Director of Sales and Marketing

Since 1947, Polo Custom Products has built a strong reputation as a trusted custom manufacturing partner, providing innovative sewn, sealed, and thermoformed solutions for customers across a variety of industries. Today, Polo continues to build on that foundation while expanding its capabilities, customer relationships, and domestic and international presence.

Polo Custom Products is seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands-on Director of Sales & Marketing to lead our sales and marketing organization during an important period of growth. This leader will be responsible for developing a high-performing sales team, strengthening customer relationships, expanding new business opportunities, and translating Polo's strategic goals into clear, measurable department and individual sales objectives and results.

As a key member of Polo's Senior Leadership and Executive Teams, the Director of Sales & Marketing will bring strong leadership, accountability, and discipline to sales planning, pipeline management, forecasting, and execution. This leader will work closely across Operations, Engineering, Finance, and other functions to establish clear ownership and accountability, improve processes, and ensure the Sales team remains focused on customers, revenue growth, and long-term profitability.

This is an opportunity for a collaborative sales leader who understands complex or custom manufacturing environments and is excited to help shape Polo's continued growth, including expanding customer relationships and opportunities in both domestic and international markets.

Position Title:

Director, Sales & Marketing

Department:

Sales & Marketing; Polo Executive

Location:

Topeka (onsite)

FLSA Classification:

Exempt / Fulltime

Reports To:

President, CEO

POSITION SUMMARY

Leads, plans, and executes all sales and marketing activities for Polo which drive continuous improvement in customer satisfaction and dependence, revenue and profit growth, and overall company mission success. As a member of the Senior Leadership and Executive Teams, the Director of Sales & Marketing plays a key role in shaping the future for Polo Custom Products and realizing the goals of short and long term strategy and vision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Primary accountability for specific functions and results)

1. Serves as a positive role model consistent with Polo's corporate culture at all times.

1. Oversees all aspects of the company's sales and marketing activities to ensure accountabilities and growth objectives are achieved, translating corporate goals into measurable department and individual sales goals/KPIs.
2. Becomes a credible expert in our manufacturing capabilities in order to sell effectively to new and existing customers.
3. Secures and develops new and existing sales programs through effective coordination/communication across all functional areas/departments, ensuring clear cross-functional ownership and accountability so Sales remains focused on customers and growth.
4. Drives process improvement and documentation within the sales team to ensure we are consistent and prepared for any turnover in the department.
5. Directly and indirectly recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and develops high-potential players in all staff roles necessary to the department and company objectives.
6. Directly and indirectly recruits, hires, trains, directs, and motivates high-performance manufacturers' reps nationally and internationally.
7. Provides top-level oversight for development and execution of all marketing research, advertising, and promotional efforts and production for Polo Custom Products.
8. Develops and implements appropriate pricing and service strategies to ensure each customer is profitable. Conducts annual customer pricing reviews.
9. Develops and executes short and long-term strategic sales & marketing forecasting plans and objectives, including pipeline management, forecast accuracy, and consistent reporting/visibility.
10. Develops annual sales forecasts and department expense budgets in conjunction with the schedule of Polo timelines.
11. Serves as a member of Polo's Executive Leadership Team, prepares a summary report for the meetings, and attends the monthly meetings.
12. Travels as needed to customers, suppliers, trade shows, seminars, and manufacturing facilities.
13. Ensures that all qualified sales leads, sample request, and quotes, whether from internal sources or outside Sales Reps, are followed up in the expected timeframes and coaches staff to meet this objective.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (Not essential & could be performed by others, if necessary)

1. Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Collaborates with all internal departments to meet departmental and overall corporate objectives.
2. Stays informed on relevant market conditions and industry changes in which Polo operates.
3. Plans and executes National Sales Meetings as necessary.
4. Attends trade shows as needed to support the internal and external sales team. Does not have to attend each one.

DIMENSIONS OF AUTHORITY

Positions that report to this position:

Sales Division Market Mgrs., Business Development Manager, Sales Operations and Analytics Manager, Customer Relations Team, and Independent Rep Agencies

Limits of authority to change subordinates' salaries, job assignments, operating policies, etc.:

No limit with approval of President & CEO.

Limits of capital expenditure authority:

As budgeted; Capital Expenditures as approved by Executive Team.

Other limits to authority:

N/A

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform at a proficient level and to be fully qualified, a person would be expected to have:

Education:

(minimum required)

4-year Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Business, Economics, or Industrial Engineering

Experience:

(minimum required)

8 years Sales Management in a fast-paced, engineering oriented / B-B industrial custom (preferred) manufacturing company.
Experience with international sales is preferred.

Licenses/Certifications:

(minimum required)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (minimum required):

1. Strong ability and desire to interact with others and meet new customers, Reps, etc. and create meaningful relationships quickly.
2. Utilizes experience to coach staff in how to approach customers, leads, and increase sales.
3. Strong ability to collaborate with manufacturing and other internal groups to increase sales to customers.
4. Excellent conscientiousness to follow up and ensure completion of duties and customer needs.
5. Strong delegation skills with a focus on holding others accountable to meet sales forecasts and customer needs.
6. Mechanical and mathematical aptitude sufficient to maintain credibility in our marketplace, including reading and comprehension of blueprints, assembly drawings, charts & graphs, basic statistical analysis, etc.
7. Knowldege of custom manufacturing processes or strong willingness to learn about Raw materials, plant throughput, supply chain logistics, etc.
8. Excellent communication skills.
9. Detail-oriented.
10. Self-Directed and Motivated
11. Creative and efficient in problem-solving
12. Team-oriented competitor
13. Professional in demeanor and appearance.

Physical Requirements:

1. Able to sit for extended periods of time while conducting work on computer workstations including mouse, keyboard and monitor.
2. Able to communicate via phone, e-mail, or in person with internal and external customers.
3. Able to constantly move about the facility.
4. Able to operate standard office machines.

Work Environment:

1. Typical office environment.

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of working being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.