Wholesale Sales Manager

SUMMARY:  

The Wholesale Sales Manager is a strategic leader responsible for driving the growth and profitability of the wholesale division. This role involves developing and executing comprehensive wholesale strategies that align with overall business objectives, while managing relationships with key distributors and retail partners. The Wholesale Manager will analyze market trends and customer needs to identify new business opportunities and optimize product offerings. By fostering strong partnerships and ensuring exceptional service, the manager will enhance customer satisfaction and retention. This role also includes overseeing inventory management, sales forecasting, and performance metrics to ensure efficient operations and maximize revenue. The Wholesale Manager will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing and supply chain, to ensure seamless execution of wholesale initiatives and drive sustainable growth in a competitive market.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The Company reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.   All work is to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with Company standards.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Strategy Development: Create and implement comprehensive wholesale strategies to drive sales growth and enhance market share.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key wholesalers, distributors, and retail partners to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• Market Analysis: Conduct market research to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive landscape, adjusting strategies as needed to capitalize on insights.
• Sales Forecasting: Prepare accurate sales forecasts and budgets, analyzing performance against targets to inform decision-making and strategy adjustments.
• Performance Monitoring: Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of wholesale strategies and make data-driven improvements.
• Product Development: Collaborate with product development and marketing teams to ensure that wholesale offerings meet customer needs and market demand.
• Contract Negotiation: Negotiate contracts and agreements with wholesalers and distributors, ensuring favorable terms for the organization while maintaining strong partnerships.
• Customer Service Oversight: Ensure exceptional customer service standards are met, addressing any issues or concerns promptly to maintain strong relationships.

COMPETENCY:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; develops alternative solutions.
• Customer Service - manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; meets commitments.
• Interpersonal - focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills.
• Written Communication – demonstrates proficiency in writing clear and concise proposals and technical documents.
• Business Acumen - understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition.
• Technical knowledge – demonstrates technical proficiency within industry segment; continually develops skills and competencies necessary to fulfill job requirements.
• Diversity - shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.
• Ethics - treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
• Dependability - takes responsibility for own actions; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Initiative - takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.
• Judgment - displays willingness to make timely decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
• Motivation - demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals; demonstrates a passion for the business.
• Professionalism - approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; accepts responsibility for own actions.                                   

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Industry Experience: strong past/present experience within finished lubricant and/or like-industry will provide valuable insights into market dynamics and customer needs.
• Experience: Proven track record of 7-10 years in wholesale management or sales, with a strong understanding of the wholesale distribution process.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the specific industry (e.g., consumer goods, fashion, electronics) and its market dynamics.
• Sales and Negotiation Skills: Strong sales acumen with demonstrated experience in negotiating contracts and managing relationships with distributors and retailers.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends to inform strategic decisions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of effectively engaging with clients, partners, and internal teams.
• Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills to oversee multiple initiatives and ensure timely execution.
• Customer Focus: A customer-centric mindset with a commitment to providing exceptional service and building long-term relationships.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with inventory management software, CRM systems, and data analysis tools to track performance and optimize operations.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field. Military experience and/or an equivalent business related acumen will be considered as well.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write proposals and technical documents that conform to prescribed style and format.

MATH ABILITY:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference; to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume; and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to read and understand journal entries and the flow of information through a general ledger. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have demonstrated experience using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint. Salesforce is preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear and use hands. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands, arms, stoop, kneel, and crouch.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EOE.