Ahmed SALEM

Regional Sales Manager – MEA | Industrial Air Solutions & Construction Equipment | Channel Sales & Distributor Leadership

United Arab Emirates

About

Regional Sales Manager with 15+ years of experience driving distribution channel growth and technical sales across the Middle East & Africa, currently with Hitachi Global Air Power. My career spans both industrial air solutions and construction equipment, with regional exposure to dealer networks associated with Bobcat Company and Caterpillar Inc.. I bring a strong understanding of channel strategy, technical applications, and market development across diverse and complex environments. I specialize in: • Building and scaling distributor networks across multiple countries • Driving technical sales for oil-free and portable compressed air systems • High-pressure / high-flow applications (drilling, industrial, rental) • Aligning commercial strategy with technical solutions and market demand Key achievements include: • Building a distribution channel from the ground up, achieving multi-fold revenue growth across MEA • Expanding distributor coverage and improving partner performance across multiple markets • Supporting complex technical sales from specification to commissioning • Delivering successful projects in sectors including pharmaceutical and drilling I operate at the intersection of technical sales, channel development, and regional strategy, helping partners grow while delivering high-performance solutions in demanding environments. Trilingual professional (Arabic, English, French), supporting business development across diverse international markets.

Experience

  • Regional Sales Manager MEA at Hitachi Global Air Power
    Oct 2017 - Present · 8 yrs 9 mos

  • Co-Founder at Sea Escape Boats Rental LLC
    Feb 2017 - Oct 2017 · 9 mos

    • Co-founded and developed a premium boat charter and water experiences business in Dubai • Scaled the business from startup stage into an established operation • Recognized among top-rated experiences in Dubai (TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice)

  • District Sales Manager MENA at Bobcat Company
    Feb 2015 - Feb 2017 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    • Managed and developed a network of 10 dealers across the Middle East & North Africa, driving sales and market expansion • Increased market share for telehandlers, positioning the brand as a strong challenger in a competitive segment • Maintained and strengthened market leadership in skid steer loaders across key markets • Defined and executed go-to-market strategies, including targeted marketing campaigns and product positioning • Led forecasting, budgeting, and performance reviews to ensure alignment with regional targets • Strengthened cross-functional collaboration between sales, service, parts, and logistics to improve customer satisfaction and retention • Optimized dealer network performance by restructuring underperforming channels and enhancing partner capabilities

  • Business Development Engineer at Caterpillar Inc. NEFC FZE
    Oct 2011 - Feb 2015 · 3 yrs 5 mos

    • Led the introduction and development of the SEM brand in Ethiopia, establishing market presence and dealer engagement • Increased market share from 5% to 15% over three years, positioning the brand as a strong player in a competitive market • Drove sales of heavy construction equipment through targeted business development and key account management • Identified and closed new business opportunities, contributing to sustained revenue growth • Developed and implemented go-to-market and marketing strategies aligned with supplier objectives • Improved coordination between regional offices (Dubai, Ethiopia, Djibouti), enhancing operational efficiency • Developed internal tools and processes (CRM/database) to support sales tracking and reporting

  • Engineering Intern – Process Development (MKT2) at Saint-Gobain Glass
    Oct 2010 - Aug 2011 · 11 mos

    • Contributed to the development of operator training materials and process documentation • Supported production teams by monitoring processes and ensuring compliance with operational standards • Delivered training sessions to operators on process lifecycle and best practices • Designed test cases to validate operator readiness and process reliability • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve process understanding and knowledge transfer