Job offer: Retail Sales Specialist

US - NJ - Woodbridge, NJ

We are currently looking for a Retail Sales Specialist in the Woodbridge, NJ area to cover Retailers in NJ & PA. This position reports to the Merchandising Manager. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated professional with a culinary passion who will be a brand ambassador of the ZWILLING JA HENCKELS brands; ZWILLING JA HENCKELS, JA HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL, MIYABI, Staub and Demeyere in department and specialty stores.

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, product information, and partake in identifying business opportunities at the store level. 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 Merchandising 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 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:
o Brand History & Philosophy
o Product Knowledge
o Product Usage
o Merchandising
o Visual/Signing
o Selling Techniques

Tasks

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
• Create quarterly and seasonal financial goals by account with corresponding action plan with Director
• 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


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 on a regular basis.
• Fill in/locate stock and merchandise all fixtures as per ZWILLING/retailer standards.
• Notify appropriate persons of stock outages or opportunities


Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess
• 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
• Good experience with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Access to a computer with fast internet connectivity

Additional qualifications
• 2-3 years in merchandising or specialty store management preferred
• BA/BS Degree or equivalent work experience
• Overnight travel will be required
• Some weekend work will be required

Any questions? Please contact:

Karin Slade
E-Mail: kslade@zwillingus.com