Now Hiring - Upholstery Sales Associate (B2B) in Reidsville, NC

Who We Are

Global Textile Alliance, Inc. was founded in 2001. GTA's principals, each having spent two decades in the textile and bedding industry, aimed to service the bedding and furniture industries from a global perspective and developed a business that fit into a rapidly expanding economic marketplace.

Next to being global and servicing the largest and the best, GTA maintained the flexibility to respond to the changing requirements of the customers. The Reidsville, North Carolina operation quickly grew into a vertical operation consisting of warping, weaving, circular knitting, and finishing. From this location, GTA offers world class manufacturing, mirroring that of its European and Indian sister companies, with readily available capacity to service the ever-changing needs of its customer base.

In the 2010s, Belgian sister companies Ter Molst and Symphony Mills opened departments within the GTA USA facilities to serve the American market directly from the region itself. Each specialised in a specific style of upholstery and curtain fabrics, these companies can help you dress the rest of your home outside your bedroom.

General Description & Job Purpose

The Sales Associate manages the full sales cycle for Tier 2 (and Tier 3) customers in the upholstery division of Global Textile Alliance (GTA). This includes scheduling appointments, product presentations, generating leads, and following up on customers for a specified regions of the US and/or Canada. The main goals are to maintain strong relationships with existing accounts, seek out new potential customers and opportunities in the designated regions, and grow our market share.

The purpose of this position is to be the primary contact and main line of communication to the Tier 2 (and Tier 3) accounts and be responsible for coordinating the sales and marketing efforts with those customers.

This position requires working closely with the Sales Directors and VP of Sales (for materials procurement, planning, and production) and with the Fabric Designer when needed.

Key Responsibilities, Major Accountabilities & Essential Duties

• Responsible to grow and maintain products using GTA and Love Home Fabrics products on a seasonal and annual basis. The majority of all other duties for this position stem from the following tasks:
  • Communicate on a regular basis to know the customer's current usage and future usage of upholstery fabrics they are specifying for themselves, for their customers or for their manufacturers.
  • Monitor customer preferences and needs and develop focused sales strategies.
  • Manage and coordinate our Design efforts with them on new product developments for current and upcoming seasons.
• Growth of GTA products in the designated region.
• Manage the expenses needed to grow the territory.
• High-performance team effort by working with other regional sales associates to help grow entire business.
• Keep the sales team and other teammates up to speed with market data and information.
• Plan and execute strategic and tactical plans to achieve sales objectives assigned.

• Product positioning and identification of marketing opportunities for some of the growing Tier 2 accounts.
• Keep up-to-date on market trends and industry intelligence.
• Evaluate market conditions and competitive landscape to develop opportunities for business growth in the market place.
• Develop strong customer and partner relationships with customers within assigned territory, and build strong networks and affiliations within key market segments.
• Prospecting new accounts and growing customer base.
• Create inventory sales reports and follow-up with customers to limit obsolete stock.
• Build the image of the company and its worldwide presence and managerial philosophy and objectives.
• Support strategic initiatives and objectives of the company within GTA.
• Assist internal departments in order fulfillment (customer service, sample-making, shipping, and accounting).
• Handle complaints and collaborate with quality and manufacturing department to resolve problems.
• Attend sales meetings to exchange ideas and methods that support sales goals and other company
• Provide market-based feedback regarding new product opportunities.
• Represent the company at some trade shows and conventions to maintain customer relations, market new products and establish new relationships.
• Maintain consistent visitation schedule between all assigned territories and customers.
• Responsible for monthly booking of ones travel and completion of business expenses.
• Reports directly to the Sales Director.

Key Skills

• Fluent spoken/written English
• Ability to clearly communicate ideas, identify opportunities in the future and put together an effective path to achieve goals.
• Open for growth with critique and training.
• Professional demeanor.
• Great communicator and coordinator.
• Innovative thinker.
• Relationship driven.

• Dynamic customer interaction skills.
• Proven track record of success in promoting product growth.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Good knowledge of the upholstery industry.
• Strong work ethic and passion for a career in sales.
• Positive and energetic attitude.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Results-driven.
• Ability to lift and transport up to 70lbs sample bags.
• Travel required 50% of the time. Must be able to work remotely when not in the office.
  

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of B2B Sales and/or Marketing of retail or specialty products.
• Required industry experience with good textile knowledge to be the primary contact and main line of communication to a variety of accounts, with a strong focus on furniture manufacturers, OEMS, fabric distributors and other market players specifying textile products for themselves, for their customers or for their manufacturers.
  

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Textiles, or related field or equivalent education and related training.