30%: Mostly US, some international travel required

Interested?

If you feel qualified for this confidential role, please call us at our San Antonio office: (210) 651-5561 and we can further discuss this opportunity. Also, you are welcome to confidentially email your resume to jerry AT jordansitter DOT com . If we both agree that it makes sense for you to pursue this opportunity further, we can e-mail you the full length position description for this role.

Jan

26

JSA Team Prepares for AED Summit

Posted by : Ben | On : January 26, 2011

Category: Events, JSA News

Tags:, , , ,

AED Summit JSA Associates; Jerry Randecker & Chris Sitter, are preparing to leave for this year’s AED Summit in Orlando, FL. The convention goes from today through Friday and includes the Condex  tradeshow & hosts a slew of speakers including Tony Blankley, Alan Beaulieu and Mike Marks. With plenty of networking, meetings and discussions going on, we’re sure the state of the economy and where it’s going will be on a lot of people’s minds. It will be interesting to hear what the forecaster’s say about our industry and to see how it will all play out. From JSA’s perspective, the outlook is much brighter than it has been for the last two years.

We look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting some new ones. If you would like to setup some time to meet with Jerry or Chris at the Summit, feel free to reach them via email: jerry@jordansitter.com and chris@jordansitter.com, respectively. See ya there!

Jan

17

Career Opportunity: Structural Engineering Manager – LeTourneau Technologies

Posted by : Ben | On : January 17, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , , , , ,

LeTourneau Technologies

LeTourneau Technologies is located in Longview, TX

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About the company:

LeTourneau Technologies, Inc. (LTI) is a global group of best-in-class organizations specializing in the design, manufacture, implementation, and effective use of advanced technologies for mining, forestry, onshore and offshore oil and gas drilling and steel markets. Although LeTourneau has evolved significantly throughout the past, the company’s core values, customer focus and dedication to leadership through innovation have not changed. Altogether, LeTourneau stands for innovation, commitment, product performance and customer focus.

About the opportunity:

LeTourneau Technologies is seeking a Structural Engineering Manager with a minimum of 10 years experience analyzing and designing large welded structures. The right person will enjoy providing “hands on” engineering support for existing designs and products. New product development will also be an integral part of daily activities. Direct reports include 2-3 Draftsmen and an Engineering Technologist, all of whom are already in place. New product development projects are underway and require the support of a full-time Structural Engineering Manager. Outside engineering firms have been utilized to this point on a project basis. The new Manager will need to quickly get “up-to-speed” on these projects and assume some of the workload requirements. Managing the projects that will continue to be supported by outside firms is also required. Other ongoing projects to support existing products will require attention to re-test or upgrade components.

This position reports to the General Manager, Mining Products Engineering with a competitive compensation package (salary & bonus), a range of excellent benefits and relocation assistance.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Mobile Heavy Equipment Engineering Experience: 10+ years of design and analysis experience for a manufacturer of large mining vehicles, large mobile construction equipment, or other related large mobile equipment
  • Bachelors Degree in Engineering: a BSME or Bachelors in Structural Engineering is required
  • Experience in welded structures and structural design techniques is required
  • Experience with FEA (finite element analysis) and structural analysis required: i.e. ANSYS, NASTRAN and other related tools acceptable
  • 3D CAD Experience & Comfort with MS Office Programs required
  • Engineering Project Management Experience required
  • Hands-on Engineering & Passion for Designing Innovative Products required: LeTourneau seeks an Engineer who truly enjoys personally designing heavy mobile equipment and personally performing the analysis on the components that they and other members of their team have designed
  • People Management Experience required: successful experience leading other engineers, designers and drafters is required

Jan

14

Career Opportunity: National Sales Manager (Consultative Sales) – Colorbiotics

Posted by : Ben | On : January 14, 2011

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , ,

National Sales Manager for Colorbiotics

Colorbiotics headquarters is based in Ames, Iowa

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About the company:

Colorbiotics is an industry leader in the research, development, production, sale and support of colorants and coloring systems for a variety of applications. If you have recently added colored landscape mulch to your flower beds, the color was most likely supplied by Colorbiotics. Today their primary market focus is adding color to landscape materials such as mulch, rock, sand and rubber materials. A strong commitment to R&D coupled with an industry unique commitment to customer service is what elevates Colorbiotics above their competition.

