Branch Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Branch Manager

Company: Security Equipment Supply, Inc. (SES)

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt

About Security Equipment Supply (SES)

Security Equipment Supply (SES) is a second-generation, family-owned distributor of low-voltage electronics. Since 1982, we've grown to 16 locations across 11 states, delivering trusted solutions in access control, fire and life safety, surveillance, home entertainment, and more.

We’re in a transformative phase—modernizing operations, investing in technology, and enhancing customer and employee experiences. SES is committed to growing talent from within and creating meaningful career paths across the organization. Most roles are hybrid, providing flexibility while driving impact.

At SES, we don’t just work here — we care for what we’ve built and the people we work with.

Live the SES Way: Family • Respect • Celebration • Excellence • Integrity

Work the SES Way: Curiosity • Fun-Loving Spirit • Commitment to Growth

Position Overview

The primary function of this position is to manage all areas of branch operations. This includes all aspects of daily operations involving sales and logistics staff while helping to implement policies, procedures and best practices to achieve the overall goals for the branch and Company.

What You’ll Do

• Always maintain or exceed the high SES standards for customer service. Variances in customer service levels provided should be reported to Sales or Operations Manager or another applicable Administrative manager.
• Must have working knowledge of all branch operational and sales responsibilities including, but not limited to, counter and telephone sales, shipping, receiving, repairs/CRS, RM module, and inventory control.
• Work in tandem with Sales Manager in developing better vendor & representative relations, setting up customer and employee trainings and counter days. Strategize with the Sales Manager and Marketing Department for a go to market approach.
• Promote an environment of growth for SES and for our customers
  • Prospect new customers, including visits outside of the branch to discuss business with potential SES customers
  • Support others in the branch in pursuit of growth for our business
• Responsible for the reduction of slow moving, discontinued, and dead stock to maintain inventory health
  • Focus on meeting key performance metrics, including, but not limited to
    • Inventory Turns
    • D&E Ranked Product in the Branch
    • Surplus Stock
• Achieve branch sales goals as set by the Sales Manager. Achieve personal sales goals to lead and set example for Salespeople.
  • This would include planning sessions to attain goals and mentoring of existing sales team
  • Setting goals and expectations for sales team to encourage hitting monthly and quarterly targets that allow him/her to participate in the SES sales commission plan
  • Review of Customer performance metrics and plan how to recapture lost business and support growing customers
  • Remain cognizant of gross profit goals, and items that impact them including but not limited to
    • Freight billed to customer vs cost
    • Selling price compared to cost of goods sold
    • Restocking fees
• Work in conjunction with the corporate office in the areas of recruiting, hiring, on-boarding, training, and development of Branch Personnel.
  • Support for Company initiatives that invest in our People, including but not limited to
    • New Hire Training
    • Ongoing Training
    • Increased Product Knowledge
    • Other training or mentoring to retain high performers and encourage relevant up-to-date skill sets
• Endeavor to empower, train, and mentor Assistant Branch Manager, where applicable, in branch management responsibilities, so they can be performed during his / her absence
• Promote the growth of branch through empowering individual and team performance, as well as utilizing effective delegation of the roles and responsibilities within the branch
• Consult with Sales Manager or Operations Manager as well as Human Resources on handling of all employee evaluations, grievances, or other issues.
• Ensure that steps are taken to maintain an accurate inventory for the benefit of our customer service and protection of our working capital.
  • This includes overall organization of the warehouse and showroom, conducting cycle counts, adjustments and preparation for physical inventory
• Oversee daily stocking / merchandising of the showroom as well as the overall appearance. Ensure demonstration units are current and in good working order
• Ensure all administrative tasks are completed in a timely manner
  • Branch Manager should possess the ability to perform all such tasks required for reporting to Corporate offices information about branch activities and operations.
• Maintain regular, open communications with the Sales Manager to ensure the consistency of message within the branch. Also, maintain the same communication with the Corporate Office.
• Ensure all company policies and procedures are followed at all times and report any violations to the Sales or Operations Manager.
• Maintain a safe, secure, and clean working environment.

Required Skills

• Oral and written comprehension and expression
• Problem solving ability
• Possess ability to work autonomously and collaboratively
• Training and mentoring
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Suite of products
• Travel and some night/weekend work will be required (approximately < 10% total travel required)

What We Are Looking For

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 5 to 7 years of relevant sales experience
• 1 to 3 years of management experience preferred
• Experience in low voltage industries specifically in fire and life safety, video surveillance, access control, and voice communication

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without reasonable notice.

Work Environment

This job operates in a branch/warehouse environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopier and standard software suite(s), such as the ERP system, and the Microsoft Suite of products. This position routinely is exposed to warehouse/showroom activities, such as handling inventory and interaction with customers.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities may include, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Why Join SES?

• Competitive compensation: market-aligned salary + performance incentives
• Profit sharing & retirement: SEP IRA contributions and annual profit-sharing bonuses
• Health benefits: affordable medical, dental, and vision plans
• Career growth: ongoing development, advancement opportunities, and a promote- from-within culture

Next Steps

As part of our hiring process, we invite you to complete a brief personality survey to help us understand how you work best.

Be part of a growing company where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your success is celebrated.