CONTRACT SALES MANAGER - WEST COAST, USA

Carl Hansen & Son is seeking a seasoned sales management professional to join our US team to develop our contract sales focusing on Architectural Design Community for contract and hospitality projects. Carl Hansen & Son is one of the largest Danish furniture brands with global reach and represents over 100 years of furniture history with respect and passion for quality craftsmanship. Experience in selling high quality, design-driven furnishings and a passion for good design is the ideal background to excel and enjoy this role.

THE ROLE

• Represent Carl Hansen & Son on the West Coast, preferably based in San Francisco, focusing on the A&D Community for contract and hospitality projects, as well as key contract dealers and end users.
• Develop relationships with key design firms and accounts, through project identification, product placement, product presentations, educational opportunities, social events, and social media.
• Develop full understanding for Carl Hansen & Son company values and history, and positioning of the brand and products for key target markets. Develop storytelling and in-depth knowledge of product and respective designers.
• Track sales activities and forecasting through CRM, keep customer list updated and use CRM tool for follow up and internal communications.
• Liaison for Steelcase local representation to include sales strategy and communications.
• The position reports to the President of Carl Hansen & Son North America, headquartered in NYC.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in development of yearly business plan and create action plan for self-generated account development and sales growth;
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of the company’s history, design, construction and all details of Carl Hansen & Son products;
• Events, marketing activities for relationship building (including alliance vendor sales calls and events, visits to NY and/or DK).
• Identify and grow new accounts through networking and business development activities.
• Team Sales participation with US Sales team (and global) to target national/global accounts.
• Active participation in regional and international shows when feasible.
• Involvement in industry organizations for relationship building.
• Understand competitive products and product positioning

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to follow and be involved in a project from specification through completion, including after sale activities
• Strong, effective and open communication skills with specifiers and the entire CHS team
• Comfortable presenting to large and small groups
• Understanding of budgets and expense reporting
• Ability to work on your own and go where the business is, self sufficient

EDUCATION AND REQUIREMENTS

• 5+ years with experience in contract sales, preferably the design industry
• Experience in luxury products sales, ideally interior products, furnishings, furniture or lighting
• Track record of selling success, at least 5 years of sales experience.
• Experience with CRM tools, managing budgets and goal setting.
• Experience working on large projects, looking at plans
• 4 year college degree
• Travel can be up to 30-50% of the time in certain seasons. Position is based in our San Francisco showroom and is a hybrid position. Most travel is west coast related.

APPLICATION
We are looking forward to receiving your application.

We will be performing interviews ongoing in the process and look to fill the position as soon as possible.

CONTACT
To apply for this role, please upload your cover letter and resume.