Job Description

Job Title: Sales and Marketing Account Specialist – Team Sports

Position Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Sales and Marketing Account Specialist for our Team Sports Division. This person will drive growth and success up by recruiting athletic team and retail sports members and suppliers, managing supplier relationships, and negotiating beneficial buying programs. This role includes producing engaging trade shows, delivering impactful presentations, attending national trade shows, and analyzing industry trends. The Sales and Marketing Account Specialist - Team Sports will ensure CRM accuracy, foster innovation to improve member benefits, and leverage industry knowledge to create strategic opportunities. This position supports a cross-functional marketing team and higher-level account managers.

The ideal candidate is a high-energy, self-motivated individual with a strong desire to be a part of a successful team and has a knowledge and passion for team sports. This role requires an understanding of the sales process, relationship management, program negotiation, engaging communication skills, and the sporting goods industry.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Member and Supplier Recruitment:

• Proactively identify and recruit new athletic team and retail sports members and suppliers.
• Develop strategies to recruit new members and suppliers, showcasing the value of the buying group.
• Develop and build relationships with new prospects and existing members and suppliers, ensuring sustained engagement.
• Actively promote the group’s initiatives, mission, and benefits at industry events, trade shows, and networking opportunities.

2. Supplier Management and Program Negotiation:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for suppliers, managing relationships to maximize group benefits.
• Negotiate supplier agreements including competitive pricing, rebates, and program benefits tailored to member needs.
• Design and oversee supplier programs that drive sales, member satisfaction, and supplier loyalty.
• Identifies and resolves complex issues effectively, demonstrating strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

3. Event Production and Show Management:

• Plan and execute annual trade shows, coordinating logistics and supplier exhibits.
• Develop and deliver engaging presentations at shows, highlighting new programs, supplier offerings, and group achievements with member satisfaction in mind.
• Ensure post-show follow-up includes analyzing feedback, reporting results, and implementing improvements.

4. Data Management:

• Maintain and update systems to ensure accurate member and supplier program details.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve data quality, accessibility, and reporting capabilities.

5. Industry Engagement and Strategic Analysis:

• Attend national trade shows to identify opportunities and build industry connections.
• Monitor and analyze industry trends, purchasing data, and competitor activity to inform strategy.
• Provide actionable insights to enhance member benefits and supplier partnerships.

6. Innovation and Member Benefit Enhancement:

• Help design and implement marketing and sales initiatives and presentations.
• Identify opportunities to innovate and improve membership benefits, including new services, tools, or resources.
• Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders to implement improvements that align with member and supplier needs.
• Drive initiatives that enhance value and competitive positioning.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3+ years of experience in program management, supplier management, or a related role within retail, wholesale, buying group, or sporting goods industry.
• Direct experience in athletic team and retail sports markets is strongly preferred.

Skills and Competencies:

• Expertise in supplier negotiations and relationship management.
• Strong organizational event planning and project management skills.
• Knowledge of the team industry from an independent marketing and sales position.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, data management, and reporting tools.
• Ability to create and deliver professional, engaging presentations.
• Analytical mindset to interpret data, trends, and member feedback.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to travel.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Growth in member and supplier recruitment.
• Successful execution of trade shows (e.g., participation, satisfaction, sales impact).
• Increased member and supplier engagement and satisfaction.
• Implementation of innovative programs that enhance membership value.
• Positive feedback from members and suppliers on program benefits and group initiatives.

Culture:

Adaptable, empowering, flexible, relaxed, connected, friendly, work hard but play hard, appreciated, always learning, open to ideas, positive, #1, inclusive , caring, efficient, and supportive (actual employee sentiments)

Benefits:

Employee/Family health paid by SI, Vision/Dental available as employee expense

Given $2,000 annually to offset health related expenses

$50K in life with option to add at own cost

Employee Assistance program/LT Disability

401K retirement – 6% match on annual salary

Annual Profit Sharing given at Board’s discretion

Employee Purchasing Discounts

11 Holidays per year

Generous PTO accrual

Upfront PTO

Potential for growth

Moving expenses negotiable

Salary:

Salary negotiable based on experience, Exempt

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