General Manager

• →Develop and maintain an annual business plan that includes programs and strategies for improving the profitability and overall performance of the division.
• →Maintain full P&L responsibility and maximize division profitability by implementing programs that optimize service, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
• →Provide leadership, direction, and motivation across both the sales and operational sides of the division.
• →Remain actively involved with sales leadership, sales representatives, and clients to support business growth, strengthen relationships, and help resolve business and product-related challenges.
• →Review daily reports and work with sales management on account and salesperson analysis while directing the resolution of operational issues.
• →Remain current on market conditions, product changes, price levels, terms, discounts, allowances, promotions, and supplier changes, adapting business strategy as conditions evolve.
• →Develop, maintain, and enhance strong working relationships between Ernest and our suppliers.
• →Work with vendor representatives and our purchasing team to maintain strong relationships and competitive pricing.
• →Develop and implement cost-saving measures that support the profitability and efficiency of the division.
• →Maintain responsibility for inventory control, including reviewing monthly inventory levels and ensuring inventory aligns with company month-supply expectations.
• →Monitor inventory turnover and take appropriate action to support efficient inventory management.
• →Review and negotiate freight costs.
• →Ensure all delivery commitments are met with the greatest possible efficiency and at the lowest appropriate cost.
• →Oversee the timely disposition of merchandise controls and return goods authorizations in partnership with the sales force and vendors.
• →Work with sales management to ensure the timely resolution and disposition of customer product-related issues.
• →Support company marketing activities by providing ideas, presenting concepts, contributing creatively, sharing information, and providing a support structure for agreed-upon plans.
• →Ensure all company policies and procedures are followed and respond appropriately to management direction.
• →Establish and maintain employee morale at a high level while fostering Ernest's people-first culture throughout the division.
• →Maintain overall responsibility for the training, growth, motivation, development, and success of the division's staff.
• →Participate in interviewing, hiring, assigning and directing work, employee discipline, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
• →Ensure employees are appropriately cross-trained to maintain continuity during vacations, sick leave, and other vacancies.
• →Review employee performance and determine merit pay increases with the approval of the Regional Vice President.
• →Commit the time necessary to effectively lead the division and achieve established business goals.

• Bachelor's degree and five or more years of experience in a General Manager, Director-level, or comparable senior leadership position preferred. Advanced degree is a plus.
• Strong background combining outside B2B sales experience with operational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, develop, and achieve results through others.
• Proven ability to lead both the commercial and operational sides of a business while maintaining accountability for overall financial performance.
• Proven track record of building strong relationships across organizational boundaries, overcoming challenging cross-functional issues, and effectively leading and influencing others.
• Strong client-facing capabilities with the ability to work alongside sales leadership and sales representatives to support relationships and business growth.
• Capable of organizing and managing multiple priorities in a fast-moving business environment.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex business documents and information.
• Ability to write procedures using original or innovative techniques or styles.
• Ability to deliver effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to senior and executive management.
• Working knowledge of spreadsheet software, order processing systems, project management software, and database software.

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