Application Guide
How to Apply for Sr. Dir., Sales, WSS, Heavy, N. America
at Xylem
🏢 About Xylem
Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions leader with 23,000 employees in over 150 countries, dedicated to solving the world's most critical water challenges through innovative and sustainable technologies. Working here means joining a mission-driven organization where you can directly contribute to water conservation, reuse, and sustainability while advancing your career in a high-impact industry.
About This Role
As Senior Director of Sales for WSS Heavy Industry in North America, you will own the commercial strategy and P&L for Xylem's heavy industrial business, leading a large organization of regional sales directors, managers, outside and inside sales reps, aftermarket sales, business development, and vertical market leaders. You'll drive revenue, bookings, margin, and customer growth across power, chemical, mining, oil & gas, manufacturing, and industrial water applications, positioning Xylem as the trusted partner for industrial water solutions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve meeting with regional sales directors to review pipeline and forecast, strategizing with vertical market leaders on key accounts, and engaging with customers to understand their water challenges. You'll also collaborate with product and marketing teams to align solutions, analyze market data to refine strategies, and coach your team to drive performance and customer satisfaction.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Xylem Is Looking For
- 10+ years of progressive sales leadership experience in industrial water, heavy industry, or related capital equipment sectors, with a proven track record of managing multi-layered sales teams and delivering profitable growth.
- Deep understanding of heavy industry markets (power, chemical, mining, oil & gas, manufacturing) and the ability to develop vertical market strategies that address complex industrial water challenges.
- Strong financial acumen with experience owning P&L, forecasting, pricing, and margin improvement, and the ability to translate customer needs into innovative solutions.
- Exceptional leadership skills to inspire, coach, and scale a high-performing, remote sales organization across North America, with a passion for sustainability and water solutions.
📝 Tips for Applying to Xylem
Quantify your sales leadership impact: highlight specific revenue, margin, and growth numbers you've achieved in heavy industry or industrial water sectors, and show how you've scaled teams.
Emphasize experience with industrial water applications and vertical markets (power, chemical, mining, oil & gas) to align with Xylem's WSS Heavy Industry focus.
Showcase your ability to lead remote, multi-layered sales organizations, including regional directors, aftermarket sales, and business development teams.
Demonstrate familiarity with Xylem's product portfolio or similar water technology solutions, and articulate how you would position them against competitors.
Align your personal mission with Xylem's sustainability goals—mention specific examples of how you've driven both profit and environmental impact.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your proven track record in driving profitable growth in heavy industry sales, with metrics that show revenue, bookings, and margin improvements.', 'Your experience leading complex sales organizations across North America, including remote teams and cross-functional collaboration.', "Your strategic vision for expanding Xylem's presence in key verticals like power, chemical, and mining, and how you would leverage Xylem's innovative water solutions.", "Your passion for sustainability and how you've integrated environmental impact into commercial strategies."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Xylem's recent acquisitions, product launches, and strategic initiatives in heavy industry and industrial water treatment.
- → The competitive landscape in industrial water solutions, including key players like Pentair, Danaher, and Veolia, and Xylem's differentiators.
- → Xylem's sustainability goals and how the WSS Heavy Industry business contributes to them, including any public commitments or reports.
- → The organizational structure of Xylem's sales teams and how the WSS Heavy Industry division fits into the broader company.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on general sales leadership without demonstrating specific expertise in industrial water or heavy industry markets.
- Failing to provide quantifiable results—vague claims of 'increased sales' without numbers or context.
- Neglecting to show how you would lead a remote, multi-layered sales organization and drive collaboration across regions and functions.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!