Customer Service Sales

* *** ********** ****, ********* OH *****

937-***-**** home

937-***-**** cell

abnvuw@r.postjobfree.com

Christine S. Van Buren

Objective

To secure a position with a growth-oriented, progressive company where I can

e ffectively utilize my expertise in account management, program development

a nd leadership skills enabling me to make a positive contribution to an

o rganization.

E xperience

January, 2009 – April, 2009 CM Paula/GeoCentral Mason, OH

Director of Sales

! Manage outside sales force, approximately 100 reps (12 groups),

i ncluding establishing and measuring sales goals, hiring and

t erminating, attend regional gift shows, work/train reps as time

p ermits.

! Manage and work with Key Accounts Manager to proactively gain and

g row business from list of targeted key accounts.

! Collaborate and communicate with customer service to keep customer

f iles up to date.

! Responsible for the planning, timely exectution and measurement of all

c ompany trade show and product exhibitions.

! Participate in development of bi-annual catalog.

! Product Development – responsible for developing custom product for

o pportunities with key accounts.

! Work with accounting on any receivables issues.

April 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008 TRENDS INTERNATIONAL/ANTIOCH Indianapolis, IN

Key Accounts Manager

! Manage key accounts for the stationery portion of the overall

b usiness (worth $11m), ensuring business continues as usual since

t he acquisition of Antioch by Trends International.

! Work closely with product manager to aid in product development

a nd product planning for the stationery lines.

! Currently working to establish a rep force across the country to

s ervice non-key accounts.

! Continuous new business development

! Responsible for sales presentations including organizing and

m anaging product and design reviews with key accounts, meeting at

l east once a quarter.

! Responsible for gathering and analyzing information for annual

b usiness reviews.

! Suggest and maintain planograms for accounts.

! Constant communication to key accounts regarding current and

u pcoming licensing, as well as other, opportunities.

! Utilize licenses to open doors to new accounts.

! Work with accounting on any receivables issues.

May, 2005 – March, 2008 ANTIOCH PUBLISHING COMPANY Yellow Springs, OH

National Accounts Manager

! Increased sales with key accounts by approximately 30% from 2005

t o 2006.

! Continuous new business development

! Implemented a weekly key account review meeting (KARM) with

p urchasing, operations, marketing and creative to discuss new and

o ngoing projects

! Created marketing plans by account to aid in product development

a nd product planning many of which were added to the trade line on

a n ongoing basis.

! Work with marketing and creative to develop programs and product,

i .e., packaging products together, product/design, exclusive licensing

a greements for certain accounts.

! Responsible for sales presentations including organizing and

m anaging product and design reviews with key accounts, meeting at

l east once a quarter.

! Responsible for gathering and analyzing information for annual

b usiness reviews

! Suggest and maintain planograms for accounts.

! Constant communication to key accounts regarding current and

u pcoming licensing, as well as other, opportunities.

! Utilize licenses to open doors to new accounts, i.e., Claire’s Boutique,

J ustice Stores, Club Libby Lu, Transworld Entertainment.

! Work with accounting on any receivables issues

September 2001-April, 2005 ANTIOCH PUBLISHING COMPANY

National Sales Manager, Gift

! Increased gift sales by 60%

! Managed 140 sales representatives across the country.

! Worked with marketing and creative to provide constant

c ommunication to the field regarding current and forthcoming

o ffers/licenses

! “Ride-alongs” with reps in their territory as time permitted

! Attended regional gift shows to assist in order writing, reinforcement

t raining and new rep training

! Developed and implemented spiff programs to promote our line with

r eps.

! Continued managing and growing international (export) sales

! Continued new business development

! Continued to manage national camera market rep force for Webway

p hoto album line.

September, 1999-September, 2001 ANTIOCH PUBLISHING COMPANY

Divisional Sales Manager

! Managed national camera market rep force for Webway photo album

l ine.

! Managed military sales rep group

! Managed military accounts:

AAFES

o

PMG International (overseas military distributor)

o

! Continued new business development

! Continued responsibility for managing and growing international

( export) sales.

! Continued new business development

! Continued responsibility for obsolete/excess inventories.

May, 1996-September, 1999 ANTIOCH PUBLISHING COMPANY

E xports/Closeouts Manager

Assistant to Divisional President

! Managed and grew international (export) sales

! Managed and found new outlets for obsolete/excess inventory

Learned necessary negotiation skills to deal with buyers

o

! Assisted divisional president with day-to-day activities

September, 1994-March 1996 Huber Investment Corporation

Huber Heights, OH

Customer Service Manager

! Provided customer service for rental home maintenance.

Education

1982-1986 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI

Language and International Trade

References

Available upon request

Contact this candidate