Region Distribution Manager - Automotive Finishes

This person can site anywhere in the Northeast Region near continental US near an airport.

Job duties involve contact with customers, which may include minors; and access to cash and other payment methods, electronic equipment, personal information, store merchandise and other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company's customers, staff, employees, vendors, contractors, and the general public.

• Develop plans to increase distribution market share within assigned sales region.
• Support Territory Sales Managers and Area Sales Managers throughout the direct jobber and warehouse distribution channels within your assigned region and act as a conduit between internal and external distribution customers and team members.
• Identify targets and opportunities that lead to capturing and/or converting these opportunities with the field TSM's and ASMs.
• Conduct monthly sales meetings with distribution partners to develop strong support for our products and initiatives that ultimately translate into increasing our distribution market share.
• Lead the distribution sales effort on new product introductions, programs, and/or promotions to drive sales growth through our distribution partners within your assigned regions.
• Collect and record reliable customer information utilizing Sherwin-Williams platforms, including but not limited to Salesforce CRM.
• Conduct sales calls to prospective and existing distribution customers, stores, warehouse distributors, and end-users. Through the sales process, identify the customer's needs and develop solutions to profitably grow sales.
• Develop a regular sales call schedule to ensure that the needs and expectations of the customer are met.
• Develop sales presentations and promotions to facilitate growth in existing accounts and to open new accounts.
• Maintain discipline in pre-call planning, and daily and weekly activities, to ensure time is maximized. Conduct sales calls accordingly.

Customer Service

• Assisted the Sherwin-Williams field team and customer in setting up and implementing mixing systems.
• Able to assist with product returns, which would require lifting 50-60 pounds at a time.
• Assist with opening new stores, when needed, which would require lifting 50-60 pounds on a recurring basis during any one day and up to 100 pounds on occasion.
• Allow self to be readily accessible to customer for advice/assistance through use of the Company issued communication devices.
• Communicate to customers about current sales promotions, new product development, etc.
• Build/manage relationships with existing and potential customers/personnel.
• Identify potential problems and work through them with the sales support network.
• Give immediate attention to customer comments and complaints and advise the National Sales Manager of such.
• Address backorder issues as needed.
• Support customers with technical, sales, and marketing assistance as needed.
• Handle customer complaints within lines of authority and manage the process to resolution.
• Assist customers in determining inventory levels.
• Learn formal/informal networks of end-users, stores, and warehouse distributors.
• Accompany and assist our distributor sales force in selling/marketing of automotive refinishing products.

Additional Duties

• Communicate and report to the region sales director on all distribution activity within your assigned region.
• Provide feedback, collaborate, and work with the national distribution team members on increasing market share within your assigned region and/or support for national opportunities.
• Conduct competitive product comparisons, identify current competitors' strengths and weaknesses, and determine our competitive advantage.
• Familiarize yourself with all products in the Automotive Distribution channel, including their application and preparation.
• Obtain approval for product placement plans with appropriate people (e.g., end user, jobber, warehouse distributor, national sales manager, region sales director, etc.)
• Access product/technical information to support customers' application requirements.
• Complete expense reports at least on a bi-weekly basis.

Required:
* High school education or equivalent required.

Preferred:
* Prefer a bachelor's in a business/marketing related field.
* Prior sales experience in related industry preferred

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
Required:
* Knowledge of product technology and product application usually obtained through one or more years' experience in the Automotive Division or other Company position or related experience in the Automotive Refinishing Industry is preferred.
* Must have working knowledge of Word, Excel and Power Point computer skills, and proficient with the use of general web-based applications.
* Ability to work all scheduled hours as needed.
* Employee must have a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record from the State Motor Vehicle Bureau.
* Employee must be licensed to operate vehicle in accordance with state law including commercial driver's license, if required.
* If usage of employee's owns vehicle is required, employee must obtain appropriate insurance as defined by Corporate Policy.
* Must be willing to accept the terms of the Company's Business Ethics Policy and remain in compliance of the Policy.

Preferred:
* Sales experience in coatings or related field is preferred.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: (TIME SPENT AWAY FROM HOME OR OTHER TYPICAL OFFICE LOCATION)

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