Regional Sales Manager – Greetings Cards

Regional Sales Manager – Greetings Cards

Filed Based - South East

Competitive Salary + Additional Benefits              

My client are a market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards and operates a Franchise Network which covers the UK and Ireland. The company supply over 10,000 outlets from independents to national retailers.

The company are now in a position to hire a Regional Sales Manager in the South East to join their team. The region in which they will cover will include; Kent, Surrey, London, Sussex and Norfolk.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing a region of between 10 and 15 self-employed Franchisees, giving ongoing training and support in the field and in house, to provide first class service and sales growth in line with the Franchise agreement and Company objectives. This requires effective accompaniments, good communication, analytical skills, determination to succeed and an empathetic attitude. Franchisees service Independent stores, members of Buying Groups and National Account outlets.
• Responsible for Regional Account development including prospecting, sales presentations, attending regional shows, developing planned displays, agreeing seasonal requirements, stock uplifts, fixture installations, promotions and advertising. Communicating information, not only to their teams but also to adjacent regions and internal customers. The number of Regional Accounts varies depending on size of region and the number of franchisees therein.
• Promotes the sale of outgoing Franchisee Territories, train and supports new Franchisees to ensure they meet the standards of the business
• Accompany Franchisees as necessary and undertake reviews to monitor sales performance, profitability and to ensure the Franchise is being run within the terms of our agreement. Conduct ongoing mentoring to ensure we provide the best possible service and sales to our retailers. Mutually agree ongoing action plans to develop the territory, including investment in staff, business location, and best practices.
• Manage a portfolio of regional accounts undertaking all aspects of management including, pricing, planned displays, seasonal requirements, installation deadlines and to communicate information to all relevant departments. Achieve targets in line with plan
• Attend regional Trade shows and events – communicating with Buying Group Regional Managers seeking opportunities to increase sales to achieve plan
• Facilitate the sale and handover of any franchise territory within the region.  Includes Business Audits, Stock Counts and acting as arbitrator at the final handover.  On introduction of replacement Franchisee support a structured training program on all aspects of the company’s operation including stock ordering, sales, training, HHT and back office systems, ordering, merchandising and development of outlets to maximise potential within the guidelines of the Franchise manual.

Experience Required:

• Man management in sales environment                                   
• Regional Account Sales experience                                                              
• Franchisee management (not essential)                    
• Greeting card knowledge (preferable)                             
• Numerical / P&L based knowledge & experience