The Sales Specialist will be a true ally to our retail partners, ensuring our products are displayed in a way that influences sales and educating and training our retail partners on how to speak to the unique differentiators of our pet-first product lines. Sales growth is achieved by building solid relationships and supporting the retailer through one-on-one training, group seminars, in-store promotional assistance, building displays, providing timely POS, stocking and rotating products on shelf, and generally assisting the retailer to knowledgeably sell & recommend our products. The successful candidate will be a pet lover, and people person who is passionate about our products and how they benefit not only the dog or cat that feeds our foods, but the owner that gets a healthy, energetic pet.

The Sales Specialist will report directly to the Regional Sales Manager, Eastern USA and is best suited for a candidate located in the Ohio area. The Territory region will include, but is not limited to Ohio, Michigan, Indiana.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and achieves a consistent daily and weekly customer call cycle, i.e. "store visits" in the most efficient manner to meet customer needs and expectations and maintain cost-effectiveness
• Work with management to develop in-store strategies to grow sales at chain accounts
• Ensure that a proper level of stock is maintained and that the merchandise is displayed appropriately with correct signage and favorable shelf placement
• Work with Petcurean sales, retail, and chain store team members to drive sales growth through consistent education and relationships with the store staff
• Present engaging nutritional and selling-skills seminars to large and small groups leveraging Petcurean's unique messaging
• Report customer complaints to the Regional Sales Manager, Eastern USA
• Determines call schedule by reviewing priorities with their manager; discussing special instructions, events, product promotions, new products, and price changes
• Maintains customer relationships by visiting with store managers, department managers, and employees; answering their questions and inquiries with a solutions-focused urgency; responding to special requests; effectively communicates (written and verbal) product features
• Maintains store shelves by observing displays of company products; removing damaged or freshness-dated products; tidying store shelves; providing optimum display of products
• Maintains inventory by restocking shelves with products from inventory; observing inventory levels; prompting store management to reorder when levels appear low; arranging for returns and credit for damaged products
• Completes call report by observing display and pricing of competitors' products
• Participate in a variety of customer-focused events, including weekend special events, demonstrations and promo events; assist stores with special promotions by setting up displays at aisle ends; checking daily on special promotions; observing customer reaction to special promotions; forwarding observations to management
• Maintains quality results by following the consultative sales approach and by fostering Petcurean's pet's first standard
• Enhances merchandising and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments
• Maintains technical knowledge by learning about products and trends, reading industry publications, and establishing personal networks

Other Duties

• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and do what's necessary to get the job done and complete other duties as required within the same scope and level

Qualifications

• 1 years of retail merchandising experience in an outside sales environment
• A University degree in business or marketing is considered an asset
• Proven knowledge of retail merchandising best practices
• Engaging and positive verbal and written communication skills, including superior communication and interpersonal skills
• Outgoing with a passion for people and pets
• Proven ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Proactive and solutions-focused customer service to our clients while being cost-sensitive;
• Ability to work with various departments on resolving customer issues and suggesting enhancements and the ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner proactively
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to work well in a team but also in a self-directed, independently environment
• Exemplary time management skills and an ability to work within a continually evolving environment

Administration

• Excellent computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Manages effective Return-On-Time-Investment (ROTI) for time and money spent in market
• Diligently maintain timely submission of charge-backs and promotional spend tracking
• Abide by Finance policies - submitting receipts on-time
• Providing timely and regular updates through ongoing performance management

Additional Qualifications

• Ability to lift and move 40 lb. bags of pet food frequently and repetitively
• Ability to stand and be on your feet for long periods of time
• Valid passport with unrestricted international travel
• Appropriate home office space to effectively work from home
• Must own a personal vehicle suitable for business purposes
• Must hold an unrestricted driver's license in the Province/State that they will be working
• Must have a driving record that has no more than three (3) violations in the last five (5) years; no suspensions or prohibitions of any kind in the past five (5) years; and no more than one (1) "at-fault" accident in the past three (3) years
• Applicants must not have criminal charges or convictions related to their employment position. US Applicants must not have criminal charges or convictions related to their employment position for which they have not received a pardon. Petcurean assesses information about a criminal record on a case-by-case basis.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position, Tuesday to Saturday. The Employee shall perform their duties at such places and during such times as may be reasonably necessary, including before and after regular store hours, and some weekends. The position requires extensive domestic travel, with an expectation of 25-50% overnight travel.