Job Information
Dairy Farmers of America Director, Sales in Santa Ana, California
Job Description
Oversee the development, growth, and management of customer accounts, including sales into the strategic/key accounts as directly assigned. Guide and manage the sales function and any aspect, including tactical activities, that relate to assigned customer accounts to optimize profitability and operational efficiency. Build new relationships and develop business based on customer needs and market trends in the industry. Function as a go-to resource for the sales managers and team members for coaching, consulting, and modeling solutions selling strategies and techniques. Is accountable for business processes, team development, and management of sales metrics to ensure success. Manage multiple sales teams and/or areas such as sales support, sales administration, customer service, or other sales related teams or work functions.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Guide, manage, and develop sales managers. Identify and develop up-and-coming talent on the sales team and in the organization to ensure a robust internal talent pool for future opportunities. Ensure superb sales training process for onboarding new sales team members and developing current team. Provide coaching by working through solutions for real scenarios with customers
Identify gaps in account plans and support team members with planning and execution
Teach and utilize a “solutions selling” approach drawing from organizational strengths and capabilities:
Determine customer needs, problems, insights, and strategy
Identify, clearly outline, and present the opportunity details including short- and long-term value to DFA
Drive opportunities to commercialization internally, and most critically, “close” with the customer
Drive to exceed budgeted volume and margin targets to help ensure the achievement of financial targets
Personally lead and manage sales efforts with directly assigned strategic and key customers
Maximize the use of CRM (such as Salesforce.com) to manage customer pipelines and track customer activity, which demonstrates high levels of service to the customer and ultimately leads to faster speed-to-market on winning new business. Ensure teams gather strategic and tactical insights though call reports
Manage sales metrics of the team and ensure the metrics are met for overall success
Ensure the team performs variance analysis of actual results against expected results and take action to address gaps in performance with team members
Continuously improve the customer mix by working with the sales team to develop existing customers and determining new customer targets based on segmentation criteria
Use company-supported systems to ensure self-sufficiency in creating, managing, and reporting to leadership
Apply strong knowledge of DFA’s capabilities including understanding the functional and technical aspects of the products and how DFA’s capabilities differentiate us from others in the industry
Foster connected customer relationships at various organizational levels across multiple functions (R&D, marketing, purchasing, quality assurance, operations) and facilitate the growth of customer counterpart relationships within DFA
Listen to customers to learn their future needs and anticipate new areas of business development for DFA
Identify new markets and the need for new products; initiate action plans to increase share of market with existing and new accounts
Provide innovative ideas to customers by understanding their brands, platforms and strategies
Continually develop a value-added sales pipeline that will enhance company returns
Work closely with other teams to provide exceptional customer care through the entire sales cycle
Work with urgency to resolve customer issues and problems in a transparent manner with DFA cross-functional stakeholders. Elevate and help resolve gaps with systems or processes to improve overall effectiveness
Develop, deploy, and manage to customer account plans
Ensure the sales team follows established sales processes (account/regional planning, pre-call, post-call, insights gathering, opportunity pipeline, execute, close, report)
Assist in strategic planning to maximize the division’s opportunities with other DFA divisions relative to competitors, market conditions, customer situation, and our internal position
In addition to sales, may also manage sales operations, sales administration, customer service, and/or related functions (e.g., pricing, pricing analysis, trade spending, trade spending analysis, tactical brand marketing, package development, financial planning and analysis)
The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required
Requirements
Undergraduate degree in business, sales, marketing, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
10 or more years of progressive sales or related experience with 2+ years of management experience
Proven career advancement and record of growing profitable sales results at a senior sales level
Experience in the retail, dairy, consumer packaged goods/foods or related industry. Experience in Extended Shelf Life/Aseptic, preferred.
Certification and/or License – may be required during course of employment
Complete knowledge of sales techniques and the company, products, and application
Understanding of the customer’s strategic objectives
Strong people management and leadership skills
Strong executor who has the ability to assist with strategy development to drive business performance
Able to successfully develop and execute sales strategies that drive business results
Able to coordinate and integrate work efforts cross-functionally
Able to influence people in their opinions, attitudes, or judgments
Able to demonstrate successful problem solving for critical business issues
Able to adapt and refocus approach situationally or holistically to meet goals and objectives
Able to demonstrate excellent customer service skills and solve complex customer demands and problems
Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
Able to organize time, energy, and resources effectively to achieve goals (i.e., organizational skills)
Able to deliver on commitments and deadlines
Must be able to read, write and speak English
Able to travel 1-2 times per quarter.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay Range $165000 - 170000 / year