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POSITION – SEASONAL REGIONAL MANAGER - TOLEDO, OH

ABOUT THE COMPANY
Hickory Farms is a mission and values driven enterprise and is one of North America’s leading specialty food and gift purveyors. The Company was founded in 1951 in the pastoral farm country of Northwest Ohio. Hickory Farms products are a hallmark gift for those who appreciate rich and savory foods. Based in Toledo, Hickory Farms brings the best of Midwest values to consumers in North America and the U.S. Armed Forces all over the world. Hickory Farms’ longstanding commitment to personalized service and the legendary quality of its products have kept the company popular on gift lists year after year. Customers can find Hickory Farms’ savory sausages, favorite cheeses and other gourmet goods online, in catalogs, in leading mass merchants, supermarkets and approximately 750 retail shopping centers throughout the holiday season.

MISSION

  • Provide the highest quality products and customer experience.
  • Increase brand value by enriching family holiday traditions.
  • Promote giving, sustainability and community service.
  • Be the best premium specialty food company in North America.


QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Hickory Farms believes customer satisfaction and quality are key value drivers which have enabled it to earn EBITDA margins well ahead of the industry. In 2011 its reformulated Signature Summer Sausage earned the Gold Medal from The American Masters of Taste for product Superiority. In 2014, Hickory Farms’ Holiday Market locations received a consumer satisfaction index of 90 from Foresee Results, putting the Company at the Vanguard of the nation’s leading retailers.

POSITION SUMMARY
Hickory Farms is recruiting for a Seasonal Regional Manager for a Pittsburgh, PA location. This position will start mid-July and end approximately January 15, 2016.


Reporting to the Regional Director, the Regional Manager is a key member of the Retail Team and will be responsible for all aspects of building retail sales and improving customer satisfaction in their Region. This will entail both strategic and tactical activities which maximize short and long-range objectives for the region’s sales growth; evaluating, managing and motivating a sales organization.


Importantly, the Regional Manager will have a proactive approach to sales development. He/ she will be directly involved in selecting, managing and motivating a dedicated independent kiosk sales force. Key areas of focus will be to oversee recruitment, training and sales development within their region, enabling Hickory Farms to enjoy higher customer satisfaction and improved sales conversion rates.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS    

  • Reports to: Regional Director
  • Direct Reports: 5-6 Area Managers, 22-34 Store Managers
  • Indirect Reports: Seasonal Retail Sales Associates, Seasonal Kiosk Stock/Laborers

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Sales:

    • Responsible for hitting and exceeding sales budgets

    • Focus on product knowledge to enhance associate average order value (AOV)

    • Facilitate the importance of sampling and suggestive selling to increase traffic counts

    • Motivate teams to be sales focused

  • Recruiting and Payroll:

    • Completely staffing each location

    • Instill importance of Product Knowledge utilization

    • Ensure display and signing impactful and compliant

  • Training:

    • Plan and execute the Area Manager Pocket and On the Job Training Meetings.

    • Develop Area Manager, Store Manager, and Site Team, through On the Job Training Program.

    • Ensure consistent team training throughout the duration of project by monitoring online readiness report, communication with Area Managers, and regular store visits.

  • Merchandising:

    • Execute Planograms specific to location
    • Instill importance of Product Knowledge utilization
    • Ensure display and signing impactful and compliant

 

  • Inventory Control:
    • Backroom Inventory List utilized
    • Initiate movement of producT
    • Control inventory and cash handling
  • Operations:
    • Follow opening schedules, set ups kiosk and merchandise inventory
    • End of season close/tear down schedules for kiosk units
    • Maintain all operating expenses at or below budget

 

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

  • Managed premium, branded products.
  • Operated effectively within a smaller company environment.
  • Deep experience in building and managing a national brand in a retail environment.
  • 5 - 10 years of sales, marketing and operating multi-unit experience.


CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS

Focus on sales growth and results oriented. The successful candidate has demonstrated personal accountability for delivering aggressive sales goals while executing strategic initiatives and building efficient, “best-of-class” sales organizations.

Deep functional sales and marketing expertise. The successful candidate will have proven hands-on leadership expertise in all facets of sales and marketing.


Outstanding communications skills. The successful candidate will interact with both frequent and focused dialogue with all members of the team, and be open and candid with peers, subordinates and partners.

A high-energy, team-oriented leader. The successful candidate will have a passion for leading a highly professional team and will instill a strong sense of team spirit with peers and subordinates. This person will lead by example and instill confidence in his/ her staff. We aspire to find a leader with a “fire in the belly” who enjoys rolling up his/ her sleeves, leading from the frontlines, while working in a team-centric environment.

Interested candidates please submit your resume to Deven.McEowen@HickoryFarms.com.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse and tobacco testing.