We are looking for an energetic, self-driven, mature business person with a passion for hockey.
If you are comfortable in working with senior level executives at customer sites and within different cultures, you enjoy leading edge product development from concept to consumer and you are a proficient multi-tasker willing to do "whatever it takes" to be successful in achieving corporate goals, this job is for you!
THE COMPANY
Our client is a major US based sports equipment manufacturing company. They are leaders in sports related products and technology with facilities located throughout the United States and around the world. They specialize in OEM and consumer related products for many major sports manufacturers worldwide. They achieve performance enhancement through innovation in materials, design and process. They are renowned for their extensive R&D capabilities related to performance sports equipment and their proactive approach to the OEM market. The culture is entrepreneurial and team based with a strong drive to innovate. Growth is achieved through product innovation and superior customer service.
THE POSITION
This is the job that most Canadian hockey players dream about!
In this new and highly visible role you will be responsible for leadership and execution of all sales, product development and support activities by directly interfacing and integrating with existing key OEM Hockey accounts primarily in the Montreal / Ottawa area. You will be responsible for maintaining solid relationships and frequent face-to-face and electronic interactions with key decision makers and support management at all Hockey key accounts. This will require regular interaction and guidance with our client's R&D Center to ensure that all product development activities and prioritization accurately support our customers’ needs and new growth opportunities. You will coordinate all internal and customer cross-functional communications and data collection necessary to effectively plan and manage operating support activities and achieve sales objectives. You will also coordinate regular local on ice product testing. In addition, you will drive new growth initiatives in existing and new markets.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Weekly face-to-face meetings with key decision makers and support management
- Interface with customer R&D and Marketing groups to plan and execute new product technologies for future market introduction
- Daily interaction with our client's R&D Center to coordinate and verify all customer product development projects
- Coordinate in-house activities (product development, testing, forecasting, order management) and customer input
- Grow sales with the current account base and new accounts
- Constantly monitor market for competitive shifts and trends to identify and pursue new opportunities
- Monthly sales/production forecasting using customer-supplied data, price management
- Coordination of product testing needed for product development and marketing purposes
- Estimated travel about 25% (Canada, US, Europe, China)
LOCATION: Montreal / Ottawa Region
COMPENSATION: Base Salary plus Bonus
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree (Business preferred)
- 10+ years strategic sales and marketing experience with hard goods selling (consumer products preferred)
- In-depth knowledge of Hockey (playing experience preferred)
- Bilingual in English & French (preferred)
- Ability to work cross-functionally and throughout all levels of an organization (R&D, Product Development, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Logistics, Finance)
- Demonstrated Project Management experience
- Technical aptitude to quickly develop a working knowledge of composites and manufacturing processes
- Business acumen, ability to understand financials, P&L and costing analysis
- Strong negotiation/persuasive skills
- Problem solving, solutions orientation and creativity
- Hands-on, detail oriented with a sense of urgency
- Self motivated with the ability to work independently


