Franchise Account Executive - Augusta, ME/Syracuse, NY

As a Franchise Account Executive at OPENLANE, you're responsible for creating exceptional customer experiences while driving business growth. Your role involves aligning internal and external stakeholders to ensure commitment to objectives and successful outcomes. You'll serve as a central point of contact for both internal resources and customers, enabling effective communication and collaboration. Monitoring performance metrics and sales in your assigned territories will be crucial, and you'll proactively resolve any issues that arise to ensure high customer satisfaction.

To be considered for the Franchise Account Executive role at OPENLANE, you should have 3-5 years of related sales or account management experience. Strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities, and a customer-centric approach are essential. Familiarity with online technologies, especially Google Suite, is necessary. While not mandatory, experience with Salesforce and data analysis tools like DOMO is a plus, and a Bachelor's Degree would be advantageous.

The annual salary for a Franchise Account Executive at OPENLANE ranges from $55,000 to $60,000, depending on your experience, skill set, and qualifications. Additionally, there’s a monthly bonus target of $2,500, which could boost your earnings significantly based on performance, aiming for an annual bonus range of $2,500 to $30,000.

At OPENLANE, Franchise Account Executives enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage with employer contributions. You will also participate in a 401K plan with a company match, receive paid vacation and personal time, and benefit from paid maternity and paternity leave. Additional benefits include paid short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational reimbursement opportunities.

While it’s not strictly required, residing within the assigned territories of Augusta, ME, or Syracuse, NY, is highly preferred for the Franchise Account Executive role at OPENLANE. This helps ensure effective customer engagement and allows for timely travel within the region, which is expected to be around 15% of the time.

To manage time effectively as a Franchise Account Executive, prioritize tasks by aligning them with both customer needs and business goals. Utilize tools for tracking deadlines and set clear objectives for each day. Regularly review progress to adjust plans as necessary, ensuring that urgent matters are addressed promptly while still making time for long-term relationship-building activities.

In a previous role, I exceeded my sales target by 30% in one quarter by leveraging a new customer engagement strategy that involved personalized outreach. By analyzing customer data, I identified key prospects and tailored my approach, which resulted in a strong increase in customer acquisitions and boosted overall sales.

Building strong customer relationships starts with active listening and understanding their goals. I ensure to communicate clearly and consistently, providing valuable insights and support. Additionally, I follow up regularly to gather feedback and check in on their needs, reinforcing their trust and reliance on my expertise.

Handling difficult clients requires patience and understanding. I first listen to their concerns without interruption, showing empathy. Then, I work to find a solution collaboratively, keeping the communication open while ensuring that we address their needs and expectations effectively.

I leverage technology by utilizing CRM tools to manage leads and track customer interactions. I also incorporate analytics tools to gain insights into customer behavior, which allows me to tailor my sales strategies. Proficiency in digital communication platforms ensures efficient collaboration with both clients and colleagues.

My approach to educating customers starts with understanding their unique needs and demonstrating how the product or service can solve their specific issues. I provide clear, step-by-step training sessions and create easy-to-understand materials that they can refer to afterward, ensuring that they feel confident in utilizing the new offering.

Success as a Franchise Account Executive can be measured through various KPIs, including customer satisfaction scores, sales growth in assigned territories, and retention rates. Regular reflection on these metrics helps to identify areas of improvement and is essential for setting stretch goals that challenge and motivate me.

Teamwork is crucial for my success as it enhances collaboration and allows for the pooling of diverse skills and insights. I actively involve my colleagues in strategic discussions and leverage our collective knowledge and strengths, ensuring we work towards a common goal of supporting our customers effectively.

Staying updated on industry trends involves regularly reading industry publications, attending webinars, and participating in networking events. I also engage with relevant online communities where I can share experiences and learn from peers, ensuring I’m always informed and prepared to adapt my strategies accordingly.

I would define my sales style as consultative and customer-focused. I believe in building relationships based on trust and understanding rather than aggressive selling techniques. By focusing on how I can provide value to the customer, I create a win-win scenario where both the customer and the company benefit.