Field Sales Executive - Retail, Milwaukee

Work Mode: Onsite

Location: Onsite – Milwaukee, WI (this role will be working directly onsite with our specific Home Depot retail partner(s) in this market area)

Opportunity

Responsible for achieving sales objectives for assigned Home Depot store(s) through direct selling, training, and merchandising. You will develop and maintain strong relationships with store associates as well as PRO customers to maximize sales of the Kohler and Sterling Brand portfolio of products. This position will enable you to develop selling, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills in preparation for advanced opportunities in Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain.

Specific Responsibilities

Meet or exceed sales objectives for assigned Home Depot store(s).
Develop strong relationships with Store personnel and high value PRO customers.
Deliver best in class sales and service to DIY and PRO customers in-aisle.
Support PRO Desk Associates and Outside Sales Reps (OSR) to increase sales to the PRO customer segment.
Identify high value PRO customers and increase Kohler’s share of Kitchen and Bath purchases
Schedule and deliver formal and informal trainings and demonstrations to educate stores associates, managers, and customers on Kohler solutions.
Maintain on-brand aesthetics of Kohler products and point of purchase (POP) materials. Downstock and proactively manage inventory levels to ensure product availability on the shelf to capture sales.
Support Merchandise Execution Team (MET) to ensure new product launches and resets are completed on-time as instructed.
Support and execute corporate Marketing initiatives, events, and trade shows.
Develop and leverage a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics to drive sales growth.
Communicate insights regarding competitive intelligence and market trends to Kohler Sales and Marketing partners
Monitor and analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Leverage insights to make better informed proposals and increase sales.
Complete all required Kohler Sales Training curriculum and leverage acquired skills to exceed expectations.

A day in the life:

A typical weekday as a Retail Sales Executive begins with arrival at the store at 6 am to support the professional contractor (PRO) who is purchasing and collecting the products they need to complete their projects for the day or week. Our Sales Executive will assist PROs and Pro Desk Associates at the retailer with product selection and loading to help them save time as they start their workday. Sales Executives will build relationships with repeat PRO customers, understanding the type of projects they support and unmet needs for which Kohler has solutions. Our Sales Executive will capture relevant PRO customer information in our Salesforce CRM system which can be used to prioritize, and target select customers as we seek to increase our share of wallet with key PRO customers.

As PRO traffic slows, Sales Executives will shift their focus to ensuring the aisles are ready for the next wave of customers. That includes confirming displays are set correctly, free of dust and debris, and having the appropriate Point of Purchase (POP) signage attached. This signage works as a silent salesperson when the Kohler Sales Executive isn’t present to answer customer questions and close the sale. Getting the aisles ready for the next wave of customers also includes restocking shelves with inventory. An empty shelf creates friction for the end customer as they wait for an associate to find inventory and may result in customers selecting a competitive product.

Now that the Kohler products are appropriately merchandised, our Sales Executive will pivot to training store associates. A well-trained associate can sell Kohler products even when our Kohler Sales Executive isn’t in the store. Store associates who serve as advocates for Kohler know the features and benefits of the Kohler assortment and use that knowledge to delight customers and drive sales. Typically, trainings are delivered in an informal manner in the various aisles of the store. Alternatively, our Sales Executive may schedule formal training with multiple stores associates at a given time for deeper product knowledge. In addition to presenting a PowerPoint presentation, our Sales Executive may conduct demonstrations with actual product or other selling tools provided to illustrate key features and benefits.

After training stores associates, our Sales Executive will focus efforts on directly selling to customers in-aisle. These customers may include PROs or Do It Yourselfers (DIY). Often, Sales Executives are assisting customers with product selection, demonstrating products, and helping with the loading of goods. Importantly, our Sales Executive will lead customers to the great selection of products in key focus categories such as Faucets, Toilets, and Bathing – ensuring customers get all the products they need for their full project and saving them a frustrating second trip to the store.

Finally, having engaged with associates and customers throughout the day, our Sales Executive will share key insights with members of the broader Kohler Sales and Marketing team. Feedback from the frontline is critical to understanding emerging trends, challenges in the field, and opportunities on which we can capitalize. Sales Executives will often share feedback informally via email or our Salesforce CRM system. However, there will also be opportunities for more formal sharing of insights to Sales and Marketing leadership to inform business decisions.

* Note: The schedule for working days and hours is dependent on the profile of the assigned store. Stores with heavy PRO traffic may require more weekday hours with early arrival while stores with heavy DIY traffic may require more weekend hours. The scenario above is for illustrative purposes only.

Skills/Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required. Experience in the home improvement channel preferred.
Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
Ability to work nights and weekends – Weekends will be required at different points throughout the year.
Ability to work in a retail environment full-time.
Must thrive in a direct selling environment and engage with a wide range of shoppers.
Comfortable with presentations and public speaking. Required to both conduct in-store training with store associates and present key insights to Kohler employees.
Ability to stand for the duration of shift except for meal and rest breaks
Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship or restrictions
Capable of lifting and transporting heavy items and requesting assistance as needed.
Capable of reaching and/or lifting overhead in addition to ascending/descending ladders to move product.
Capable of using small hand tools to assemble and build displays.
Applicant must be MS Office proficiency.
Applicant should be self-motivated and a team player with strong organizational skills

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Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.