Retail Sales Specialist- Part Time

OBJECTIVE:

The Retail Sales Specialist will be a self-motivated professional with a culinary passion who will be a brand ambassador of, and selling consultant for, the ZWILLING JA HENCKELS brands; ZWILLING JA HENCKELS, HENCKELS, MIYABI, Staub, Ballarini and Demeyere in department and specialty stores. This is a Part Time position.

SCOPE:

The ZWILLING Retail Sales Specialist works with the retailers and ZWILLING Corporate to maintain and update existing stores by providing product knowledge via demonstrations & training and merchandising assistance to increase sales and profitability. The Retail Sales Specialist will ensure stores reach sales goals by identifying challenges and business opportunities at the store level and take necessary actions in cooperation with store staff. A clear understanding of the retailers needs along with ZWILLING’S objectives is of the utmost importance along with gaining the confidence and respect of the store managers, store associates and district management.  The Retail Sales Specialist will supply ZWILLING and the retailers with pertinent information for further development and growth of the ZWILLING brands at retail.

GOALS:

• Increase sell-through, where applicable sell-in, and profitability by store
• Use comprehensive knowledge of accounts needs, voids and opportunities to provide direction to maximize business
• Achieve optimal presentation at retail while maintaining brand merchandising and visual integrity
• Train store staff on the following:
• Brand History & Philosophy
• Product Knowledge & Use and Care
• Merchandising
• Selling Techniques

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to Merchandising Manager

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communication

• Develop effective communication channels with ZWILLING corporate office and retailers
• Develop and maintain relationships with key players (i.e. all levels of store and district management) as a way to utilize relationships as a key resource to accomplish goals and store objectives

• Business Management

• Prioritize branches and initiate effective travel schedule using knowledge of account sales and individual store needs
• Understand competitive set in the retail arena ZWILLING trades in – i.e. competitive pricing and product knowledge
• Manage territory regarding opportunities, challenges and suggestions.  Partner with sales to communicate information in timely manner.
• Monitor retailer markdown and POS activity, report to National Account Managers
• Maintain visual standards set forth by retailers and ZWILLING and provide existing visual inventory with upgrade recommendations

• Sales

• Ensure stores sales goals set by the National Account Managers are met.
• Analyze store performance and identify growth opportunities within existing assortment
• Identify additional products that could be opportunities for the account
• Work with store management and associates to capitalize on these opportunities.
• Notify appropriate persons of stock outages.

• Training / Demonstration

• Train store staffs and management on all ZWILLING brands product knowledge and usage techniques – including new product introductions.
• Schedule and hold culinary demonstrations and events for retail customers / end-use consumers according to individual account and/or store needs.
• Coordinate participation in bridal and special events according to account needs.

• Point of Sale

• Negotiate/secure key floor placement, signage and visual enhancements.
• Merchandise ZWILLING brands to ensure optimum presentation on sales floor, maintaining visual account standards.
• Provide before/after merchandising, new product launch and event photos.
• Fill-in/locate stock and merchandise all fixtures as per ZWILLING/retailer standards.

PERKS:

• Flexible schedule
• Opportunities to travel, with paid hotel and food reimbursement
• Drive time and mileage paid

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A culinary passion!
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good presentation skills
• A basic retail math background
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Visual merchandising skills
• The ability and initiative to work independently
• Sales/retail experience preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Access to fast internet connectivity
• Must be able to lift 30lbs
• Must have reliable transportation
• 2-3 years in merchandising or specialty store management preferred
• BA/BS Degree or equivalent work experience
• Overnight travel will be required
• Weekend work will be required
• U.S. citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S. are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor at this time. 

ABOUT US:

For 290 years ZWILLING JA HENCKELS has delivered supreme quality, innovation and reliability across its many product lines. ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS is the gold standard for premium cutlery the world over. Marrying the tradition of expert German engineering and stainless steel know-how ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS has introduced flatware, cookware and kitchen tools. Today products by ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS are recognized globally as the symbol for the highest possible quality and function. Within the last decade, the ZWILLING Group has grown to include MIYABI Japanese cutlery, Staub French enameled cast iron cookware, Ballarini Italian cookware, and Demeyere stainless steel cookware. ZWILLING JA HENCKELS sells its products in over 100 countries with the help of twelve wholly owned subsidiaries.