Sales & Business Development Manager

SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Ralph Speer | Designer & Trade Furniture

James + James Furniture

SUMMARY

James + James Furniture is seeking a Sales & Business Development Manager to help build and grow Ralph Speer, our designer and trade furniture business. This is a hands-on sales opportunity for an accomplished salesperson who is energized by building relationships, developing new business, closing sales, and helping shape a growing brand.

The Sales & Business Development Manager will be responsible for developing new designer and trade accounts, strengthening existing relationships, reconnecting with past customers, and turning opportunities into completed orders and repeat business.

Ralph Speer combines high-quality hardwood furniture, customization capabilities, and established manufacturing resources through James + James Furniture. This position will play an important role in connecting those capabilities with interior designers, design firms, trade professionals, hospitality customers, and other strategic accounts.

This is initially an individual-contributor sales role, not a position managing an existing sales team. The successful candidate will work closely with Charles Morgan, CEO and key senior leadership team members, gaining direct exposure to the business while taking ownership of sales development and results. 

A proven record of successful sales and demonstrated ability to personally close business is essential. Furniture-industry experience is desirable but not required.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Develop and close new business opportunities within the designer, trade, hospitality, and related markets.
• Build and maintain productive, long-term relationships with interior designers, design firms, trade professionals, and strategic accounts.
• Identify prospective customers and establish a consistent, purposeful outreach strategy.
• Reconnect with previous customers and develop opportunities for renewed and repeat business.
• Understand customer needs, project requirements, budgets, timelines, and design objectives.
• Present Ralph Speer products and customization capabilities in a compelling and professional manner.
• Prepare proposals, pricing, and sales materials in coordination with internal teams.
• Address customer questions and concerns and confidently move qualified opportunities toward the close.
• Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and consistent follow-up throughout the sales process.
• Work closely with Marketing to leverage product introductions, lookbooks, photography, communications, and other sales resources.
• Collaborate with Design, Manufacturing, Customer Service, and Operations to ensure customer expectations are clearly communicated and delivered.
• Provide regular updates regarding pipeline activity, opportunities, customer feedback, and anticipated business.
• Help establish a repeatable sales process that can support future growth and the addition of additional sales team members.
• Represent Ralph Speer and James + James professionally with customers, designers, industry partners, and the community.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate results, initiative, relationship-building ability, and strong follow-through.

You should bring:

• A demonstrated history of successful sales performance.
• Experience achieving or exceeding sales goals.
• Strong prospecting and relationship-development skills.
• Confidence in asking for the business and closing opportunities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and disciplined follow-through.
• The ability to work independently and take ownership of results.
• Curiosity, sound judgment, and the ability to learn quickly.
• A professional presence and customer-focused approach.
• The ability to build trust and develop relationships that lead to repeat business.

EXPERIENCE THAT'S A PLUS:

Experience in any of the following would be valuable:

• Furniture or home furnishings
• Interior design or design services
• Premium or luxury products
• Trade or hospitality sales
• Project-based sales
• Customized products
• Relationship-driven business development

We will seriously consider accomplished sales professionals from other industries. You do not need to be a furniture expert to be successful in this role — but you do need to demonstrate that you know how to sell.

What We Offer:

James + James offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees and their families, including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan — Company retirement savings program with eligibility and enrollment options.
• Open Time Off 

GROWTH OPPORTUNITY:

Ralph Speer is being built for growth, and this position has the potential to grow with the business.

As the business develops, the Sales & Business Development Manager may have the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities, including recruiting, developing, and leading additional sales professionals; establishing sales goals; developing sales strategies; and helping build the broader sales organization.

Future leadership responsibilities will be based on demonstrated performance, leadership ability, business needs, and the growth of the business.

The role requires strong cross-functional communication and the ability to connect customer needs with the capabilities of the business.

WHY JOIN JAMES + JAMES:

You will have the opportunity to:

• Help shape the growth of the Ralph Speer brand.
• Work directly with experienced business leadership.
• Build relationships with designers and trade professionals.
• Sell a high-quality, customizable furniture product.
• Work closely with a manufacturing organization capable of bringing customer ideas to life.
• Make a measurable contribution to the growth of the business.
• Build the foundation for a future sales organization.
• Join an established furniture business while helping build something new.

LOCATION & TRAVEL:

Central Arkansas — Little Rock or Heber Springs preferred

The position may require travel for customer and designer meetings, showroom visits, trade events, industry events, presentations, and other business-development activities. Specific travel expectations will be established based on business needs.

Please submit your résumé and a brief note describing why this opportunity interests you to [email protected]

We especially want to see evidence of what you have sold and what you have accomplished. We are interested in candidates who can demonstrate that they know how to create opportunities, build relationships, close business, and develop customers who will buy again.

Please include two or three examples of sales results you personally delivered. Tell us what you sold, your role in winning the business, how you developed the opportunity, and the result.