District Sales Manager

Sun Gro Horticulture • Holtsville, NY

11d • $70,000 - $80,000 • Remote

About The Position

Sun Gro Horticulture is a North American horticultural company with more than 800 employees, supplying soilless growing mixes to greenhouse and nursery growers. The company describes its focus as investing in employees, fostering their knowledge and teamwork, and supporting their sense of accomplishment and contribution.

The District Sales Manager plans, organizes, and controls the total selling effort within an assigned territory. The role is accountable for achieving assigned area sales budgets and plans, meeting distribution objectives consistently, and gaining market share for the Sun Gro product line. The manager establishes objectives for the territory, distributors, and accounts and develops plans to achieve them, while monitoring territory sales expenses against company guidelines.

This is a remote position covering New York, with a particularly heavy focus on Long Island, and approximately 70% travel. Compensation includes a base salary of $70,000–$80,000, a sales bonus structure, and a company vehicle.

Requirements

• Ability to plan, organize, and monitor activities according to priorities and establish schedules, deadlines, or quotas.
• Effective listening, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain information and work with customers, the public, and coworkers.
• Decision-making ability, including evaluating alternatives and impacts and making decisions aligned with organizational goals.
• Ability to make accurate assessments of market conditions and trends and communicate them professionally.
• Honesty and diplomacy when managing multiple distributors in the territory.
• Ability and willingness to travel to cover territory needs and team activities.

Nice To Haves

• Education in horticulture or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Passion for horticulture and experience in lawn and garden retail or plant nurseries.
• Horticulture or agriculture certification, such as state or county courses or continuing education, is a plus.
• Greenhouse or nursery production experience is a plus.
• Experience with Independent Garden Centers or horticulture departments in hardware stores.

Responsibilities

• Deliver sales according to approved sales and marketing plans.
• Implement and control approved sales and marketing programs and procedures.
• Achieve assigned new-account and distribution objectives.
• Canvas the market, assess changing conditions, and help ensure Sun Gro is properly positioned.
• Maintain accurate and timely CRM records of sales activities and account notes.
• Maintain a territory profile covering competitors, potential customers, distributors, and other business conditions.
• Communicate with supervisors and relevant company departments about factors and activities affecting the territory.
• Participate in regional meetings to plan and analyze business activities.
• Handle customer requests, problems, and special situations related to product performance.
• Maintain company equipment to ensure it is safe and presents a professional appearance.
• Control assigned territory expense budgets.
• Submit sales and expense reports on time to meet monthly deadlines.
• Plan, organize, and monitor activities according to priorities; establish schedules, deadlines, or quotas; and develop results-oriented conclusions.
• Communicate effectively with customers, the public, and coworkers, including listening and explaining information, concepts, ideas, or instructions.
• Evaluate alternatives and the impacts of decisions, make and implement decisions compatible with organizational goals, and support decisions with evidence and rationale.
• Assess market conditions and trends accurately and convey findings professionally.
• Manage multiple distributors in the territory with honesty and diplomacy.
• Travel as needed to cover territory requirements and team activities.

Benefits

• Health insurance, including telemedicine, virtual health, FSA, HCSA, and other benefits
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Health Spending Account
• Employee Support and Mental Wellness
• Short-term disability
• 401k match
• Paid vacation
• Floating days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Engagement Events
• Awards and Recognition
• Tuition reimbursement
• Service Awards
• Employee Perks & Discounts
• Sales bonus structure
• Company vehicle

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed