Area Business Manager

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

To grow sales and net margins by managing business among existing accounts and promoting the Company’s product lines to new customers within assigned territory, and otherwise directed by the Company.

This position reports to the Regional Business Manager.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Conduct daily sales calls based on assigned objectives.


• Present all new product launches to existing and prospective customers.


• Develop and add new customers, cold calling both wholesalers and retailers in assigned territory as necessary.


• Travel and conduct sales meetings with existing customers on assigned frequency, and at least weekly, to review their business performance.


• Establish, develop, and maintain positive business and customer relationships.


• Expedite the resolution of customer problems and complaints to maximize satisfaction.


• Achieve agreed upon sales and net margin targets and outcomes within schedule.


• Achieve agreed upon cost expenditures within schedule.


• Coordinate sales effort with team members and other departments.


• Manage leads and opportunities within the Salesforce software.


• Analyze the territory/market’s potential, track sales and status reports.


• Supply management with reports on customer needs, problems, interests, competitive activities observed during the course of employment with Zippo, and potential for new products and services.


• Keep abreast of best practices and product trends.


• Develop promotional activities for key customers to assist with growing sales.


• Recommend product assortments to customers.


• Forecast, track profitability, and provide progress reports on a bi-annual basis using DeCon/ReCon Customer Rationalization Tool and quarterly P&L statements.


• Facilitate resolution of operational issues to ensure compliance and minimize chargebacks.


• Attend sales meetings and trade shows as needed.


• Overnight domestic travel required (up to 50%).


• Work primarily within assigned territory, but travel to other locations for discrete periods on occasion, as required. 

EDUCATION AND ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree OR


• Equivalent experience in sales/retail OR


• Any similar combination of education and experience


• Demonstrated Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite


• Valid Driver’s License


• Ability to comply with all applicable motor vehicle laws and obtain sufficient insurance


• Ability to work remotely from a home-based office


• Availability to travel and work outside of regularly scheduled work hours, as needed

***This is a salaried exempt, full remote position.  The ideal candidate must reside in Illinois or Wisconsin AND

within a 75 mile radius of Chicago O'Hare Airport and will cover the following territories:

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                • North Dakota
                
                
                • South Dakota
                
                
                • Nebraska
                
                
                • Minnesota
                
                
                • Iowa
                
                
                • Missouri (partial/Eastern)
                
                
                • Wisconsin
                
                
                • Illinois
                
                
                • Michigan
                
                
                • Indiana (partial/Northern)