Footwear End-User Specialist

Job description

**COMPANY OVERVIEW** HexArmor® is a leader in developing some of the most advanced PPE solutions for your eyes, hands, arms, body and feet. At HexArmor®, we believe safety is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. Since day one, we have worked hand-in-hand with our customers to design innovative, high performance PPE that helps ensure workers return home in the same condition they arrived. Our mission is to provide the protection that makes this possible, for every worker, everywhere. **SUMMARY** The Footwear End-User Specialist will have an opportunity to drive awareness, trial, and adoption of HexArmor safety footwear by directly engaging with end-users across key industries and markets. This role serves as the primary connection between the end-user and the sales channel, creating demand at the wearer level and helping convert interest into sales through authorized retailers and distribution partners. The Footwear End-User Specialist works closely with Internal Sales Channels as well as external sales channels, including Independent Sales Agencies, distributors, and retail partners to identify opportunities, influence purchasing decisions, and increase footwear adoption. The ideal candidate is an energetic relationship builder with excellent presentation and communication skills who is comfortable engaging safety professionals, workers, fleet managers, contractors, purchasing managers, and business leaders in both field and virtual environments. Success in this role is measured by end-user engagement, lead generation, product trial, and conversion into retail and distributor sales. **LOCATION** Fully onsite at our global headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI. **JOB RESPONSIBILITIES** **End-User Engagement & Demand Generation** - Develop relationships with end-users across construction, industrial, manufacturing, utility, transportation, infrastructure, asphalt markets, and more. - Promote awareness of HexArmor footwear solutions and key product technologies. - Conduct product demonstrations, measured wear trials, and educational presentations. - Identify opportunities to increase footwear adoption within targeted industries and accounts. - Influence purchasing decisions by communicating product performance, comfort, safety, durability, and productivity benefits. - Build awareness and engagement with safety professionals, business owners, fleet managers, supervisors, and purchasing influencers. **Asphalt Market Development** - Serve as a key footwear resource for asphalt and paving contractors. - Promote HexArmor asphalt footwear solutions through direct engagement with contractors, operators, supervisors, and safety professionals. - Promote HexArmor asphalt footwear solutions through social and digital channels. - Coordinate field demonstrations, wear trials, trade show attendance, and jobsite visits within asphalt operations. - Gather customer feedback and market insights to support product development and commercialization efforts. - Develop relationships with asphalt contractors, industry associations, and key influencers within the paving market. **Lead Management & Opportunity Development** - Serve as the primary point of contact for inbound footwear opportunities. - Qualify and prioritize inbound leads from marketing campaigns, trade shows, website inquiries, customer referrals, internal sales teams, distributors, and retail partners. - Track and manage opportunities through the sales process. - Ensure timely follow-up and engagement with prospective end-users. - Maintain accurate CRM records, opportunity tracking, and reporting. - Coordinate opportunity handoff and follow-up with appropriate sales resources and channel partners. **Distributor & Channel Development** - Work closely with footwear distributors and retail Sales Reps to identify and develop end-user opportunities. - Support distributor sales teams through product education, customer engagement, and opportunity development. - Generate qualified end-user leads that create growth opportunities for channel partners. - Assist in expanding distributor participation in footwear programs and initiatives. - Promote collaboration between distributors, retailers, and internal sales teams to maximize customer conversion and retention. - Support distributor and retailer events, customer meetings, and training initiatives. **Retail & Channel Collaboration** - Partner with Retail Sales Representatives, Independent Sales Agencies and distributors to convert end-user demand into sales opportunities. - Connect end-users with the appropriate retailer or distributor based on geography, customer needs, purchasing requirements, and channel strategy. - Facilitate introductions between end-users and channel partners to accelerate product adoption and purchasing activity. - Help convert end-user interest into retail and distributor sales opportunities. - Assist channel partners in identifying new footwear opportunities within existing customer relationships. - Support retailer onboarding, expansion opportunities, and footwear growth initiatives. **Cross-Functional Sales Support** - Collaborate with RSMs, TSMs, and AEs to identify footwear opportunities within existing customer relationships. - Support broader HexArmor sales initiatives where footwear solutions can complement existing PPE programs. - Provide footwear expertise and product recommendations during customer engagements. - Share market intelligence and customer feedback with internal stakeholders. - Assist with strategic account initiatives and targeted growth projects. **Customer Education & Training** - Deliver in-person and virtual product presentations. - Educate end-users on footwear features, technologies, and application-specific benefits. - Support customer onboarding and product implementation activities. - Coordinate training sessions for end-users, safety managers, distributor sales teams, and retail partners. - Leverage digital tools and virtual meeting platforms to efficiently engage customers and expand market reach. **Market Intelligence** - Monitor industry trends, competitive activity, and customer needs. - Collect and communicate end-user feedback regarding product performance, product gaps, and market opportunities. - Support product management and marketing teams with customer insights and field observations. - Identify emerging markets, applications, and growth opportunities. **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** - Bachelor's degree preferred. - 1-3 years of experience in sales, business development, field marketing, end-user sales, safety products, industrial products, workwear, footwear, or related industries. - Strong relationship-building and communication skills. - Experience conducting presentations, product demonstrations, and customer training. - Ability to engage customers in both field and virtual environments. - Willingness to travel as required – 20%-30% **PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS** - Experience working with distributors, retailers, contractors, industrial customers, or safety professionals preferred. - Self-motivated with strong organizational and follow-up skills. - Experience with CRM systems and opportunity management. - Proficiency with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Teams, and other sales enablement tools. **COMPENSATION** - Base Salary and Annual Performance Bonus HexArmor is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. At HexArmor, we believe diversity in people and ideas makes us stronger. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse employee workforce honoring people’s experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds. As one HexArmor community, we strive to create and maintain a working environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and impartial. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know. **\*\* Employment offers are contingent upon an E-Verify check and the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check \*\***