Region Distribution Manager - Automotive Finishes

Job Title

This person can site anywhere in the Northeast Region near continental US near an airport.

• Develop plans to increase distribution market share within assigned sales region.
• Support Territory Sales Managers and Area Sales Managers throughout the direct jobber and warehouse distribution channels within your assigned region and act as a conduit between internal and external distribution customers and team members.
• Identify targets and opportunities that lead to capturing and/or converting these opportunities with the field TSM's and ASMs.
• Conduct monthly sales meetings with distribution partners to develop strong support for our products and initiatives that ultimately translate into increasing our distribution market share.
• Lead the distribution sales effort on new product introductions, programs, and/or promotions to drive sales growth through our distribution partners within your assigned regions.
• Collect and record reliable customer information utilizing Sherwin-Williams platforms, including but not limited to Salesforce CRM.
• Conduct sales calls to prospective and existing distribution customers, stores, warehouse distributors, and end-users. Through the sales process, identify the customer's needs and develop solutions to profitably grow sales.
• Develop a regular sales call schedule to ensure that the needs and expectations of the customer are met.
• Develop sales presentations and promotions to facilitate growth in existing accounts and to open new accounts.
• Maintain discipline in pre-call planning, and daily and weekly activities, to ensure time is maximized. Conduct sales calls accordingly.

Customer Service

• Assisted the Sherwin-Williams field team and customer in setting up and implementing mixing systems.
• Able to assist with product returns, which would require lifting 50-60 pounds at a time.
• Assist with opening new stores, when needed, which would require lifting 50-60 pounds on a recurring basis during any one day and up to 100 pounds on occasion.
• Allow self to be readily accessible to customer for advice/assistance through use of the Company issued communication devices.
• Communicate to customers about current sales promotions, new product development, etc.
• Build/manage relationships with existing and potential customers/personnel.
• Identify potential problems and work through them with the sales support network.
• Give immediate attention to customer comments and complaints and advise the National Sales Manager of such.
• Address backorder issues as needed.
• Support customers with technical, sales, and marketing assistance as needed.
• Handle customer complaints within lines of authority and manage the process to resolution.
• Assist customers in determining inventory levels.
• Learn formal/informal networks of end-users, stores, and warehouse distributors.
• Accompany and assist our distributor sales force in selling/marketing of automotive refinishing products.

Additional Duties

• Communicate and report to the region sales director on all distribution activity within your assigned region.
• Provide feedback, collaborate, and work with the national distribution team members on increasing market share within your assigned region and/or support for national opportunities.
• Conduct competitive product comparisons, identify current competitors' strengths and weaknesses, and determine our competitive advantage.
• Familiarize yourself with all products in the Automotive Distribution channel, including their application and preparation.
• Obtain approval for product placement plans with appropriate people (e.g., end user, jobber, warehouse distributor, national sales manager, region sales director, etc.)
• Access product/technical information to support customers' application requirements.
• Complete expense reports at least on a bi-weekly basis.

Required:

• High school education or equivalent required.

Preferred:
• Prefer a bachelor's in a business/marketing related field.
• Prior sales experience in related industry preferred

KNOWLEDGE &

EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Knowledge of product technology and product application usually obtained through one or more years' experience in the Automotive Division or other Company…