Regional Category Sales Specialist - Footwear

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 Regional Category Sales Specialist will have an opportunity to drive sales growth and expand the HexArmor business within an assigned territory. This field-based Specialist will develop new retail partnerships, grow existing customer relationships, and execute strategic initiatives that increase brand awareness, distribution, and sales. Working remotely from within the assigned territory, the Specialist serves as the primary representative for the HexArmor brand, partnering with specialty workwear retailers, safety footwear dealers, distributors, and retail chains. Success in this role requires a balance of new business development, account management, product education, and market development. This position works closely with Sales Leadership, Marketing, Product Management, Customer Service, Operations, and the End-User team to create demand, identify growth opportunities, and deliver exceptional support to retail partners. Through proactive customer engagement and strategic territory management, the Retail Sales Specialist plays a key role in expanding the HexArmor retail footprint and achieving territory sales objectives. **LOCATION** The territory for this position is the eastern or western part of the U.S. The home office location is flexible, but an ideal candidate's home office would be located in the Mountain Western US (CO, NM, AZ, WY) or the Southeastern US (VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN). **JOB RESPONSIBILITIES** **Business Development** - Identify, prospect, and secure new retail partners throughout the assigned territory. - Develop strategic territory plans focused on expanding distribution and increasing market share. - Execute a disciplined sales process to generate new business opportunities and convert prospects into active customers. - Expand product placement and assortment within existing retail partners. - Identify opportunities to penetrate new market segments and geographic areas. **Account Management** - Build and maintain strong relationships with retail buyers, owners, and key decision-makers. - Develop annual business plans with strategic retail partners. - Conduct regular account reviews to identify opportunities for growth. - Improve sell-through through product recommendations, assortment planning, merchandising, and staff engagement. - Deliver exceptional customer service while serving as the primary point of contact within the territory. **Territory Management** - Effectively manage all retail opportunities within the assigned territory. - Maintain an active pipeline of prospective accounts and business opportunities. - Prioritize customer visits based on opportunity, strategic importance, and business needs. - Travel extensively throughout the territory to support customers and grow the business. - Provide accurate sales forecasts and pipeline updates. **Brand & Product Leadership** - Present the HexArmor Safety Footwear portfolio to prospective and existing customers. - Conduct product demonstrations and sales presentations. - Train retail associates and sales teams on product features, applications, competitive advantages, and selling techniques. - Ensure consistent execution of HexArmor brand standards across retail partners. - Represent HexArmor at trade shows, customer events, and industry meetings. **Market Development** - Partner with distributors to support retail growth initiatives. - Collaborate with the HexArmor End-User team to convert end-user opportunities into retail sales. - Identify regional industries and applications where HexArmor products provide a competitive advantage. - Develop local market strategies that increase awareness and demand for the HexArmor brand. - Monitor competitive activity and emerging market trends. **Marketing & Sales Execution** - Execute regional marketing initiatives that support retail partners and drive sales. - Coordinate product launches, promotional programs, and merchandising initiatives. - Utilize sales tools, digital assets, and point-of-sale materials to maximize customer engagement. - Identify opportunities for local marketing events, retailer promotions, and customer education. - Provide customer feedback that supports future product and marketing development. **Cross-Functional Collaboration** - Partner with Customer Service, Operations, Product Management, Marketing, and Sales Leadership to deliver an exceptional customer experience. - Coordinate sample requests, product availability, merchandising materials, and customer onboarding. - Communicate customer needs, competitive insights, and market intelligence to internal stakeholders. - Support company initiatives and strategic priorities across the retail channel. **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** - Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field **or equivalent combination of education and relevant sales experience.** - 1–3 years of successful territory sales experience. - Proven ability to develop new business while growing existing customer relationships. - Strong presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. - Excellent verbal and written communication skills. - Highly organized with strong time management and territory planning abilities. - Experience using CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications. - Ability to travel 50–70% throughout the assigned territory. **PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS** - Experience selling safety footwear, work boots, PPE, industrial products, workwear, or related products. - Retail safety footwear or work boot sales experience. - PPE or industrial safety products experience. - Retail account development experience. - Territory management experience. - Merchandising and retail product experience. - Experience selling through independent retailers and regional retail chains. **COMPENSATION** - Base Salary and Commission 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 \*\***