Founding Head of Sales

The Founding Head of Sales at Reducto has a multifaceted role that includes initial direct sales, development of the sales playbook, and refining our go-to-market strategy. This position involves shaping the revenue organization by hiring, training, and managing a sales team, while also collaborating closely with the founders to align sales strategies with product development.

Candidates for the Founding Head of Sales at Reducto should have a robust track record in enterprise B2B SaaS sales, particularly with technical products or AI/ML solutions. Key qualifications include experience building a revenue organization to generate tens of millions in ARR, alongside strong strategic thinking and the ability to lead and inspire a sales team.

Reducto values candidates who have demonstrated success in exceeding sales targets within enterprise sales environments, particularly those with a background in AI/ML or complex technical solutions. Experience in building high-performance sales organizations and a network of enterprise relationships are bonuses that could be advantageous in this role.

The work culture at Reducto fosters innovation, collaboration, and high performance. As a Founding Head of Sales, you’ll play a key role in shaping this culture, emphasizing agility and results-driven work in a startup environment. We encourage a player-coach mentality where hands-on leadership and team building go hand in hand.

In the first three months, the Founding Head of Sales at Reducto will focus on closing deals, refining sales strategies, and developing a foundational playbook. Direct engagement with customers will be critical to understand their needs efficiently, which will set the stage for building a high-functioning sales team as the role progresses.

To build a sales team from scratch, I would focus on defining the core attributes and skills we need in team members, actively sourcing candidates with proven records in similar environments. I would implement a structured onboarding process, combining training on our products with mentorship to foster a cohesive team culture.

I would start by conducting comprehensive market analysis to identify segments with the highest potential for growth, ensuring the strategy aligns with Reducto’s product offerings and customer needs. Collaborating with marketing and product teams for a unified approach would be key, along with utilizing customer feedback for ongoing refinement.

Certainly! At my last company, we set ambitious quarterly goals that I met by implementing targeted outreach strategies and leveraging data to prioritize high-value prospects. We increased our closing rate significantly, contributing to a record-breaking quarter in revenue and solidifying my commitment to data-driven sales tactics.

I believe in leading by example and creating a supportive environment where team members feel valued. Providing continuous feedback, recognizing achievements, and fostering open communication help keep motivation high. I also ensure goal alignment and empower salespeople to take ownership of their successes.

In such cases, I would first have a one-on-one conversation to understand potential challenges they might be facing, whether personal or professional. Together, we would develop a performance improvement plan, offering coaching and resources, while setting achievable, incremental goals to regain their confidence and productivity.

It’s crucial for the Founding Head of Sales to grasp the nuanced technical aspects of AI and ML, as this understanding allows us to connect effectively with both technical stakeholders and decision-makers. This technical fluency enables us to convey our value proposition clearly and to address any concerns with confidence.

I see customer feedback as invaluable. I would implement systematic feedback loops through surveys and direct conversations after key interactions. Analyzing this data will help us adjust our sales approach, refine our value propositions, and anticipate market needs more effectively.

I have extensive experience with sales forecasting through historical data analysis and market trends. I utilize CRM systems to maintain visibility of the sales pipeline, allowing me to make informed decisions, manage expectations, and strategically allocate resources to high-yield prospects.

Competitive positioning is a cornerstone of my sales strategy; understanding our unique value proposition in relation to the competition allows us to articulate why clients should choose us. I continually evaluate our positioning, using market insights to adjust and enhance our offerings as needed.

I see my role extending beyond sales; I aim to cultivate an inclusive, high-energy culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and shared success. By modeling these values and integrating them into our sales team's processes, I hope to foster a strong community within the company as we grow.