Territory Manager

~ Recipes taste better than formulas. That's why we've been making handcrafted, all-natural pet food in our own kitchen for more than 25 years. ~ 

Our founder, Garth Merrick, started in 1988 with natural dog treats. One of his first was the Flossie, a hearty, healthy treat that also helps clean dogs' teeth. It was the first of its kind, but for us it was just the beginning.

After more than 20 years of innovation, we started the "Real Food Revolution" in 2012 by reformulating our Classic and Grain Free lines of dog food with new recipes that were unsurpassed in quality, nutrition and taste. And in 2013 the revolution continued with our Purrfect Bistro menu of 21 high-protein, grain free canned and dry cat food recipes.  

Position Overview  

The person hired for this position will represent Merrick Petcare; a major Natural Pet Food Organization in the above listed territory while working in a complex and dynamic business environment.

The primary responsibility of the position is to effectively promote company products through a fact-based selling approach while working to achieve company sales targets. The successful candidate will be responsible for the active management of the assigned territory while emerged in a high performance team environment as they collectively work towards achieving company sales goals. The Territory Sales Manager will sell Merrick's product portfolio in a prescribed manner to Independent and National Regional Retailers. 

Responsibilities  

The successful candidate will: 

• Develop local business plan to increase market share by outlining tactics, activities and resources.
• Demonstrate through knowledge of pet products, competitor products and product objectives.
• Utilize customer-focused selling techniques, continually assessing the knowledge of the customer and strategy to maintain high-level customer focus and customer knowledge of products.
• Maintain current approved protocol and promotional materials to be in included in sales presentations.
• Execute the promotional sales plan while staying within trade spend budget.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of independent channel distribution.
• Actively seek and display knowledge of key customers in territory.
• Develop and deliver informative sales presentations based on customer needs.
• Develop creative sales strategies to reach "hard-to-see" owners/"hard-to-work" accounts.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of distribution channels.
• Present compelling and educational product trainings.
• Positively impact sales in territory. 

Qualifications 

• Degree level required: None
• Preferred: BS Degree or higher
• Valid drivers license with a clean driving record
• Knowledge of computer systems, Microsoft word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook
• Management of Staff: None

The candidate will have the ability to:

•  Travel, 25-35% of the time
• Work weekends as required to build the business
• Work evenings as required to build the business

Desired Skills & Experience: 

• 2+ years of relevant outside sales experience
• Sales experience/persuasion skills
• Excellent written and verbal Communication
• Leadership, Planning & Organization, Self Motivation and Initiative
• Ability to understand and convey complex information
• Strong Negotiation skills 
• Ability to travel 6-9 nights per month, including some evening and weekend work