What are the responsibilities and job description for the UGEARS Sales Manager — United States position at UGEARS?
ABOUT UGEARS
Ugears is a Ukrainian manufacturer of unique wooden mechanical DIY models — self-propelled 3D puzzles powered by electronics, spring motors, and gear systems. Founded in Kyiv in 2014, Ugears has grown into a global brand present in 100 countries, with licensed collections including Harry Potter™ and Star Wars™. The company produces from its own facility in Europe and operates a US entity (Ugears USA Corp.) for Amazon, wholesale (B2B), and direct online sales. Following the decision to establish full direct distribution in the United States, Ugears is transferring all US sales channels — previously managed by US distributor— to its own team, operating from a 3PL warehouse in Florida.
ROLE SUMMARY
We are looking for a driven and experienced Sales Manager to own the entire US sales function from day one. You will be the primary contact for our independent sales rep network (~80–85 reps across regional groups), B2B retail accounts, and platform partners (Faire.com, MarketTime.com). This is a foundational role: you will inherit an established network, manage the transition from the previous distributor, and build Ugears' US commercial presence independently.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Sales Rep Network Management
• Serve as the main point of contact for ~80–85 independent sales representatives organized into regional groups.
• Negotiate and execute new contracts with rep groups that wish to continue selling Ugears products post-transition.
• Clarify and manage commission structures, payment terms, and ongoing rep relationships.
• Attend trade shows and support reps in showrooms where vendor presence is expected or mandatory.
• Onboard rep groups to updated tools and ordering procedures.
B2B Account Management
• Manage existing B2B retail accounts and act as the primary commercial contact for store buyers.
• Receive, process, and track orders submitted via email, the website, Faire.com, or MarketTime.com
• Communicate delivery timelines, stock availability, and promotional offers to accounts.
• Follow up on outstanding invoices; coordinate with internal accounting on payment terms.
Platform & Order Operations
• Manage the Faire.com US account.
• Manage the MarketTime.com portal: monitor incoming orders, verify promotions and discounts, and process as needed.
• Enter and reconcile orders in the order management system; ensure accurate fulfillment instructions to the 3PL warehouse.
• Issue invoices after shipment; maintain accurate records of billing addresses, SKUs, barcodes, and payment status.
• Identify opportunities to streamline order flow.
Transition & Setup
• Coordinate the smooth handover of all active customer accounts, orders, and rep relationships from the previous distributor.
• Ensure zero disruption to order flow during the transition period; maintain continuity for customers who are already placing orders.
• Work closely with Ugears HQ to provide US company registration details, contact info, and shipping addresses needed by partners.
• Communicate clearly with sales reps and clients about the new contact details, company name, and operational setup.
REQUIREMENTS
Must-Have
• 3 years of experience in B2B wholesale sales or sales management, preferably in toys, consumer goods, outdoor&hobby, sporting goods, or accessories.
• Proven experience working with independent sales rep groups or multi-channel distribution networks in the US.
• Strong understanding of US wholesale market dynamics: payment terms, commission structures, trade shows, showrooms.
• Hands-on with order management tools or CRM/ERP systems (Odoo experience is a plus).
• Comfortable with platforms like Faire.com and MarketTime.com
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize across multiple tasks, and make operational decisions without constant oversight.
Nice-to-Have
• Experience managing vendor accounts through a transition or acquisition.
• Familiarity with 3PL warehouse operations and drop-ship fulfillment.
• Physical presence in the US — strongly preferred by rep groups for time-zone alignment and trade show attendance.
• Experience with API integrations or process automation in order management.
WHAT WE OFFER
• A founding commercial role with full ownership of the US market.
• An established network of sales reps and retail accounts to build on — you are not starting from zero.
• Direct collaboration with the Ugears leadership team.
• Competitive compensation package; structure to be discussed based on experience.
• Opportunity to grow with the company as US operations scale.