About SparkFun

Since 2003, SparkFun has been helping turn ideas into reality – whether you’re creating a smart weather station, exploring the frontier of machine learning, building a robot for school or prototyping your first (or tenth) product. No matter your vision or skill level, our open source components, resources and online tutorials are designed to broaden access to innovative technology and make the road to a finished project shorter.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. SparkFun offers an abundance of opportunities to learn new skills from other Funions, in addition to many other benefits and perks.

SparkFun's Next Sales & Support Manager

SparkFun is looking for a Sales & Support Manager who's primary function will be to lead the sales and support functions at SparkFun to grow business, maintain a loyal customer base, and ensure a stellar customer journey. The Sales & Support Manager will develop strategic growth plans across account segments (B2C, B2B, Edu, and Distro/Resell) and for both potential and existing accounts. This is a leadership role that holds Senior Manager responsibilities as well as the onus to build a high-performing, motivated team. This role manages the Sales & Support Team, which comprises Customer Support, Inside Sales, Technical Sales Support, Third-Party Marketplace and Sales Teams

Collective Leadership Participation: As a senior manager, the sales operations manager demonstrates company values; leads personnel through change management; contributes to building overall company strategy; and translates strategy into team goals, plans, execution, and metrics. This role is a trusted advisor to senior leadership.

Collaboration: Building bridges across departments and within the Sales Operations Department is critical to this role. Knowing the impact of decisions made and being able to work with BizDev, Finance, Purchasing, Production, Shipping, Kitting, Marketing, Data, Engineering, Product Services, SWIT, and cross functional teams will be critical to the success of this role.

Essential Job Functions:

• Earn new business [lead new-business-acquisition/sales team]
  • Develop biannual sales plan that lays out path for revenue generation through new account acquisition - includes big picture, objectives, and path to reach goals
  • Develop aggressive approach to lead generation/qualification/followup and prospecting
  • Serve as first point of approval for new distributor/reseller accounts and other opportunities
  • Build transparent system for sharing leads, opportunities, wins, and losses
• Expand business with existing accounts
  • Use internal data to target growth accounts, build and implement plans for proactive account outreach; and to use data to support overall selling efforts
  • Make “Getting Beyond the Transaction” a team mantra - build out strategies, tactics, and concrete timelines/plans to get to know accounts to better serve them and to leverage renewal, cross-sell, and up-sell opportunities
• Make doing business with SparkFun easy, efficient, and enjoyable
  • Manage and refine internal processes to support the different segment needs
  • Map out customer touch points to evaluate and improve communications and to ensure positive customer experience
  • Provide training to team members to field, address, and/or direct all forms of incoming communications
  • Lead the Customer Support/Reception Team
  • Act as first line of escalation for customer issues
• Lead, support and grow the team (teams managed and across departments)
  • Support the Sales & Support Team
    • Balance leadership, strategy & execution
    • Design and implement professional learning plans; build a high-performing team
    • Identify team KPIs; work with individuals to establish goals/plans - recognize accomplishments
    • Select systems/platforms to support the work of the team
    • Build relationships with current and potential accounts; support team in articulating SparkFun value
    • Ensure efficient, transparent, and consistent quoting, forecasting, and order processing
    • Cross-train teams and develop plans for back-up work
    • Develop impactful sales/support tools and assets
  • Support the SparkFun Team
    • Serve as key member and contributor in key meetings and cross-department collaborations to support smooth operations (examples: S&OP, Services, product release scheduling)
    • Communicate and advocate - share team activities, accomplishments, and challenges
    • Develop and share critical reports; including, but not limited to sales forecast, sales reports, gap analysis, loss reports, support/market trends, and so forth
    • Act as internal expert in why customers do business with SparkFun, how they are using our products and services, and how we can better serve our community
    • Represent SparkFun in community networking events

Requirements

• 3+ years sales experience (and a passion for growing revenue and getting creative with sales and marketing strategies)
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, or similar field
• At least 2-4 years sales management experience, including experience creating & implementing a sales plan, analyzing markets, competition, and internal data points to drive activity
• Experience with sales pipelines, forecasting, and goal setting (and presenting them)
• Experience with change management (with exceptional EQ)
• Experience with B2B sales and channel development
• Experience coaching/mentoring, building professional growth paths, and proven record of building high-performance teams
• Team player with strong collaboration skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Preferred Requirements

• Knowledge of electronics built for prototyping, R&D, and hobbyists
  • BONUS - Deep knowledge of SparkFun, or similar, product lines
• Channel Sales Experience
• Experience selling into higher ed

SparkFun Benefits & Perks

SparkFun Electronics offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package, in addition to several perks. In regards to benefits, we offer medical, dental, and vision. And, we offer a 401k match, disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid volunteer time, and a flexible leave policy to name a few.

SparkFun offers many perks, including but not limited to a dog-friendly workplace, professional development opportunities, an on-site fitness center, and lunch and learns! Flexible schedules are also available.

Commission opportunities are available in addition to base salary.