Sales Consultant
We are seeking dynamic and driven people for a vital role in our organization. Our company is well-established in the garden industry, which is currently experiencing unprecedented growth. We need top-level sales professionals to provide an above and beyond customer experience in a rapidly expanding marketplace.
Southeast-based territory currently available.
Who We Are
Lotus International is a family-owned company, in Athens, GA, established in 1992. We manufacture and supply ceramic pottery, plant containers, and garden décor to home and garden retailers throughout North America. Lotus International began by selling bonsai containers and developed into an industry-leading garden pottery and accessory brand. Over the years, Lotus International has introduced innovations that have become some of the best-selling products in the market today.
What You Will Be Doing
Sales Territory Managers at Lotus International provide an outstanding level of service to their account base by conveying highly tuned product knowledge, expert command of applicable sales programs, and relevant market insight, allowing for optimum sell-through and margin performance rates.
Your territory includes both a base of established, active customers as well as a large number of potential prospects. You will present the unique and highly competitive value propositions Lotus International offers to secure purchase orders from these retail partners on an ongoing basis.
We provide all the necessary tools and materials to equip you to initiate and finalize the sales process.
You’ll be expected to meet and exceed yearly sales and customer targets. The ability to research, identify, contact, close, and develop new customers is critical.
To achieve success in this role, you must understand and implement all policies including finance, accounting, marketing, and business process improvements as well as negotiate programs while managing the product assortments to meet margin, volume, mix, and market share goals.
Our substantial product line offers a wide selection of sizes, finishes, and textures and our ability to deliver a diverse and profitable assortment is a significant competitive advantage.
Above all, you will be responsible for establishing and growing the relationships necessary to bring considerable value to our retail partners and be an ongoing resource to their continued success in this profitable category.
Essential duties include:
• Prepare sales presentations and line reviews and deliver a complete package including pricing and promotions
• Establish and cultivate a valued partner relationship with assigned accounts
• Execute the brand strategy for Lotus International by understanding and implementing key initiatives within the account that aligns with the key tenets of Lotus International consumer position
• Execute brand guidelines that have been established for the channel
• Attend all channel trade shows and key customer events
• Act as the internal contact for the customer
• Maintain and publish daily/weekly sales information for accounts
• Maintain and update production forecast for assigned accounts
• Develop and execute merchandising strategy and share best practices
• Communicate business trends and business updates to the leadership team
• Work with the supply chain to be the voice of the customer as it relates to changes in demand, promotional activities that impact production, shipping issues, backorders, quality holds including product knowledge training and implementation of company policies
• Assist accounting team with receivables and disputes as needed
• Coordinate and execute product training for team members and customers as needed
What We Offer
This is a full-time in-house position with an established geographic territory including active customers with recent and recurring sales history. Servicing these current customers while also establishing new accounts provides a high level of growth potential over time.
• Base salary + commission and bonus structure
• Health benefits package
• Periodic incentive programs for additional bonus opportunities
• Company laptop and cell phone
• Training and support from internal staff
Requirements
Garden industry experience is strongly preferred, other direct outside sales experience will be considered. Familiarity with the independent retail channel of trade and first-hand knowledge and sales management experience with independent retail Garden Center accounts and/or hardware channel sales and marketing experience is highly desired.
• 5+ years of experience in direct B2B sales with a consumer goods company
• Proven sales success and record of exceeding goals
• Demonstrated elegance in interactions with customers, staff, and colleagues
• Superior verbal, written communication skills and presentation skills
• Proficient personal computer skills, including MS Office software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CRM, Sage, and other database applications).
• Detail-oriented approach with high organizational skills
• A strong passion/desire to hit goals – you’re probably very competitive!
• Ability to cope with difficult customer situations.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to ask probing questions, understand concerns and overcome objections.
• Highly motivated self-starter who doesn’t need heavy management.
This position requires maintaining a heavy travel schedule (50%) and some extended work hours.
Geographic territories and specific accounts are assigned and realigned as needed to generate optimal account management levels.
The company participates in industry trade shows - participation and attendance are periodically required.
When not on the road, working from the Athens/Winder, GA office is expected. Not a work-from-home position.
Job Type: Full-time
$75,000 - $90,000+ per year compensation range
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