About the opportunity:

This National Sales Manager will be based at their Ames, Iowa headquarters. Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Sales, this position calls for a very proactive sales leader who enjoys motivating and developing a field-based sales force made up of a group of Territory Managers covering North America. This person is expected to quickly assume the sales leadership role allowing the Director of Marketing & Sales to spend more time and energy on growth opportunities. This position offers an attractive salary & bonus, a range of excellent benefits and reasonable relocation assistance to the Ames, Iowa area.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

This National Sales Manager will be responsible for coaching & motivating a group of Territory Managers covering North America. Today there are eight individual territories and each position is filled with a seasoned sales veteran. As business opportunities expand recruiting, training and retaining high quality sales personnel will be required to maintain the desire Market presence. Achieving targeted goals will require “riding with the Territory Manager” 3 out of 4 weeks each month as their coach and supporter, not just as the “deal closer”.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Training & experience with behavioral based selling
  • Bachelors Degree: in Business, Agriculture, Marketing, Sales or a related field is required
  • Sales management experience
  • Strong ability to manage & develop people
  • Comfortable with business travel, roughly 75%
  • Must be comfortable moving to/living near Ames, Iowa

Jan

03

Happy New Year!

Posted by : Ben | On : January 3, 2011

Category: Editorials, Recruiting & Hiring

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job seekersWell, it’s back to the daily grind for most of us. I hope everyone who was blessed with a little time off, enjoyed their holiday and are ready to start the new year off on the right foot!

For those of you who might still be on the hunt for a new job, or are casually staying abreast of career opportunities, here is a good article to get you started, titled: New Year’s Resolutions for Job Seekers I wish everyone good success in their current careers and to those looking, feel free to contact me (ben AT jordansitter DOT com) for other great tips and ideas!

Dec

14

Don’t Let a Champion Get Away

Posted by : Ben | On : December 14, 2010

Category: Editorials, Management, Recruiting & Hiring

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In order to soar in your market, recruit people whose remarkable strengths far exceed any minor lacking skills.

Recently I had occasion to review a 1992 paperback classic, “Soar With Your Strengths” by Clifton & Nelson. The premise is that successful teams and companies should be willing to draft, recruit, hire or promote ladies and gentlemen who have extraordinary talents and proven skills; then it’s essential that senior leadership makes certain these strengths are used to the max.

Now, let’s relate the soaring with strengths concept to the real world challenges faced by AED dealers and their supplier partners.

I like the remarks made by the Chinese ping-pong team coach after his team dominated the 1984 Olympics. “We practice eight hours a day perfecting our strengths… if you develop your strengths to the maximum, the strength becomes so great it overwhelms the weaknesses. Our winning player (best in the world) you see, plays only his forehand. Even though he cannot play backhand, and his competitor knows he cannot play backhand, his forehand is so invincible that it cannot be beaten.”

The point is to focus on, nourish and reward personal strengths and place especially gifted champions in positions where their weaknesses (yes they’ll have some) can be managed or delegated for the success of the company and the person, resulting in a clear win-win. Certainly, every GM or CEO relishes the notion of having superstar impact players in all key roles. However, in lean times most supervisors and managers must be multitalented and capable of wearing many hats so the enterprise can survive. And no GM wants to settle for mediocre middle managers, but perhaps he or she can afford one or two people with extraordinary skills in one area, say selling, even if they have obvious shortcomings, like report writing or detail documentation.

Many will recall the comic graphic of an “OSHA Cowboy.” He and his horse were so laden with safety devices that he was incapable of riding and roping. Likewise, hiring authorities can easily go overboard by designing a list of hiring criteria that looks quite impressive on paper but contains some relatively unimportant requirements that may eliminate the highly talented person your distributorship badly needs.

Sift Talent from Trivia

For 30 years our executive search firm has helped distributor and manufacturer clients develop detailed position specifications. These are key because they establish the hiring process bull’s-eye and foundation for every search. However, we often see “nice but really not relevant” requirements. For example, many CEOs lack college degrees; so is it logical to eliminate potential service or parts manager candidates who lack the sheepskin credential? Is it wise to eliminate “water-walking” sales applicants because they dislike report writing? Finally, does it make sense to insist that a new product support vice president has a past history as a mechanic and can disassemble a transmission or torque converter? (Especially since today’s product support executives must be strong in general management areas including: parts and service marketing, business savvy, people skills, problem solving, motivation, P&L management, and communications.)

Finally, we offer these tips to help your dealership soar with the strengths of your associates:

  • Assess your organization chart to determine if you can make good use of one or two special performers, whose uncommon strengths and talents would make your business more successful.
  • Develop realistic position specs that eliminate requirements for nice but non-essentials to avoid turning off potential impact players. (E-mail us for a complimentary position spec template.)
  • Selectively recruit the “eagles.” Make sure you and the new hires address their weaknesses and have a plan to provide support so he/she can focus heavily on their (“forehand”) strengths.
  • Provide a culture that encourages people to make their strengths even stronger.
  • Provide training to overcome glaring shortcomings while taking care to prevent him or her from losing heart.
  • Encourage your people to soar with their God-given strengths and enjoy the journey.

Nov

19

Career Opportunity: President – Bush Hog, Inc.

Posted by : Ben | On : November 19, 2010

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , ,

THIS SEARCH IS CLOSED.

About the company:

Bush Hog, Inc., a member of the Alamo Group family of companies, is the leading North American manufacturer of rotary cutters, finishing mowers, landscape tools, and tractor-mounted implements used in the agricultural market. Located in Selma, Alabama for 60 years, Bush Hog’s products have earned an enviable reputation for their ruggedness and durability in the most challenging work environments. For 15 years Alamo Group has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange; the symbol is ALG.

About the opportunity:

This President will provide executive P&L leadership and management of a $100 million dollar operating plant of a publicly traded corporation. This person will be responsible for the management of Manufacturing, Engineering, Sourcing, HR, Finance, and Sales and Marketing of the market leader in their field. This President will report to the Executive VP of Alamo Group’s Ag Division who has led a major turnaround, as acting President, since the purchase of Bush Hog. Now, with the plant reorganized and the company profitable, it is the ideal time for a new leader to take the reins. There is a competitive salary plus an attractive performance based bonus opportunity, a comprehensive benefit package and relocation assistance.

Desired Qualifications:

  • 10+ Years of Operations Experience at the plant or divisional level, preferably within companies that manufacture an engineered product; i.e. equipment used in construction, agriculture, material handling, mining & utility applications
  • Previous P&L Responsibility of a $25 million plant (or larger) with full budgeting and business development responsibility, Experience managing all aspects of business unit including operations, engineering, procurement, finance, HR, & Sales/Marketing
  • Strong Manufacturing and Sourcing Experience with proven track record of improving manufacturing processes & reductions in cost
  • Ability to Drive Lean Concepts within manufacturing and logistics
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Management required, MBA highly desired
  • Working knowledge of modern ERP systems (JDE One World experience a plus)
  • Relocation: This President must be willing to make a prompt family move to the Selma, Alabama area

Nov

12

Career Opportunity: Technical Publications & Service Training Manager – LiuGong

Posted by : Ben | On : November 12, 2010

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liuzhou, China

Liuzhou, with a rich history spanning over 2 millennia, is the home of LiuGong's headquarters in China.

About the company:

LiuGong, the largest manufacturer of wheel loaders in the world, is a 50-year old corporation based in Liuzhou, China, with an annual sales volume of approximately $2 billion dollars. Having built CAT branded wheel loaders for 8 years, for sale in China, LiuGong also manufacturers various other types of construction equipment.  With their North American headquarters based in Katy, Texas, the following product lines are sold and supported via a growing independent dealer network: wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, motor graders and rollers.  In addition to the products currently sold in North America, LiuGong designs and builds: dozers, cranes, asphalt pavers, cold planers and forklifts.

