Customer Service Specialist for Wayzata Brands (FDM consumer products)

Wayzata Brands incubates sustainably-minded, disruptive consumer brands intending to create a happier, healthier planet. We seek a dynamic, entrepreneurial Customer Support Specialist who wants to be part of something meaningful and help build our two brands from the ground up.

Ingredients Matter (www.ingredientsmatterclean.com) is an ultra-sustainable laundry brand made with simple ingredients packaged in paper (not plastic), and Peet Brothers (www.peetbrospalmfree.com) is a personal care brand free from palm oil and its devastating environmental impact.

These two Wayzata Brands' start-ups build on and institutionalize our experience from leading our first brand, Duke Cannon Supply Co. (www.dukecannon.com ), to 9 years of 100% growth and a top position in men's grooming.

The role's responsibilities center on supporting our relationships with new and existing customers (i.e., Target, Raley's, Wegmans) in the Food, Drug, and Mass channel. You will work directly with the incubator president and the rest of the team on-site at our offices in Wayzata, MN. During the next 2-3 years, this person will secondarily assist in inventory management, monitoring, and vendor PO placement, until we reach scale for a dedicated position.

Candidates should have 2-5 years of customer support experience, ideally in consumer goods and the FDM channel. Experience in a small business or start-up environment is also relevant -- our team is small, everyone contributes, and the work is direct and hands-on. We believe the role fits someone seeking an entrepreneurial environment, expanded responsibility, and the exciting challenge of growing early-stage, differentiated brands.

Wayzata Brands is part of the Breazeale Group, which has hundreds of employees. We offer competitive salaries, an exceptional profit-sharing bonus system, and a full benefits package (health insurance, 401K).

Responsibilities:

Sales Growth

• Support the sales effort through supporting/managing relationships with existing accounts (i.e., Target, Raley's, Wegmans)
• Handle customer meeting follow-ups and manage communication with cross-functional teams for accurate and timely execution of product and cost requirements for each offering
• Implement and measure sales promotions for each customer
• Maintain sales reporting

Sales Support

• Create and maintain calendars for line reviews and sales appointments to ensure that Sales is adequately equipped for sales presentations and meeting customer requirements
• Support direct customer relationships, including item set-up and online portals
• Assist with our broker relationships, including product and pricing information for item set-up, customer samples, and any other customer needs
• Work closely with Operations to ensure sufficient inventory, correct product pack-out, and on-time product delivery
• Organize and distribute samples and information to customers as needed
• Monitor (or enter) customer orders and assure fulfillment by third-party warehouse

Trade Shows

• Prepare for trade shows by gathering appropriate samples, packing crates with all required marketing materials and booth equipment
• Represent the brand at trade shows, including setting up the booth space when applicable

Competitive Intelligence

• Stay abreast of competitor activity, including retailer store sets and pricing
• Maintain awareness of current industry market trends and new developments

Inventory and vendor management

• Until we reach scale for dedicated planners, this position monitors inventory levels and places purchase orders with a handful of finished goods vendors

Requirements

• 2-5 years of sales support experience, preferably in a wholesale environment
• Business and financial acumen
• Strong presence and presentation skills - in person and virtual
• Well-developed cross-functional collaboration and communication skills (verbal & written)
• Proficiency with CRM & Microsoft Office 365 software
• Strong problem-solving skills, documentation skills
• Full-time in-office position
• Ability to occasionally lift/move 30 pounds (samples stock)