JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Director of Sales

Company: Sakura of America

Reports to: Vice President of Sales

About Sakura of America:

Sakura of America is driven by its mission: a world of possibility powered by human creativity . We're a company that embraces our values and unique culture around doing the right thing, building a positive team and family spirit, and taking personal ownership. We deliver on our commitments while acting with humility and embrace continuous improvement.

Sakura invents, markets, and supplies the U.S., Canada and Mexico with iconic writing instruments and art materials to enable joyful writing, drawing and creative activities. Sakura’s brands are staples in the art world: Cray-Pas oil pastels in the art education market; Gelly Roll and Pigma Micron pens in the stationery, arts & crafts, and fine art markets; Solid Paint Markers in the industrial markets. Come join a fast-growing business that is disrupting the category while getting to play in a space that is inspiring, creative, artistic, and enhances self-expression.

Director of Sales:

A key leader within the sales function, the Director of Sales will play a vital role achieving the company’s revenue, profit, and category share targets. The candidate will be responsible for developing and executing a collaborative business partnership between Sakura of America and retailers within the designated business channels. The candidate will deliver assortment, merchandising, pricing, and shelving objectives (AMPS), as well as manage and execute a joint business plan (JBP) to achieve objectives. Successful candidates will have prior experience working within the Mass, Drug, Arts & Crafts, or similar channels, possess the ability to think and influence strategically, and be adept at influencing the customer’s organization.

Responsibilities Include:

• Deliver annual sales, profit, and market share objectives at assigned accounts and assigned channels
• Lead the planning, development, and activation of business plans at assigned accounts, including new business expansion opportunities
• Build influential relationships with external (customer) and internal (company) cross functional partners, e.g., supply chain, finance, shopper marketing, eCommerce, etc.
• Identify business opportunities with account(s) and work with internal partners to create customized plans to drive results
• Conduct customer meetings and quarterly business plan reviews to refine inventory forecasts and promotional planning
• Leverage syndicated data, shopper, and consumer insights to maximize assortment, merchandising, pricing, and shelving opportunities
• Implement trade funding strategies with customer(s), ensuring adherence to spending guidelines and efficient use of funds
• Activate innovation plans within assigned customers and channels, delivering company growth targets
• Attend periodic trade shows and other industry events representing Sakura of America

Qualifications & Skills Include:

• At least (7-10) years of direct sales experience in the CPG industry (Mass and/or Arts & Crafts Channel preferred)
• Successful track record of strategic selling, both direct to retailers, and through brokers/distributors
• Fact based and data driven selling background leveraging syndicated data (Circana, etc.)
• Building and executing joint business annual plans with customers
• Prior experience leading brands in the creativity space is a plus
• Category management / post promotional analysis
• Standout interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Exceptional knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Suite
• Bachelor’s Degree required, or equivalent work experience

About the Job:

• Full-time, hybrid position, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Working 3 days per week in the Hayward, CA office

We Offer:

• Competitive salary and annual bonus program
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision and 401(k), with company matching
• Product Allowance
• Phone Allowance

More About Sakura of America:

Sakura of America is the North American Subsidiary of a Japanese-owned writing instruments company that is 103 years old this year. It has produced iconic brands in the art space including Pigma Micron and Gelly Roll pens, and Koi watercolors that are loved by both novice and professional artists. Sakura products are in full distribution in stores like Michaels, Blick, Hobby Lobby, and JoAnn’s, but also can be found at Target and Walmart. Sakura products are well known for their superior quality at accessible pricing. Today Sakura of America has over 275K followers on Instagram and is looking to grow aggressively over the coming years, disrupting a category with products that have a right to win. This category is one that inspires creativity, fun, and self-expression – a joyful category to play in.

Industry:

Art and Creativity Supplies/Consumer Packaged Goods

Employment Type:

Full-time