Country Sales Manager - Data Centers - China

JOB DESCRIPTION – STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

Title: Country Sales Manager – Data Centers – China / 中国区销售经理 – 数据中心

Location: Remote or Home-based within China

Business Line: Sales / Data Centers / Fire Protection / Fire Detection / Fire Suppression

Reports To:General Manager, China / Regional Sales Director

External Clients: Data Centre Developers, EPC Contractors, Consultants, Design Institutes, General Contractors, MEP Contractors, Fire Protection Contractors, System Integrators and End Users

Job Purpose

The Country Sales Manager – Data Centers is responsible for developing and executing the company's growth strategy within the rapidly expanding Chinese data center market. The successful candidate will drive sales of the complete portfolio of fire protection solutions, including nitrogen (N) fire suppression systems, pre-action sprinkler systems, fire detection systems, releasing control panels, pressure switches, waterflow switches and other special hazard fire protection technologies.

This is a strategic business development role focused on identifying, influencing and securing major hyperscale, colocation and enterprise data center projects across China. The successful candidate will engage with consultants, design institutes, EPC contractors, developers, MEP consultants, fire protection contractors and end users throughout the entire project lifecycle—from concept design and specification through to installation and commissioning.

Working closely with regional leadership, technical support, engineering and marketing teams, the Country Sales Manager will build presence within the data center sector by developing strong customer relationships, increasing specification activity and securing long-term project opportunities.

The successful candidate will possess an excellent understanding of China's data center ecosystem, including the key market participants responsible for designing, constructing and operating mission-critical facilities.

A highly competitive remuneration package, including a performance-related bonus and comprehensive benefits, will be offered. Base salary will be commensurate with experience, technical expertise and industry network.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a national sales strategy for the Data Centre market across China.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities with hyperscale, colocation and enterprise data center operators.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with consultants, EPC contractors, design institutes, MEP consultants, fire engineers and general contractors involved in data center construction.
• Promote the portfolio of fire protection products, including:
• Nitrogen (N) fire suppression systems
• Pre-action sprinkler systems
• Dry pipe sprinkler systems
• Fire detection systems
• Releasing control systems
• Pressure switches
• Waterflow switches
• Other special hazard fire protection solutions
• Drive product specification with consulting engineers and project designers during the early stages of major projects.
• Influence technical specifications to maximize inclusion of products within tender documents.
• Develop strategic relationships with major developers, consultants and EPC organizations responsible for China's largest data center developments.
• Manage major project opportunities from initial identification through quotation, negotiation, contract award and project completion.
• Support distributors and channel partners involved in the data center market.
• Deliver technical and commercial presentations to consultants, contractors and end users.
• Work closely with technical and engineering teams to develop application-specific fire protection solutions.
• Maintain accurate project pipelines, forecasts and customer activity using Salesforce CRM.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, emerging technologies and customer requirements within the mission-critical infrastructure sector.
• Represent at industry conferences, exhibitions and technical seminars relating to data centers and mission-critical facilities.
• Achieve agreed annual sales, profitability and strategic growth objectives.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of the Chinese data center industry and its key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of data center design, construction and mission-critical infrastructure.
• Established network among:
• Data center developers
• EPC contractors
• General contractors
• MEP contractors
• Consulting engineers
• Fire engineering consultants
• Design institutes
• Data center operators
• Strong understanding of fire protection systems used within mission-critical environments.
• Knowledge of nitrogen (N) fire suppression systems, pre-action sprinkler systems and clean agent suppression technologies would be highly advantageous.
• Experience influencing project specifications and securing major infrastructure projects.
• Excellent consultative selling and relationship management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify, develop and close complex project opportunities.
• Outstanding presentation, negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong planning, forecasting and pipeline management capability.
• Ability to work independently whilst managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Experience using CRM systems such as Salesforce.
• Fluent Mandarin is essential.
• Good written and spoken English is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel extensively throughout China.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years' experience in technical B2B sales within one or more of the following sectors:
• Fire protection
• Fire detection
• Mission-critical infrastructure
• Data centers
• Mechanical or electrical building services
• Industrial automation
• Critical infrastructure
• Demonstrated success developing business with consultants, contractors and EPC organizations.
• Proven track record winning specification-driven, long-cycle capital projects.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Fire Engineering, Business or related discipline.
• Experience selling into the Chinese construction or mission-critical infrastructure sectors.
• Strong understanding of project sales methodology.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM platforms.

We Would Particularly Welcome Candidates From:

• Fire protection manufacturers
• Fire suppression system manufacturers
• Fire detection manufacturers
• Data center infrastructure companies
• Critical power providers
• Mission-critical MEP solution providers

Originally posted on Himalayas