Field Sales Manager / BF8644 Job in Cranbury 08512, New Jersey Us

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, television networks and the Company’s Internet Site, www.scholastic.com .

Position Description:

Scholastic Book Fairs works with schools across the country to host more than 120,000 annual reading events, connecting more than 55 million children with great books each year. Book Fairs foster enthusiasm for reading, while helping to build school and classroom libraries by providing students, teachers and parents access to thousands of books and educational products at affordable prices.

We are looking for a Field Sales Manager to:
Field Sales Management

  1. Hire, develop, motivate, and retain staff of Field Sales Associates and Book Fair Merchandisers through setting clear performance goals (daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonally), coaching, developing, and reviewing performance.

  2. Strategically analyze Field Sales Territories/Fairs/Schools by prioritizing the schedule and services to be performed in an effort to deploy field associates in a way that maximizes coverage and effectiveness.

  3. Build a customer-focused team and create customer loyalty by understanding customer requirements, expectations, and needs. Deliver on customer commitments, help to remove barriers to customer service, and ensure exceptional customer experiences.

  4. Participate (plan, attend, develop a relationship with Chairperson, etc.,) in the high revenue Fairs for the region to ensure revenue growth and customer satisfaction.

  5. Conduct ride-along visits with Field Associates to schools/fairs to gain a clear understanding of performance and training needs within the territory. FSM to provide coaching and support in an effort to achieve the desired results.

  6. Partner with regional management team to plan, schedule, coordinate, and observe (where possible) the Book Fair Workshops for all locations within the region.

  7. Manage the region’s convention and event requirements to ensure events are properly scheduled, conducted, and staffed.

Leadership Management

  1. Lead through Scholastic’s mission; create vision and inspire others to understand Scholastic’s culture, values, and goals, using this knowledge as framework to influence performance indicators.

  2. Develop expertise in the Book Fair business including customer segments, Fair types, product mix, merchandising, and programs.

  3. Seek and encourage new approaches to organizational and regional opportunities; facilitate the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.

  4. Build teamwork with direct reports by communicating important and relevant information to the team and ensuring understanding. Involve others in team decisions, and model personal commitment to the team.

  5. Lead and manage all training initiatives within the field sales team. Conduct ongoing training, including sales skills and Book Fair workshop presentation skills to increase productivity.

  6. Maintain business confidentiality relative to pricing, inventory, promotion, competition, distribution, staffing, customers, and financial data.

Functional Expertise/Personal Effectiveness

  1. Remain current on company information, using the Intranet and Internet to lead the team to improve customer experiences.

  2. Use company computer applications and sales processes therein to obtain thorough and updated customer information.

  3. Work effectively in situations involving shifting priorities and rapid change, demonstrating ability to cope well with trying circumstances.

  4. Attend conventions, exhibits, open houses, etc., as needed.

Our generous full time benefits include career opportunities, competitive salaries and comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription) as well as 401(k) and pension plans and a 50% employee discount!

Qualifications:

JOB REQUIREMENTS

  1. BA/BS degree in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, or related field.

  2. Three (3) or more years of proven successful management experience in retail or district/territory sales or events management.

  3. Proficiency in marketing and merchandising strategy development and execution.

  4. Proficiency with MS Office software.

  5. Experience with Sales Force Automation/Customer Relationship Management Technology (experience with PeopleSoft CRM a plus).

  6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills including presentation skills.

  7. Frequent overnight travel is required.

  8. Valid driver’s license with acceptable MVR (0 at fault accidents and 1 violation or 1 at-fault accident in last 5 years and no violations) and passing background check.

  9. Must be able to train, motivate, and coach Field Sales Representatives to achieve budgeted goals.

EOE/AA/H/V/DFWP