Variable Operations Director Jobs in Houston, TX

IMI plc

We are a global specialist engineering company that creates breakthrough solutions. We are curious and like to solve problems, partnering with our customers to solve the demands of today and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. We embrace innovation and care about outcomes that are good for business, everyday life and making a better world – creating lasting impact for everyone.

We design, build and service highly engineered products in fluid and motion control applications. We focus on five market sectors: Industrial Automation, Process Automation, Climate Control, Life Science, and Transport.

Our partnership approach breaks through problems and reduces complexity. We don’t invent in isolation – we collaborate with our customers. We listen closely and we think differently, creating space for diverse minds to innovate. We are working together to make businesses safer, more sustainable and more productive.

Role Overview:

The Sales Director – Gas & Petrochemical for North America is a senior commercial leadership role responsible for driving profitable growth, market expansion, and commercial excellence across the region. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, ensuring strong alignment between the global Gas & Petrochemical strategy and regional market dynamics.

This position is critical to strengthening IMI Process Automation’s presence with key end users, EPCs, and OEMs across the North American Gas & Petrochemical value chain, covering both New Build projects and Aftermarket. The role focuses on accelerating revenue growth, increasing market penetration, and building long-term strategic partnerships in a highly competitive and technically complex environment.

The ideal candidate is an experienced commercial leader with deep knowledge of the Gas & Petrochemical industry, a strong customer network in North America, and proven capability to operate in a matrixed, international organization.

Work Environment:

Remote work + Travel of around 65%+ across customer sites and IMI PA locations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and execute the regional commercial and growth strategy for Gas & Petrochem in North America, in alignment with global objectives.
• Lead and develop sales and business development activities across New Builds and Aftermarket, ensuring balanced and sustainable growth.
• Drive project pursuit and bid strategies in close collaboration with regional and global sales teams.
• Establish and lead a structured Key Account Management (KAM) approach, building senior-level relationships with key end users, EPCs, and strategic partners.
• Strengthen market positioning through standardized product selection and value-based selling, maximizing profitability.
• Lead, coach, and develop the regional sales organization, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and commercial excellence.
• Drive revenue growth through customer acquisition, retention, and expansion, supported by sales tools and process improvements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Product Management, and Engineering to ensure strong execution.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer insights to identify opportunities and risks.
• Oversee pricing, segmentation, and go-to-market strategies within the region.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Critical Competencies for Success:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field (MBA preferred).
• 10–15+ years of progressive commercial leadership experience, preferably in valves or engineered solutions for the Gas & Petrochemical industry.
• Strong existing customer relationships in the North American market.
• Proven track record of delivering revenue growth in a regional or multi-country context.
• Solid experience in aftermarket and lifecycle services.
• Ability to lead teams in a complex, matrixed, and multicultural environment.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.
• Willingness to travel 65%+ across customer sites and IMI PA locations.

Pay range: $180,000 - 220,000

Within this range, individual pay is determined based on skills, experience, and qualifications relative to the job requirements. Base pay information is aligned with market location and may be subject to prevailing wage laws, if applicable.

Bonus eligibility: This position is also eligible for a variable incentive pay component, separate from base salary.

What IMI Can Offer You

At IMI, one of our top priorities is to create an inclusive culture of health. We strive to remove barriers to care (whether that be physical or financial) and in doing so, we offer choice for all your health and wellbeing needs. 

See below for a general overview of our amazing perks and benefits:

• Multiple health plans to choose from: HMO, PPO, and High Deductible Health Plans with a low-cost share
• Best-in-class 401K plan with zero vesting and up to 6% contribution matching
• 14-week maternity leave at full pay (Adoption benefits are equivalent)
• 4-week paternity leave at full pay (Adoption benefits are equivalent)
• Employee Resource Groups that offer community and support, like our Pride Network and Network of Women groups 
• PTO, encompassing inclusive holidays 
• Career Development opportunities (IMI’s ‘Catalyst’ Program)
• Employer contribution for Health Savings Account, and in many cases free virtual telemedicine, and teletherapy.
• Mental Health and wellness programs to support you and your family
• Full suite of voluntary benefits to tap into, including but not limited to: Critical illness insurance, hospital indemnity, legal insurance, identity theft protection, and pet insurance or home & auto insurance through our discount advantage platform
• Short & long-term disability as well as basic life insurance at 2x your basic salary at no cost to the employee
• Free financial advisors, webinars, and classes through Charles Schwab
• Annual Employee Stock Purchase Plan with option to purchase IMI shares at a reduced employee only price - no opportunity to lose, only to profit or refund your investment 100%

**Benefits plans change year over year, but we have guiding principles in place to ensure our employees have the tools and resources available to stay connected and up to date**

Health & Safety

The physical demands described within the Key Duties & Responsibilities section of this job description are required to perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.  Please contact your local HR representative to discuss the specific Work Conditions and Physical Requirements of this role.  

Health, Safety, and Environmental Duties – At IMI we are all personally committed to protecting our people, minimizing our impact to the environment, the communities we operate in and our company. All members of our workforce have the duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of themselves, others, and the environment. Every employee is expected to follow all HSE operating procedures, also to challenge any observed behaviors or unsafe acts.

Code of Ethics

IMI requires the highest standard of ethics in all business dealings, particularly with customers, suppliers, advisors, employees, and the authorities. In accordance with the IMI Way: Our Code of Responsible Business.

Changes to This Job Description

IMI may amend this job description in whole or part at any time.

IMI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.