What are the responsibilities and job description for the Professional Development Manager position at Gardner Inc.?
To be eligible for this role, the candidate must reside in the greater Salem, OR area.
Professional Development Manager
Location: Salem, OR -- Hybrid Role
Reports To: Sales Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
About Us:
Gardner has been serving clients across the country for over 75 years as one of the largest family-owned and operated Outdoor Power Equipment and Commercial Parts Distributors in the nation. Gardner facilities are strategically located in Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina and Oregon. Totaling over 900,000 square feet, the warehouses contain over 165,000 active SKUs and are capable of processing over 6,000 orders per shift. Our lines include Kohler Engines, Cub Cadet, Hustler Turf, DeWalt, Stanley Black & Decker (formerly MTD), Hydro-Gear, Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, Oregon Forestry and Outdoor Equipment Parts, Tuff Torq, Generac, SpeeCo and many more. Our goal is to provide the best possible value-added customer experience every day.
We are growing and adding to our team! We would love to have you come grow with us!
Job Role/Responsibilities:
- Develop detailed annual strategic plans for maximizing Pro business in Dealer markets, along with concise and measurable objectives that support that strategy.
- Facilitate end user demos with landscapers and municipalities. These demos can be set up with dealers or on your own but are critical to the growth of the brand.
- Develop relationships with landscapers and municipalities. These relationships will be used to show and demo new products and to assist in key learnings for future product development.
- Spearhead all training efforts with Sales Team as well as training dealers in the field, facilitate and participate in all Pro events.
- Assist field team and dealers in service, parts and product availability issues. PDM’s must be the point person for anything having to do with the Pro business.
- Identify and communicate marketing needs to SBD and Gardner management.
- Understand the competitive landscape within your region. PDM should be the expert for everything Pro for that region knowing the major competitive brands and programs to assist in closing business and training our product.
Other Duties:
- Develop a strong and knowledgeable working relationship with SBD, understand their requirements and programs.
- Assist and support Territory Managers with product training, customer onboarding, equipment demonstration, and dealer shows.
- Stay well informed on industry changes, participating where possible in professional organizations directly involved in the market.
- Share successes and ideas within the sales organization, stimulating cross-selling within our current brands of products and a creating strategic short-term and long-term plan for the territory.
- Efficiently utilize SBD CRM system.
- Assist in the accuracy and timeliness of expense reports and other defined reporting.
- Understand and work within a budget.
- Demonstrate CORE VALUES through behaviors and actions among internal and external partners.
- Pulling a trailer with equipment over 70% of the time. PDM will be responsible for meeting DOT requirements.
- Demoing product with end users. PDM will be out in the field and will need to show and demonstrate equipment properly.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; MBA is a plus. Equivalent experience may be considered.
- Minimum of 5 years' experience within the Outdoor Power Equipment Industry.
- Proven track record of success in business development, meeting or exceeding targets.
- Strong understanding of industry trends and market dynamics.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze complex business situations and develop effective solutions.
- Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
- Experience with CRM software and other business development tools.
- Must be willing to travel at least 50% of the time, by vehicle and/or air. Overnight travel required. Occasional weekend travel for trade shows.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Ability to Relocate:
- Salem, OR 97301: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Salem, OR 97301
