Program Sales Manager

As a Program Sales Manager at our company, your primary responsibilities will include overseeing sales across various sectors such as retail and wholesaling, while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. You'll develop and implement effective sales strategies, manage and mentor a team of sales associates, conduct performance reviews, and collaborate with other departments to ensure that our product offerings remain innovative and relevant.

To be considered for the Program Sales Manager role, candidates should possess at least a High School Diploma or equivalent, with a college degree preferred. Additionally, a minimum of three years of sales experience, complemented by previous supervisory or management roles, is necessary. A working knowledge of supply chain dynamics and an understanding of produce products are also crucial for success in this position.

Essential skills for the Program Sales Manager include effective leadership capabilities, strong decision-making skills, proficiency in using technology for order entry and forecasting, and a solid understanding of supply chain management. Candidates should also have excellent communication skills, allowing them to effectively engage with both clients and team members.

A Program Sales Manager will be expected to set ambitious sales targets aimed at increasing market share and boosting case movement. These goals should align with the company’s profit objectives and overall sales strategy, driving not just unit sales but also fostering long-term client relationships.

The Program Sales Manager plays a key role in product line decisions by working closely with merchandising to recommend innovative offerings. They will analyze market needs and customer feedback to ensure the product lines remain competitive and profitable while also seeking approval from upper management for new product introductions.

When answering this question, focus on your previous roles, highlighting how you successfully led a sales team, achieved targets, and developed strategic plans. Use specific examples of challenges you've overcome and how your leadership contributed to the team’s success.

Outline your methodical approach to developing a sales strategy, starting from market analysis and research to setting specific goals. Emphasize the importance of adapting strategies based on customer feedback and sales metrics, and demonstrate your analytical and creative thinking skills.

Discuss techniques you employ to support and motivate your team, such as regular meetings for goal-setting, ongoing training sessions, and performance tracking. Highlight your ability to create a positive team culture focused on collaboration and accountability.

Describe your experiences in building and maintaining strong customer relationships. Share specific instances where you've helped resolve client issues, solicited feedback for improvements, and built rapport to enhance customer retention and loyalty.

Provide examples of past conflicts you've resolved, focusing on your communication skills and negotiation tactics. Emphasize your ability to listen to both sides and facilitate a resolution that maintains team unity and productivity.

Discuss specific tools and software you've used for sales forecasting, explaining how they helped you analyze sales data and predict future market trends. Mention your proficiency with spreadsheets and order entry systems, demonstrating your adaptability in using technology.

Explain your time management strategy, discussing how you prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact. Mention any tools or techniques you use to stay organized and ensure that important deadlines are met without compromising quality.

Share strategies you've found effective for motivating sales associates, such as recognition of achievements, providing opportunities for professional development, and setting challenging yet attainable goals to drive performance.

Describe your analytical method for identifying issues when sales targets aren’t met. Highlight how you would investigate, seek feedback from your team, and implement necessary changes to improve strategies and drive results.

Provide a detailed example of a sales strategy you've successfully implemented, including the planning process, execution, metrics used to measure success, and the outcomes achieved. This showcases your ability to create and manage impactful sales initiatives.