District Sales Manager for Percussion - West

Description

At Conn Selmer, we're passionate about music and dedicated to producing the highest-quality instruments for musicians of all skill levels. As a member of our organization, we seek candidates who possess the following values: Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Inclusivity, and Innovation. Please see our Conn Selmer website (www.connselmer.com) for more information about who we are.

Conn Selmer/Ludwig is seeking a high-performing District Sales Manager to lead dealer relationships, drive sales growth, and cultivate demand in west region of the United States. This role requires a unique combination of strategic sales acumen and a passion for building long-term partnerships across the combo percussion category.

We’re looking for a proven sales professional who thrives on building lasting relationships while driving measurable sales growth. The ideal candidate brings a mix of strategic thinking, strong communication, and passion for the combo music industry.

The District Sales Manager is the primary business driver for an assigned territory, responsible for developing and executing sales growth strategies that support dealers.

Success in this role requires a deep understanding of the local markets within assigned territory, strong account planning, consistent and proactive communication, and expert-level product knowledge to serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to Conn Selmer/Ludwig dealers.

The DSM collaborates with the Director of Sales to align territory strategies, build strong relationships, generate leads, uncover opportunities, and close sales to grow market share and ensure Ludwig’s long-term success in the territory.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic territory planning to drive sales growth, including promotions, and sales initiatives across assigned accounts
• Plan and execute impactful sales events, trade shows, and territory activities
• Meet or exceed KPIs and strategic growth targets by owning and executing your territory plan
• Act as the primary liaison for all independent dealers in the region, ensuring alignment on programs, promotions, shared goals, and mutual growth opportunities
• Conduct biannual business reviews with key dealers to identify growth strategies and category improvement areas
• Deliver engaging product and sales training for dealers using a mix of digital and in-person formats
• Maintain accurate CRM data, including trip logs, dealer feedback, leads, opportunities, and competitive insights
• Analyze and report territory performance against monthly and yearly KPIs, identifying areas of opportunity
• Embrace a continuous learning mindset by participating in all management-sponsored meetings and trainings
• Collaborate with the Director of Sales to drive inventory reduction strategies using current and alternative sales channels.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Music Business, Music Education, or Music Performance
• A successful track record of sales in the music industry, with stability and experience specifically in the percussion combo category
• A relationship builder who earns trust through consistent support, collaboration, and follow-through with dealers
• A growth-minded strategist who brings energy, initiative, and accountability to territory development
• Skilled at balancing long-term partnerships with short-term performance targets
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple timelines, projects, and cross-functional initiatives
• Experience using CRM systems (Microsoft Dynamics CE, Salesforce.com, or similar) to track territory activity, leads, and outcomes
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), with a working knowledge of financial principles including margin analysis and sales forecasting
• Exceptional communication skills—verbal, written, listening, and presentation
• Creative and analytical thinker with sound judgment, financial acumen, and the ability to operate effectively in complex or cross-cultural situations
• A self-starter with the initiative to challenge the status quo, think outside the box, and deliver results independently and as part of a team
• Confident working with all levels of an organization and capable of shaping strategy while ensuring timely, efficient execution
• Must be able to travel independently up to 50% of the time, including overnight and occasional weekend travel
• Ability to stand for extended periods, sometimes up to 12 hours, during trade shows, events, and dealer visits
• Ability to sit for long durations while driving or working at a desk
• Must be able to lift and transport up to 50 lbs for event setup and teardown, including instrument displays and promotional materials