Area Manager Trainee - Kearney, NE

Area Manager Trainee (Greater Kearney Area)

As a subsidiary of a Fortune 100 company with growth opportunity, we are hiring an Area Manager Trainee to provide support for at least two Area Managers in the area with the goal of becoming an Area Manager.  Will also have the opportunity to see other areas while covering for time off as needed.  This position will assist with growing sales in the area while assisting our customers with making their business more successful!      

Location:  This trainee position will generally focus on current and prospective customers within 1 hour of Kearney, Nebraska, but will cover for Area Managers farther out as needed.  The ideal candidate will live within this territory. 

General Focus Areas:

• 50% of time working with local Area Managers
• 30% of time assisting in the office with Inside Sales and/or the Front Counter
• 20% of the time covering remote Area Managers as needed (will involve overnight says, generally for a full week at a time)

Position Purpose: Responsible for learning about the development of independent account business, with emphasis on overall profitability through both new sales and account penetration. Promote and sell company branded products and meet new brand sales objectives. May also support customer service activities for regional and/or national chain customers, thereby increasing visibility of the company in the marketplace and maximizing market share.  Functions as a team member within the department and organization, as required, and performs any duty assigned to best serve the company.

Major Functional Responsibilities:

• Generates additional business through analyzing sales territory and individual customers; samples products with existing and potential customers; plans general sales strategy including time and territory management; plans sales approach with individual customers; and conducts effective sales presentations.
• Grows sales and profit margins on an ongoing basis to meet established sales and margin goals.
• Sets up new customer accounts by determining pricing; works with Credit Department for initial authorization; other center personnel for scheduling order-taking, deliveries, etc. Performs initial follow-up work with customer ensuring delivery and product satisfaction.
• Ensures customer satisfaction by providing an exemplary level of service by working closely with other center personnel to coordinate efforts to prevent and resolve customer problems. May be personally responsible for making deliveries in emergency situations.
• Builds additional business with current customers through product penetration in order to maximize profitability of individual accounts.
• Minimizes accounts receivable problems by monitoring accounts for compliance with credit terms and follows up on any problems.
• Maintains awareness of pricing trends within sales territory, particularly on market driven/commodity products, to ensure competitive pricing.
• Covers vacations in areas assigned as well as other locations if needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Education/Training/Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience is required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; preferably in Business, Sales, Marketing, or related field
• 6 months of related experience preferred

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

• Frequent: Standing, Walking, Sitting, Grasping, Talking, Hearing, Repetitive Motions, Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination
• Occasional: Lifting, Carrying

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Office

Travel Requirements

• Estimated to be 75%

Freedom To Act

Work is closely managed and reviewed for accuracy and adequacy. Follows specific, outlined, and detailed directions.

Problem Complexity and Problem-Solving Timeframes

Provides resolution to problems that are readily identifiable with limited scope and are resolved in accordance with standard practices, procedures, applications or routines. Problem/Task resolution timeframe: The majority of tasks typically take one to two days to resolve.

Level of Supervision Received

Under immediate supervision, performs assigned tasks only as instructed, subject to regular check of

performance.

Impact

Failure to accomplish results can normally be overcome without significant effect on the organization.

Contact with Others

Contacts are primarily with direct supervisor and others in group or department to give and receive information.