Vice President of Sales

West Paw is looking to hire a dynamic Vice President of Sales. This position is responsible for leadership of the Sales team, through the development and implementation of solutions-oriented strategies that drive consistent, profitable revenue growth, and expand our distribution footprint. The Vice President of Sales is also a key contributor to West Paw's strategic direction and execution as a member of the Executive Team. The position leads, inspires, and develops five to seven direct reports across Sales and Customer Experience and reports to the President.

At West Paw, our goal is to be “Dog’s Best Friend”. We do this by making things dogs love and by caring about how we make the things dogs love - from our own factory in beautiful Bozeman, Montana. We innovate to unleash joy between people and pets, in pursuit of a healthier world. We’re eco-friendly in our materials and manufacturing choices and people-friendly in our business choices.

The talented, dog-loving, sustainability driven team at West Paw designs, manufactures, markets and ships high quality, planet and people conscious dog products to over 40 countries and 6000 retailers. From our eco-friendly facility in Bozeman, we pride ourselves on products that are safe, healthy, durable and made responsibly.

We’re West Paw, a proud Certified B Corp and Dog’s Best Friend®. To be the best fit we actively seek purpose-driven candidates that embrace the love of dogs, a curiosity to understand and passion for our vision of a better society and environment. Our best days at work often involve sharing a great dog experience that brought connection and joy.

Where Is This Role Based?

Because of the collaborative nature of the role, we expect the person we hire to be based at our Bozeman, Montana, headquarters.

What Will This Job Do?

• Lead the sales function to deliver strategic, consistent, and profitable sales growth in line with targets.
• Strategically participate in cultivating and managing select key accounts and new business development.
• Develop and implement highly effective, standardized, and proven sales processes, systems, and fulfillment partnerships that fuel sustainable growth and are aligned with our Core Values.
• Build and deliver an annual sales plan, informed by the growth opportunities in our market, our internal capabilities, and strong partnership with Marketing, Operations, and Finance. Establish and implement short and long-range sales goals with applicable metrics to achieve the plan.
• Develop short and long-term current and new customer growth strategies and partnership plans with a solutions-oriented approach. Ensure their voice informs our proposals and creates success for them, but also increases value for West Paw, all while building and protecting our brand and managing risk.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of our distribution channels to optimize margin and revenue and determine the best short and long-term strategy for each, factoring in production capacity and other available resources.
• Work with all internal sales team members to establish maintenance and growth plans for all key accounts.
• Lead the Customer Experience team to be efficient and responsive in customer communication, creating an overwhelmingly positive brand experience that drives customer loyalty.
• Deliver revenue growth at or above Plan by holding sales team members accountable and providing impactful coaching on how to effectively sell.
• Optimize the team’s work breakdown; ensure the team is right-sized for output, efficiency, and results.
• Recruit, develop, and retain the right people in the right seats across our Sales and Customer Experience teams.
• Become a market expert and builder of strategic industry network and personal relationships.
• Influence, support, and champion the strategic direction and financial success of West Paw.
• Provide leadership and tactical coordination in strategic business planning and budgeting.
• Leverage strong leadership and communication skills to inspire and engage employees to envision and implement solutions that improve customer experience, grow revenue, cash flow and profit.
• Leverage financial and business data to make strategic and tactical decisions that drive excellence in Sales and also inform decisions in Marketing, Customer Experience, Product Development, and Operations.
• Ensure employees’ work is safe, they have opportunities to grow, and are recognized for value they create.
• Embody West Paw Core Values in all work interactions, tasks, and decisions (Create Joyful Connection, Grow for Good, Humanize Business, Be Real, Solve for Tomorrow).
• Uphold West Paw’s Purpose in all work endeavors (We spark opportunities to unleash good).
• Champion West Paw’s Niche in all work decisions (Sustainable dog solutions for their devoted humans).
• Other duties as assigned.

What Skills and Experience Are We Looking For?

• Proven track record in developing and leading a sales organization that consistently meets or exceeds expectations and has grown year over year
• Knowledge of consumer goods, retail environment, marketing, branding and distribution
• Able to understand customer need and produce positive results for both West Paw and the customer
• Strong negotiation, oral and written communication skills with all ranges of individuals and groups, whether internally or externally 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, able to work collaboratively, practice attentive and active listening, and build constructive and effective relationships at all levels of an organization
• Identify and resolve problems collaboratively and in a timely manner
• Speak and write clearly and informatively, listen and gains clarification, demonstrate group presentation skills
• Able to delegate, inspire others to perform well, and set expectations
• Contribute to a positive team spirit, give and welcome feedback
• Gather data and analyze information skillfully, able to use data to produce an informed
• Willing to make decisions and exhibits sound judgment
• Work within an approved budget, maximize use of organizational resources
• Prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently
• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness
• Able to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations
• Possess solid computer skills including knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, internet, e-commerce and database software

What Are Our Minimum Qualifications for this Role?

• 15 years related sales experience at a managerial or executive level
• Proven success in managing a team to meet, exceed, and grow revenue targets.
• Proven experience developing and managing successful and proven sales processes that enable sales teams to manage their sales pipelines, move to close, maintain world-class customer relationships, and continuously grow the business year over year.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

What are the Physical Requirements of this Role? How about the Work Environment?

• Typically located in an indoor area with the possibility of mild discomfort from factors such as dust, material particles, temperature extremes, loud noise and bright lights 
• Frequent periods are spent standing or sitting in the same location with some opportunity move about
• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse
• Occasional lifting of objects up to 36 inches from floor level, and weighing up to 30 lbs 
• Frequent travel to headquarters, customer, and additional business related events 8-16 times per year

What are the Benefits and Perks of Working at West Paw?

We are proud to offer a variety of benefits that meet the diverse needs of our team:

• Three medical plan options, with one that is 100% company-paid for the employee.  Dependents are eligible to participate.
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Dental, Vision, Life, Accident, and Disability insurance options.
• Paid Time Off for volunteering, wellness, and new parents.
• A Safe Harbor 401(k) plan that provides a 4% company match on a 5% employee contribution.
• 4 1/2 day work week (half-day Fridays year-round!).
• Employee Wellness and Financial Assistance Resources through Mutual of Omaha and HoneyBee.
• On-Site Ergonomic and Physical Therapy services
• Discounts on West Paw products!

What's It Like to Work at West Paw?

West Paw is a small family-owned business with a strong history and new growth ahead. Through our diversified workforce, with most of us in one facility, we celebrate a collaborative, hardworking team. Our success stems from our values and vision and our willingness to learn and grow. We leverage Open Book Management allowing all employees to become better business people and to understand how they can further business success. We invest in financial literacy and transparency to engage employees to contribute to our current financial condition and future plans.

Our team is united in our quest for a cleaner planet, healthier communities, safe and happy pets, and transparent business practices. Everyone from production to sales to accounting and beyond rallies around our mission with a shared sense of purpose and pride. Our culture is built on relationships – with each other, our customers, our pets, our community, and our planet.

The joy of our work comes from sharing in success with people who are passionate about pets, contribute to our culture, appreciate a fast-paced atmosphere, share our values and further our vision.

West Paw is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with West Paw and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to our People and Culture team (hr@westpaw.com). West Paw encourages each of our team members to understand, accept, and celebrate differences among people. That includes different personalities, lifestyles, work styles, education, and experience. We also welcome and embrace people of all races, ethnicities, ages, religions, physical abilities, sexual orientation, gender identities, and genders at West Paw. If you're not sure that you meet 100% of the requirements posted above, but may bring value to the team, please apply anyway! We'd love to talk to you.