Field Sales Representative - South Chicago

Description

Springs Window Fashions has been part of the window treatments industry since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton WI, we have over 8,000 associates and 18 locations worldwide. Our products are available in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms and showcased in large commercial buildings. Our company is privately owned with products marketed across a broad portfolio of brands including Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho. We pride ourselves as "The Best Experience Company", striving to provide the best experience for our consumers, channel partners, and associates.

Our Department

Use your natural ability to train people, share your knowledge, and love of interior decorating in this role! Our committed sales department plays one of the biggest roles in our organization's success. The sales department is ever-growing and responsible for generating revenues and tasked to ensure that the sale of products and services results to profit.

Mission

The primary responsibilities of this position are to successfully integrate national retailing programs into the territory, to promote and train on the sale of Graber, Bali, Signature Series, and Springs branded products, to achieve maximum market penetration and build brand reputation, and to attain short- and long-range objectives for retail sales growth.

Objectives

The FSR will spend approximately 70% of their time in stores training and selling the retail store associates on the brands we sell. This includes

• Training on product features, selling points, selling methods and techniques

• Advising how to properly merchandise Springs products

• Teaching correct ordering procedures

• Preparing for and training store/franchise reps on upcoming promotions

• Solving customer complaints and delighting customers with your solutions

• Foster Bex for store associates and their peers

National Account Manager

• Work with Springs National Account Managers to plan and coordinate training events, new store openings, sales promotions, assortment changes, display changes, etc. He or she will conduct product knowledge and selling classes of up to 50 people in many of these types of events.

Display Integrity

• Responsible for the integrity of displays. He/she will regularly install new displays and update existing displays with new products or new hardware as required, clean/tidy displays as necessary and update pricing and sample books.

Opening Stores

• The FSR will spend some time planning for new store openings, in close coordination with his/her Regional Manager and appropriate personnel from the retail chain. He or she will help set up new stores and will often attend grand openings or other special events planned for individual stores. These events often will occur on weekends.

• Reporting

• The FSR keeps the Regional Sales Manager informed of his or her activities via standard communication processes. He or she will work closely with their respective Manager to determine the most effective store-call schedule. The FSR's key objective is to schedule their day in order to maximize their customer relationships and to maximize sales.

Sales Reps may be asked to assist in training new Sales Representatives in other territories.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• A bachelor's degree in business or a related field is strongly preferred.

• Candidates should have 1-3+ years of experience in retail sales. Window coverings experience is preferred.

• Scheduling: This position will work 10+ Saturdays each year.

• Most incumbents will be required to drive for extended periods of time, and may drive between 15,000 and 40,000 miles annually. Overnight travel may be required (between 2 and 15 days a month, depending on the territory.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Training/Presentation Skills

• Is able to communicate effectively in training and/or presentation situations; handles questions and concerns with confidence and ease; has comprehensive product and technical knowledge to present facts clearly; is able to improvise when unexpected circumstances arise. Very good presentation skills are essential, as this position will frequently be called on to give product knowledge presentations to groups consisting of 2-10 sales associates, and occasionally to larger groups of 40-50 in-store sales associates. Creative, memorable presentations will leave a positive, long-lasting image in the minds of in-store associates and department managers and will result in increased sales.

• Customer Service Skills

• Is easy to approach and talk to; anticipates customer needs; spends the extra effort to put others at ease; is sensitive to and patient with the interpersonal anxieties of others; builds rapport well; is a good listener; is cool under pressure; not defensive or irritated in difficult situations; displays maturity; can hold things together in difficult situations; handles stress well; not knocked off balance by the unexpected; doesn't show frustration when resisted or blocked; is a settling influence when necessary; responds to external and internal customer requests in a timely manner.

• Training / Selling Skills

• Understands and uses sales data to identify selling opportunities to increase sales. The FSR anticipates and takes steps necessary to quell objections from store associates and end users concerning SWF products; effectively deals with unexpected objections as they arise; continually builds rapport with associates at all levels within the store setting (Department, Regional, Installation Managers and sales associates); is familiar with the qualifying process and effectively communicates the benefits of all products

• Computer/Communication Skills

• Is able to effectively use technology, ie. E-mail, voice mail, hand-held digital assistants. Is comfortable using common office technology software, ie. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Requirements

• Representatives are required to lift stock, sample books, and display parts weighing from 1-15 pounds frequently during a typical workday. The ability to lift up to 50 pounds is sometimes required. When more than 50 pounds must be lifted, representatives are required to obtain assistance from store personnel.

• Work in a store environment with exposure to fork trucks, noise, dust and somewhat variable temperatures is necessary on a daily basis.

• There is often a need to climb stepladders and work from moderate heights while installing and maintaining displays.

• Most incumbents will be required to drive for extended periods of time, and may drive between 15,000 and 40,000 annually. Overnight travel may be required (between 2 and 15 days a month, depending on the territory.)

Behavioral Competencies

Ensures Accountability

• Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments

Drive Engagement

• Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives

Instill Trust

• Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

Drive Results

• Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances

Consumer/Customer Focus

• Building strong customer relationships and delivering on customer-centric solutions

Critical Thinking

• Making Sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems

Being Resilient

• Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations

Optimize Work Processes

• Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement