Manager, Channel Sales (Gladiator Brand)

Whirlpool•Benton Harbor, MI

62d

About The Position

Whirlpool is currently seeking qualified candidates for a Manager, Channel Sales opening to join our Gladiator sales organization. Gladiator is a leading brand of storage and organization systems and solutions for the garage and commercial use. The Manager Channel Sales will be responsible for leading and growing the Home Depot and Costco businesses for the Gladiator brand. This candidate will own the customer relationship, including buyer and other key contact management, achieving sales targets, forecasting, promotional management and other strategic development. The role requires an innovative, visionary leader who can grow our Gladiator business and the overall business for our trade customers. This candidate will have a solid background in Ecommerce Sales, with a track record of successful account management for national customers. Communicating and building relationships at all levels of an account, both internally and externally is important to be successful in this role.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
2+ years of experience in sales account management, merchandising or category management

Nice To Haves

MBA
Experience in Ecommerce sales
Experience with Big Box, Club, or key regional retailers
Experience selling durable goods or related consumer goods
Experience developing promotional plans
Ability to work successfully in a collaborative key account environment with a proven track record of successful sales and business results
Analytical skills and experience working with financial data, forecasting and analyzing POS data, and performing business case analysis
Exceptional communicator with strong presentation skills, interpersonal and relationship building skills
Competitive attitude, willingness to work in a fast-paced, high pressure environment and desire to win
Proven thought leadership capabilities, creative thinking skills with ability to drive change
Strong consumer focus
Bias for action; contributing to strategy development, not waiting to be told what to do

Responsibilities

Own the creation and execution of the Gladiator sales strategy and within responsible accounts/channels
Act as an expert in designated channels by having thorough knowledge of competition, market trends, suggested retail pricing and promotional opportunities and threats. Communicate this knowledge internally to appropriate departments to maximize selling opportunities
Manage delivering key strategic initiatives across trade customer functions, corporate and stores
Responsible for hitting monthly sales plan and increasing Sales volume within responsible accounts/channels
Own Outlook and Forecasting processes for the channel
Develop joint business plans with responsible accounts for in store and ecommerce sales
Expand product listings and points of distribution within the current customer base in stores and online
Manage internal relationships with Product Development, Operations, Supply Chain, Brand and Finance
Represent voice of trade customer to product team to guide innovation and quality improvements
Closely manage the execution of Gladiator promotional plan and allowance budget
Manage cross functional process partners on sales driven projects such as Product Line Reviews (PLRs), innovation/new product launches, and distribution expansion opportunities
Be able to travel 10-20% of the time

Benefits

Generous benefits package
Whirlpool employee discount
fitness & educational reimbursement programs
kitchenettes
Beautiful, recently renovated office space
free coffee
biking/walking trails
access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).
Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.