Sales Manager

Paul Sowacke

**** ***** **** . ********, ** ***** . Cell: 708-***-**** . Email:

********@*****.***

SALES MANAGER . STRATEGIC LEADER . CLIENT LIAISON

PROFILE & VALUE qUALIFICATIONS & EXPERTISE

Effective and accountable sales development New Business Development &

manager with a verifiable record of achievement Management

in forming strategic partnerships with new and Competitive Market Research &

existing clients to identify and deliver Analysis

solutions that fuel lasting growth and Cost Analysis, Reduction &

profitability. Control

Innovative leader and strategic thinker with a Team Leadership & Communication

unique facility for identifying and Corporate Strategy

capitalizing on opportunities to grow sales and Implementation

increase revenue. Conduct market research to Formalized Sales Procedures

realize potential new business and negotiate Sales & Marketing Expertise

collaborative relationships that expand efforts Strategic Negotiation Skills

in domestic markets. Training & Development

Consistently deliver exceptional results Innovation & Creativity

through the development of sales tools and Entrepreneurial Spirit

strategies that dramatically increase sales. Motivational Leader

Recognized for the ability to generate

enthusiastic acceptance of new ideas.

Drive the acceptance of valuable processes that

are implemented as best practices. Leverage

innovation, creativity, and critical thinking

to review opportunities for change while

mitigating business risk.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Louisiana Pacific - Chicago, IL

Territory Sales Manager / Channel Manager

2009-2014

Lead the planning process to achieve sales budgets and execution of sales

and marketing strategies. Manage, coach and hire the territory sales teams

in order to achieve plan. Maintain and build strong customer relationships

working with marketing teams to craft programs that drive sales and build

preference and loyalty. Manage distribution channels in local territories

within corporate strategies and assist the marketing department in managing

pricing and rebate models. Manage channel conflict in a professional manor

representing the company and provide "best in class" support to all channel

partners. Prepare accurate and timely sales reports. Gather field

intelligence, as well as maintain customer information within company

systems to assure open and accurate communication lines to the market

place. This includes development and maintenance of a dealer sales

professional database, including the builders they sell. Provide customer

management i.e. planning, establishment of expectations, sales training,

joint field sales calls and a measurement metrics to assure successful

relationships. Lead and guided the sales for to create demand and increase

sales for LP specialty building products by developing various pull through

marketing and sales campaigns in the Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana & St.

Louis markets.

Key Achievements:

. 2011 & 2012 Master's Award winner

. Successfully initiated market strategies resulting in year over year

sales growth from $8MM to $25MM

. Lead member of LP national R&R strategy team responsible for identifying

and targeting next generation focus markets.

. Assisted in designing and implementing Authorized Contractor and dealer

trainings across multiple markets.

. Assisted in coordinating multiple in market media campaigns resulting in

increased brand awareness among targeted customers.

. Led efforts to create company-wide sales training for LP sales personnel

and their distribution partners

. Sales lead in national strategy for SmartSide Preferred Prefinish Program

. Coordinated and led efforts in multiple territories to develop ongoing

training programs for the AEC community

RAINBIRD - Chicago, IL

2008-2009

Contractor Manager

Led team efforts to develop pull through sales and marketing programs to

successfully convert contractors to Rain Bird products and services in the

Illinois and Wisconsin markets. Conduct product and sales trainings with

distributors and contractors to increase mindshare and sales. Establish

relationships with architects, municipalities, distributors & contractors

to strengthen Rain Bird presence in local markets.

PAUL SOWACKE - Page 2

2226 Maple Road . Homewood, IL 60430 . Cell: 708-***-**** . Email:

********@*****.***

HILTI - Chicago, IL 2002-2008

Regional Sales Manager (2007-2008)

Leverage entrepreneurial skills, vision, and strong managerial experience

to successfully direct sales and new business development efforts for a

team of 8 sales professionals and 2 store personnel in the Chicago area for

a global leader developing, manufacturing, and marketing products for

professionals in the construction industry. Establish the tone for a

proactive team environment and continuously serve as a mentor and guide to

enable sales professionals to achieve continued profitability and growth of

the territory.

Key Achievements:

. Successfully led a $3.6 million territory that experienced 11% growth

over the preceding year. Analyzed and recommended strategies to

facilitate continued growth, and encouraged the sales force to employ a

critical and creative approach to generating new and driving increases in

existing business.

. Hired, trained, motivated, and guided the professional development of

staff. Delivered performance evaluations and provided constructive

feedback to achieve sustained positive results. Promoted an environment

predicated on meritocratic principles and accountability resulting in a

high performing team.

. Identified and accurately assessed potential sales opportunities that met

with customers' short- and long-term goals. Maintained ongoing awareness

of industry trends, competitive landscape, and opportunities for business

growth.

. Readily shared new information with the sales team to devise and

implement strategies that ensured a continuous market leadership

position.

Product Sales Manager (2006-2007)

Developed, coordinated, and implemented market expansion strategies within

Chicago. Effectively led the continued growth of field personnel to build

technical and functional competencies in product knowledge and service

delivery to exceed customers' expectations. Increased brand awareness and

account penetration through the implementation of marketing and sales

programs. Established partnerships with the local regional sales manager

and sales representatives to drive business. Expertly managed Program

Specialty Contractor key accounts.

Key Achievements:

. Sold direct to contractors through 25 account managers and 4 specialty

contractors, which resulted in delivering sales that achieved 24% growth

from 2005 to 2006 and resulted in 30% growth in 2007.

. Served as a key liaison for the sales force. Provided ongoing education

and training regarding sales strategies, marketing opportunities, and

client interactions to form strategic alliances.

. Worked with the inspection community to promote Hilti's products and

ensured the company was a listed manufacturer in architecture and

engineering specifications.

Account Manager (2002-2006)

Achieved profitable sales and provided job site sales and support to

customers to facilitate continued development and awareness of the

company's products.

Key Achievements:

. Selected as the 2004 'President's Club' winner for exceptional sales and

client service. Nominated as a member of the National Peer Council to

represent account managers before senior management.

. Created a process using Microsoft Outlook and Map Point to analyze the

territory as part of implementing a daily program to increase sales and

improve account managers' product knowledge. Process was implemented as a

best practice throughout the US and Canada.

. Established relationships with local and national trade associations to

generate new business, and successfully obtained business from one of

Chicago's largest drywallers.

Previous Experience:

SEMOTUS SOLUTIONS - Major Account Manager, Chicago, IL (1999-2002)

METROLOGIC INSTRUMENTS - Major Account Manager Chicago, IL (1996-1999)

ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR - Branch Rental Manager, Chicago, IL (1993-1996)

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Masters of Business Administration - PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations - Golden Gate UNIVERSITY

TRAINING: Power Base Selling; Hiring and Selecting the Right People;

Effective Sales Management; Mastering Impactful Communication; How to

Communicate with Diplomacy, Tact and Credibility

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