Nick Sobols

Ambassador of VTScada, world-class software for control & monitoring | MS (Master of Science) | MWP (Master of Wow Presentations) | Product Marketing & Partner Enablement | Industrial Automation | Industry 4.0 | EMEA

Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands

About

I started my career maintaining a few high-voltage substations in a small country on the Baltic Sea. Today, I promote VTScada and develop the markets across more than 110 countries in EMEA. The scale has changed quite a bit, but the goal remains the same: make complex systems work a little better, Over the past 25 years, I've worked in Riga, Moscow, Turin and Eindhoven, moving between engineering, product management and business/partner development. My role has evolved over time, but the mission remains the same: learn new things, help customers succeed, and occasionally prove that software can actually make life easier. I'm particularly interested in industrial software, partner development and international business. I enjoy helping people understand technology—whether through presentations, training sessions or multilingual* content for the automation community. After all, good ideas travel further when they are explained clearly. *My Magnificent Seven: EN, IT, ES, FR, RU, LV und ein bisschen DE

Experience

  • Senior Product Manager - Process Automation (Partner Development & GTM) at Delta Electronics EMEA
    Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

    Successfully led the VTScada software introduction in EMEA, driving significant growth in the industrial automation sector. • Developed and implemented pricing strategies and budget management for optimal product positioning. • Conducted technical training sessions to empower distributors and system integrators in the EMEA market. • Collaborated closely with the Sales Director to align product strategies with market demands.

  • Product Manager - EcoStruxure Plant offer at Schneider Electric
    Oct 2014 - Sep 2021 · 7 yrs

    Progressed across roles in Russia/CIS countries and Italy, managing the full lifecycle and EMEA market adaptation of industrial programmable controllers and hybrid DCS solutions for process automation. Key achievements ·       Delivered strong growth for Schneider Electric Modicon PLC (PAC) high-end product line (with annual budgets €10mil+); maximised profitability and market share within highly competitive segments. ·       'Step Up' Award in 2016 for outstanding business impact and leadership on product strategy initiatives. ·       Expanded product portfolio responsibilities to include telemetry solutions, strengthening strategic market offerings. ·       Enhanced customer and partner engagement via successful product launches and event representation, including SPS Fair in Parma (Italy) and multiple industry showcases ·       Enabled 20% increase in market reach by organising and leading over 30 major technical seminars and conferences across Russia and the CIS (Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan).

  • Project manager - Highvoltage substation automation at Alstom Grid
    Feb 2013 - Jun 2014 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Project management, projects in energy field - 110 kV substations (Russia, Ukraine). Digital control systems, Relay protection: management of budget and works (designing, configuration, ordering, shipment of equipment, commissioning and start-up).

  • Head of Product management sector at RTSoft
    Aug 2011 - Jan 2013 · 1 yr 6 mos

    Scope of responsibility - product management, the strongest world brands in SCADA area (SCADA - System Control and Data Acquisition): Citect (by "Schneider Electric"): CitectSCADA, CitectFacilities, CitectHistorian; Wonderware (InTouch, System Platform, ...) Functions: marketing support of clients, sales managers and project leaders; development and elaboration of marketing materials (leaflets, presentations, technical instructions); seminars and conferences (also regional), meetings-presentations with customers; market analysis and market strategies for product promotion.

  • Sales Manager - Mitsubishi Electric official dealer at Beijer Electronics
    Sep 2006 - Aug 2011 · 5 yrs

    Company - a subsidiary of Swedish company “Beijer Electronic Automation AB”, an important player in the European market of automation, official representative in Northern Europe of the world-known brands in industrial automation field (“Mitsubishi Electric”, “Citect”, “Solcon”, IDEC), main products - frequency inverters, programmable logical controllers (PLC), SCADA systems, operator terminals. Functions: products distribution in Latvia (offers, orders, invoicing); active sales (meetings with customers, product presentations, development of marketing materials); organization of trainings and seminars (customer days), fairs; actual marketing and technical management of the Latvian office. Achievements: actual start-up of company in Latvia increased sales of dedicated products, deeper market penetration (new customers, brand popularity); wide experience in sales communication in different industries and levels; highvoltage softstarters (6kV, 1MW) - sale and start-up in Cemex cement plant (Broceni); complex marine projects supervised and personally realized (cargo holds monitoring and control of big oceanic refrigerators).