National Sales Manager - Independent Garden Centers

Description

COMPANY PROFILE

The Plant Company (TPC) is a newly established business expanding into its Phase 2 production facility, bringing us to 10 acres! Phase 2 encompasses a greenhouse facility along with a production barn. This is a state-of-the-art, controlled-environment greenhouse for the sustainable production of tropical indoor foliage plants of consistent and exceptional quality.

Are you a plant-loving, growth-oriented, driven sales professional who would love an opportunity to join an expanding company known for excellent quality and an extraordinary assortment? If so, TPC seeks our first National Sales Manager for Independent Garden Centers to represent our values and service our Independent Garden Centers nationally. Suppose you are a results-driven individual with a passion for the horticulture industry and a proven track record of success in national account management. In that case, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

The ideal candidate will want to help us continue our growth with a sense of pride in how you contribute to our success daily and as a crucial part of the successful Proven Winners leafjoy brand that is flourishing nationwide! Join an inclusive start-up culture where we run on EOS , believe in tackling issues with your valuable perspective on our team, and have many opportunities for career growth!

We Believe “together We Grow Stronger,” Which Applies To Employees, Vendors, And Customers. The Four Core Values That Identify This Company Are:

• Caring About People, Plants, and Process
• Growth Oriented
• Customer First
• "Can Do" Attitude

Job Summary

The National Sales Manager - Independent Garden Centers (IGCs) drives sales growth and fosters strong business relationships with IGCs nationwide. This role requires a highly process-oriented individual with a strong background in formal sales strategies and CRM management. The Sales Manager will oversee all aspects of the sales cycle, including formal prospecting with metrics-driven activities to generate deals, conducting pipeline meetings to advance open deals, and ensuring prompt conversion of opportunities to sales (Closed/Won/Lost). Additionally, they will develop and implement formal reorder nurturing processes with scheduled activities and metrics.

Customer service excellence is paramount, maintaining high satisfaction levels and fostering long-term customer loyalty. The ideal candidate will possess deep product knowledge, strong leadership skills to mentor the sales team, and excellent negotiation abilities to secure advantageous agreements. Participation in industry events and continuous monitoring of market trends will be essential to stay ahead in the competitive landscape of the IGC sector.

This role is an Ambassador of our Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO). What does that mean? You champion our CORE FOCUS, 5-YEAR TARGET, and MARKETING STRATEGY, which are found below.

CORE FOCUS

• Promote our Purpose to Revolutionize Indoor Plants.
• Promote our Niche as Exceptional Quality and extraordinary Assortment.

5-YEAR TARGET

• Increase sales in alignment with our Target: By the End of 2027, Proven Winners leafjoy is the most consumer-recognized indoor plant brand!

MARKETING STRATEGY

• Promote our 3 Uniques: Proven Winners leafjoy, Exclusive Product Mix, & Retail Ready

Duties & Responsibilities

Sales Strategy Development:

• Collaborate closely with the Customer Service Manager, Key Account Manager, and Territory Sales Representatives to develop and implement effective sales strategies tailored for Independent Garden Centers.
• Implement formal prospecting activities with metrics to drive deal generation.
• Monitor and analyze market trends within the independent garden center sector to identify growth opportunities and adapt sales plans accordingly.
• Collaborate with Marketing Manager and Proven Winners for effective strategic marketing plans and events tailored to IGCs.
• Responsible for booking tradeshows and developing product displays or booth designs with new product offerings in collaboration with the sales team and Proven Winners.
• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and sales plans specific to the Independent Garden Center segment.
• Provide historical IGS sales insight and data to develop effective sales forecasts and production plans for the following year.
• Conduct formal pipeline meetings to review open deals, activities, and metrics driving sales.
• Focus on promptly converting pipeline opportunities to sales (Closed/Won/Lost).
• Develop and execute formal reorder nurturing processes with scheduled activities and metrics.

Customer Relationship Management

• Optimize CRM tools as Subject Matter Expert (SME) to maintain detailed records of customer interactions, sales activities, and market insights.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders of Independent Garden Centers, acting as the primary point of contact for business inquiries and negotiations.
• Implement customer service activities with defined metrics to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.

Product Knowledge & Industry Experience

• Guide the sales and customer service teams' best practices, product knowledge, and customer engagement strategies.
• Provide merchandising and sales solutions for our IGC clients.
• Stay updated on industry trends, competitor activities, and the IGC sector market dynamics.

Sales Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor the sales team, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to achieve ambitious sales targets.

Negotiation Skills

• Negotiate contracts and oversee the execution of agreements, ensuring alignment with financial expectations and sales targets.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and efficiency gains in sales operations and customer service.

Industry Networking And Market Insight

• Participate in industry events, conferences, and tradeshows to expand network connections and stay informed about market developments.

Requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Process-driven: Demonstrated ability to implement and improve sales processes, leveraging CRM systems effectively.
• Product Knowledge: Deep understanding of plant and garden-related products, including market trends and consumer preferences.
• Sales Team Leadership: Experience leading and motivating a sales team to achieve sales targets.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation abilities focusing on securing beneficial agreements and partnerships.
• Customer Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with customers and stakeholders.
• Sales Strategy Development: Proven track record in developing and executing successful sales strategies, particularly in the B2B environment.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Horticulture, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in sales management, preferably within the garden center or related industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing key accounts and achieving sales targets.
• Proficiency in CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Bending, stooping, and squatting are involved in the scope of the role.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to work in various weather conditions, including humidity and various outdoor temperatures, and tolerate exposure to typical noises and smells associated with the greenhouse.
• Must be able to bend, twist, turn, climb, pull, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds frequently throughout the workday.

The Plant Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Plant Company is to extend employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.