Sales Director

Join us in shaping the future of maritime electrification.

ZEM is a Norwegian technology company developing and delivering advanced electric and hybrid propulsion solutions for the maritime industry. Combining deep expertise in battery technology and system integration with the industrial strength of Volvo Penta as majority owner, we are helping accelerate the transition towards more sustainable maritime operations.
As we enter our next phase of growth, we are looking for a commercially driven and strategically minded Sales Director to strengthen our market position, expand our customer base, and identify new business opportunities across the maritime sector and related industries.
This is a unique opportunity to join the executive management team and play a key role in shaping the commercial future of a company with proven technology, strong owners, and ambitious growth plans.

Key Responsibilities

Market Development and Relationship Building

• Build and develop relationships with shipowners, shipyards, ship designers, OEMs and other key industry stakeholders.

• Open new customer accounts and expand ZEM's presence in existing and emerging market segments.

• Represent ZEM at customer locations, industry events, conferences and trade fairs.

• Strengthen and expand the company's network across priority markets and geographies.

• Further develop existing customer relationships together with technical and service teams, including upselling, aftermarket opportunities and new projects.

• Own and develop the commercial relationship with Volvo Penta and support joint market development initiatives.

Business Opportunity Development

• Identify future projects, investment plans and market opportunities at an early stage.

• Understand customer needs, decision-making processes and commercial drivers.

• Qualify opportunities and build a strong pipeline of future business.

• Lead tender and contract processes for own customers and opportunities transferred from business development activities.

• Ensure effective handover and collaboration across internal stakeholders.

• Commercial Strategy and Market Positioning

• Contribute to the development of ZEMs commercial strategy, value proposition and market positioning.

• Provide market intelligence and customer insight to support strategic decision-making.

• Monitor market developments, regulatory changes and competitive activity.

• Act as a trusted market voice within the executive management team.

Leadership

• Lead and develop the Business and Sales Development Engineer.

• Contribute actively as a member of the management team.

• Help shape market priorities, commercial processes and growth initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience from commercial leadership, sales or business development roles within the maritime sector, offshore industry or related heavy industry.

• A strong and relevant network among Norwegian shipowners, shipyards, OEMs or other key maritime stakeholders.

• Proven track record of opening new customer relationships and securing business in complex B2B environments.

• Experience managing long sales cycles and cultivating strategic customer relationships over time.

• Ability to engage credibly in discussions related to electrification, propulsion systems, battery technology or maritime operations.

• Excellent communication skills in both Norwegian and English.

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently, approximately 40–60% of working time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, maritime studies, business or a related discipline.

• Experience with maritime electrification, hybrid propulsion, energy storage or maritime system integration.

• International business development and sales experience.

• An established network beyond Norway within the maritime and offshore industries.

• Experience influencing technology selection, specifications and project requirements during the early phases of customer projects.

Who we believe you are

• You are commercially driven, curious and highly relationship-oriented.

• You thrive in customer-facing environments and are comfortable navigating between boardrooms, shipyards, project teams and industry events.

• You combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach and are motivated by creating opportunities where none previously existed. You are patient enough to build trust over time, yet proactive enough to create momentum and drive measurable progress.

• Most importantly, you enjoy opening doors, understanding customer challenges, and turning long-term relationships into sustainable business growth.

What we offer

• A key leadership position in a company at the forefront of maritime electrification.

• Membership of the executive management team with direct influence on strategy, market priorities and business growth.

• The opportunity to help shape new markets and create long-term commercial value.

• Proven technology, strong technical expertise and industrial backing from Volvo Penta.

• Close collaboration with experienced leaders, engineers and industry specialists.

• A high degree of autonomy and ownership.

• The opportunity to contribute directly to reducing emissions and accelerating the green transition in the maritime sector.

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

If you are excited by the opportunity to build markets, develop strategic customer relationships and help shape the future of sustainable maritime technology, we would love to hear from you.

We review applications on an ongoing basis and encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.

Kontaktinformasjon

Jonathan Sørbye, CEO, 90675809
Guro Rognerud Gaarder, Recruiter, 93441660, guro.gaarder@buhr.no

Arbeidssted

Veritasveien 20
1363 HØVIK

Nøkkelinformasjon:

Arbeidsgiver: ZEM AS

Referansenr.: 5209527562
Stillingsprosent: 100%
Permanent position
Søknadsfrist: 27.11.2026