Sales Account Manager, Farm Channel Pet Segment (Remote)

Central Garden & Pet's Farm Channel sales team, within our broader Independent Farm & Equine (IFE) sales team, is seeking a passionate, energetic, and self-motivated Sales Account Manager to join the team! Our sales account managers are known for achieving sales goals with assigned larger direct buying Farm channel retailers by conducting sales visits, facilitating the customer's continuing education training, conducting line reviews, and implementing the company's promotional plans. This account manager role is a remote, home-office-based field sales position and desirable candidates will most likely reside in/around Janesville, WI or Madison, WI .

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

Sales Goals and Planning

• Creation of key customer business plans and achievement of sales account goals. Update account plans as necessary

• Increase distribution at accounts though new product placement and regular line reviews

• Review weekly sales numbers and identify opportunities and risks; develop actionable plans for the account to increase sales

• Create and maintain up-to-date written business plan on accounts

• Conduct quarterly line reviews of active and discontinued SKUs; ensuring the correct mix of product is in inventory

• Conducts regular customer headquarters calls - meeting with buying team, sales managers, customer service, A/R and other key contacts.

• Insure visible revenue and margin improvement for both the Farm Channel and the Pet Segment

• Manage trade effectiveness (the cost of retail shelf promotions versus ROI)

• Report in-depth sales and service activities to the Director as required

• Lead account-specific discussions on weekly sales conference call; present individual account activities to the broader team

Monthly Promotion Planning

• Create and manage sales/marketing programs with each account; plan out annual promotion plan (by month) and seasonal promotions. Create corresponding promotion request form or price reduction form (PRFs) and submit for approval and processing

• Create and distribute all promotions to Key Customers

• Communicate any competitive promotions and/or new items to Sales Support and Marketing teams

New Product Launches

• Launch all new products to accounts - provide complete launch packets, set-up forms, images, samples, order forms, etc to account

• Provide forecasts of new items to both Buyers and Demand Planning teams

• Track new product POs and alert Director to their arrival in store

• Follow-up with Buyers to ensure product is moving and stores are maintaining inventory

Credits and Returns

• Review and approve/deny all credit requests, providing sufficient backup for all claims

• Communicate to QC any larger scale irregular items or defectives that may be occurring

Pricing & Orders

• Communicate all pricing to customer

• Communicate out-of-stock items to customer

• Communicate discontinued items to customer and create sell down plan if necessary

• Resolve any pricing discrepancies on PO with Order Enter and Buyers within 24 hours

Events

• Coordinate meetings, quarterly seminars associated with assigned accounts

• Plan, execute and participate in category line reviews

• Weekend work time is required for events, etc.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and other job duties may be assigned from time to time.

IDEAL CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES

• Minimum 5-7 years prior sales experience preferred - background in pet specialty preferred

• A Bachelor's degree in a business-related course of study strongly preferred (business administration, marketing, etc.)

• 50% travel required (may include overnight travel, weekends and evenings)

• Must possess highly developed interpersonal and sales skills; superior communication skills (in person, over the phone and in writing)

• Must be proficient in computer programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Work is performed largely in field and from home office. Advanced knowledge of Excel is required.

• Must be able to project a customer service and friendly attitude; exercise good judgment when dealing with customers and employees; deal effectively and professionally with a wide variety of people and situations; maintain the integrity of highly confidential business information

• Quality, accuracy, timeliness, reliability, and thoroughness of work performed; maintain the integrity of highly confidential customer and product information

• Plan and organize work effectively; analyze problems, propose reasonable solutions, make logical decision, carryout decisions made, and follow-up with feedback where appropriate

• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Field travel conditions: frequent car and airline travel; hotel sleep accommodations, much work is performed in customer retail stores

• Home office conditions when not actively traveling in territory

• Hours of work will generally be during regular customer business hours with travel before and after business hours when possible. There will be variation in work hours due to employee and customer schedules, special projects, deadlines, and other concerns

• Account Managers may be required to lift up to 40 lbs of Central products, display or trade show equipment, trade show materials, etc. on an intermittent basis

At Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT and CENTA), we believe home is at the center of our lives, and our employees are driven by our purpose to nurture happy and healthy homes. Our company is made up of thousands of people across North America, with an emerging footprint across the U.K., Mexico, China and Canada - all dedicated to helping gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. We are united by our mission to lead the future of the garden and pet industries...one blade of grass and one wagging tail at a time. Visit our website at www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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