About the opportunity:

The Technical Publications and Service Training Manager will have the primary mission of developing a full library of technical publications, in English, to support LiuGong construction equipment products which are marketed Globally. As part of this product support initiative he/she will develop a service training operation for dealers, customers and LiuGong product support specialists. The NA base will be in Katy (Houston), Texas. However, as all products are designed and manufactured at various LiuGong facilities, in China, this Manager will need to spend approximately 50% of the time in China, including stays of two to three months at a time. This new role will report directly to a highly respected and bi-lingual Director of Aftermarket, based in Liuzhou, China. There is a competitive compensation package, very good benefits and relocation assistance. This role does involve international travel but bi-lingual skills are not required.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Ideally 10 years Technical Publications Experience, with a manufacturer of construction equipment
  • Bachelors Degree Required: engineering or technical degree would be ideal
  • Excellent English Language Skills, including technical writing
  • Living in Katy (Houston area), Texas or living in Liuzhou, China; (A) Living in the Katy, Texas area which will require spending approximately 50% of his/her time in China, with stays of 2 to 3 months at a time; or (B) Living in China and traveling to Texas as needed

How to Apply:

We invite you to review the FULL detailed position description for this Technical Publications & Service Training Manager opportunity at LiuGong, which is available at the link below. Our Two-Step application process is outlined on the last page of this position description:

Please click here: http://bit.ly/boeI7K

Nov

10

Career Opportunity: Control System Engineer – Frontier Wind

Posted by : Ben | On : November 10, 2010

Category: JSA News, Recruiting & Hiring

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Control System Engineer - Frontier Wind

About the company:

Frontier Wind is a leader in renewable technologies. Frontier Wind is a well-funded developer of advanced rotor technologies for utility grade wind turbines. The senior engineering members are among the most respected and talented in their fields, and the executive management has built and grown businesses worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

About the Culture:

Frontier Wind is a technology driven company with an exciting, patented technology and an entrepreneurial spirit. The Sacramento area Engineering Center is staffed by an expanding team of extremely intelligent, focused Engineers (many of them with Masters and PhD’s) who each have their key areas of expertise and contribution for the company’s cutting edge “Gustbuster” technology, an active load control project that is gaining increasing acceptance with some of the largest wind turbine manufacturers in the world.

About the opportunity:

The Control System Engineer will develop cutting edge wind turbine aerodynamic control solutions including model predictive control supported with a technical roadmap. Control System tuning will be performed with modern control techniques including genetic algorithms, Taguchi method, etc. Optimal software platforms will be selected for controller implementation and then control software documentation must be completed and configuration controls maintained. This engineer will be based at Frontier Wind’s Sacramento area Engineering Center, in Rocklin, California – which has been billed as one of the nicest areas to live in all of California.

This Engineer will enjoy a competitive base salary, an incentive bonus opportunity, a range of excellent benefits and a relocation assistance package, to help our winning candidate and his/her  family make a smooth transition to the Greater Sacramento, California area.

Desired Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree required. BSME is preferred. An Aerodynamic or Electrical degree acceptable.  A relevant Masters degree would be considered a plus – not required.
    • 5-10 years engineering controls experience – required
    • Wind Turbine Industry Experience – Required
    • Experience in Motion Control and/or Vibration Control and/or Aerodynamic Control – required
    • Controls programming experience – required: C is preferred; FORTRAN, C++, Simulink or Labview is acceptable
    • MATLAB experience – required, SIMULINK is a plus
    • Experience in Software Test – required
    • Classical & Modern control technique experience; PID, Kalman, Root-locus
    • Must be able to promptly relocate to Sacramento, California

      How to Apply:

      We invite you to review the FULL detailed position description for this Control System Engineer opportunity at Frontier Wind, which is available at the link below. Our Two-Step application process is outlined on the last page of this position description:

      Please click here: http://bit.ly/a63s2z