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Sales Representative - Independent Contractor

Sales Representative - Independent Contractor

EE Schenck Company, an internationally recognized leader in high quality fabrics and notions for the past century, is seeking a commissioned independent Sales Representative to offer a full range of products to an established customer base of quilt shops, fabric and craft stores, online retailers, manufacturers and other related businesses, as well as prospecting new accounts. Each region is an established sales territory that includes the states listed.
The ideal candidate will have prior selling experience, along with excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills. Candidates must demonstrate employment stability, a proven history of growing sales, outstanding customer service, and a strong work ethic and professional image. Experience with fabric and sewing is preferred.
This is a 1099 commission-based position. Income is commensurate with sales volume generated by making consistent calls on existing and new customers.

In this role, you will:

  • Conduct daily, in-person sales meetings with business owners and store employees, presenting fabric and notion samples provided, while establishing strong customer relationships.
  • Conduct in-person meetings with at least two accounts per day / five days per week.
  • Plan an efficient travel schedule to ensure all customers review new product launches, which occur a minimum of four times per year.
  • Submit weekly Itinerary/Call Reports including daily sales activity with the date the account was visited, product reviewed, and dollar value of orders placed.
  • Research and perform cold calls on prospective new accounts.
  • Utilize monthly sales reports to track progress and identify opportunities.
  • Maintain organized fabric and notion samples, updating them based on product availability.
  • Participate in monthly sales calls via Microsoft Teams.
  • Stay current on the latest industry trends and products.

EE Schenck provides you with:

  • Ongoing training, including introductory training at our headquarters in Portland, OR followed by field training.
  • Additional training via monthly sales team calls and individual account review and planning sessions.
  • Monthly sales reports to help maintain sales focus.
  • New sales leads to expand customer base.
  • Access to our Customer Service team and in-house support for you and your customers.
  • A scanner for seamless order processing, along with an Apple iPad and EE Schenck email for order placement and business communication.
  • Web-based order processing and customer account information.
  • Samples for in-person sales presentations including sales flyers and catalogs, fabric headers, and actual product samples.

Required qualifications:

  • Professional, personable and capable of working with a variety of customers.
  • Reliable personal transportation to get you, and the larger volume of samples required for sales presentations, to customer appointments.
  • Overnight travel up to 80% of the time and may include attending regional or national trade shows.
  • Capability to lift and move heavy sample bags and other items needed for customer presentations.
  • Demonstrated sales skills with the ability to exceed customer expectations.
  • Computer literate and social media savvy.
  • Ability to navigate Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams and an Apple iPad.
  • High School Diploma / General Education. Some college preferred.
  • Must reside within this sales territory.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Customer Service mindset.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Proven ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
  • Persistent follow up with “out-of-the-box” selling mentality.
  • A desire to build long-term relationships with customers.
  • Personal quilting or sewing experience.

About EE Schenck Company:

Founded in 1921, EE Schenck is a wholesale distributor and producer of fabric, thread, notions, crafts, patterns and more to our customer base which includes: independent quilt shops, fabric and craft stores, online retailers, manufacturers and other related businesses. EE Schenck is the home of Maywood Studio, a leading fabric manufacturer known for high-quality, timeless quilting fabric that is sold through independent retailers.

How to apply:

  • Prepare a resume with a cover letter in word or PDF format to upload.
  • Click here to complete our application.
  • Once you complete the application, including your resume and cover letter, click submit and your information will be routed to our hiring manager.

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