Sales & Operations Manager - Sharpening Shop Saint-Etienne

Are you an entrepreneurial commercial leader with strong technical expertise in metalworking and cutting tools? Our client, Kinkelder France, is looking for an ambitious Sales & Operations Manager to take complete ownership of their Saint-Etienne Sharpening Shop as its primary business unit driver.

About the role

In this high-impact, high-visibility role you will operate as the owner of the sharpening shop, taking full responsibility for its commercial success, profitability, customer satisfaction and long-term growth. This role requires identifying market opportunities, developing new business, strengthening customer relationships and continuously improving the service offering. Success depends on taking initiative, making sound business decisions and proactively driving results rather than simply managing day-to-day activities.

The role has a strong focus on sales, customer relationships and technical advice. The successful candidate will be the main commercial and technical contact for customers using Kinkelder's grinding and sharpening services. The position is responsible for the performance of the Sharpening Shop P&L. You will report to the Managing Director France, who is responsible for the sales team in France. The daily operational planning and coordination of the workshop is handled by the Agency Manager, who reports to you. This allows the Sales & Operations Manager to focus primarily on sales growth, customer development, technical consulting and business performance.

About our client

Kinkelder is a leading international manufacturer of industrial circular saw blades for high-performance metal applications. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the parent company operates production facilities and sales subsidiaries across the globe, including the US, UK, Germany, China and the Czech Republic, exporting to over 80 countries. By combining cutting-edge HSS, TCT and segmental saw blade technology, they provide tailored solutions to world-class customers in the automotive, oil & gas, mechanical engineering and construction industries.

Key responsibilities

• Sales & customer development: develop sales of grinding and sharpening services in France; manage and grow relationships with existing grinding and sharpening customers; identify and acquire new customers for the Sharpening Shop; visit customers to understand their production processes, tooling needs and service requirements; negotiate commercial conditions and follow up on business opportunities; and achieve sales, margin and profitability targets for the Grinding & Sharpening Shop.
• Technical customer consulting: advise customers on grinding, sharpening, reconditioning and tool maintenance; recommend solutions to improve cutting performance, tool life, productivity and process reliability; act as the technical sparring partner for customers regarding cutting tools and applications; and translate customer requirements into clear technical and service specifications for the workshop.
• P&L responsibility for the Sharpening Shop: take responsibility for the overall performance of the Sharpening Shop; monitor sales, profitability, service quality, customer satisfaction, operational cost and business development; steer the business in close cooperation with the Agency Manager; report performance, opportunities and improvement actions to the Managing Director France; and ensure alignment with the wider Kinkelder France organization and sales team.
• Internal coordination: work closely with the Agency Manager, who manages the daily workshop planning and operational follow-up; coordinate with the wider French sales team where grinding and sharpening opportunities are identified; and ensure customer promises are realistic, clearly communicated and properly followed up internally.

Your profile

• Technical education or equivalent experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, machining or cutting tools.
• Proven experience in technical B2B sales.
• Experience with cutting tools, grinding, sharpening, machining or metalworking is required.
• Experience managing a service activity, workshop or business unit is an advantage.
• Fluent in French and a good command of English.
• Willing to be on the road and travel to customers.
• Strong sales drive with a technical and consultative approach.
• Able to build trust with customers on both commercial and technical topics.
• Good understanding of cutting tools, machining processes and tool reconditioning.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ownership of business results.
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Able to work closely with operational colleagues and the wider French sales team.
• Hands-on, customer-focused and results-oriented.

What they offer

• Competitive base salary with an attractive variable bonus scheme.
• Company car, available for professional and personal use.
• Comprehensive company health insurance (Mutuelle).
• The opportunity to run a high-performing technical business unit with full authority over its success, commercial strategy and P&L.
• The opportunity to spearhead and develop the French market within an internationally oriented, market-leading company.
• Training at their headquarters in the Netherlands.

Interested or have questions?

Apply directly through the form on this page, or reach out to Darcie at darciehudson@goaheadhire.com or call +31 6 57049518. Every applicant hears back from a consultant personally.