News & Opinion ·

We're Hiring! (An Outside Sales Consultant)

by Dylan Schleicher
Porchlight is a place with a rich history and a vibrant future where books have the power to inform, inspire, and unite. 

Porchlight Book Company, a leading independent book retailer located in Milwaukee, WI, seeks an energetic and motivated full-time Outside Sales Consultant to spearhead our new business corporate outreach sales initiative, both locally and nationally. Born out of a 3rd generation family-owned bookshop founded in 1927 and specializing in selling and shipping books in bulk since 1984, Porchlight is guided by our enduring motto, "We believe in books." With this position, we offer a unique opportunity to join a company with a rich history and a vibrant future where books have the power to inform, inspire, and unite.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

  1. Lead the effort in gaining new corporate clients and maintaining strong relationships with existing ones to ensure customer loyalty and repeat business.   
  2. Expand our customer base with strategic outreach such as cold calling, LinkedIn messaging, or other sales efforts aligned with our sales and marketing blueprint. 
  3. Initiate and conduct meetings with potential clients to understand their needs and drive the sales journey. 
  4. Build a robust network by engaging with industry peers, potential leads, and other stakeholders through various events and forums.  
  5. Tailor solutions for clients’ book sourcing and logistic challenges through Porchlight’s service offerings, aiming for optimal company profits. 
  6. Expertly negotiate and close deals, ensuring favorable outcomes for both the company and clients.  
  7. Maintain detailed records of sales activities, generate insightful reports, and collaborate with the sales team to share strategies and market intelligence.  
  8. Craft professional emails, proposals, and service contracts, including quotes and estimates for products and services. 
  9. Ensure client satisfaction through prompt follow-up, addressing concerns, and fostering ongoing partnerships.  
  10. Contribute to company meetings and discussions, aiming for the continuous enhancement of our customer service and sales strategies. 
  11. Tackle additional roles as needed, playing a vital part in the betterment of our company community. 

Required Skills and Strengths 

  • Proven success in outside sales with 3+ years or relevant experience required. 
  • Self-starter, ability to work independently and adaptively, own work and subsequent results. 
  • Clear and direct communicator with a knack for relationship-building and complex problem solving.  
  • Exceptional organizational skills, prioritizing time management and efficiency.  
  • Deep commitment to creating memorable client experiences.  
  • Genuine interest in people and the desire to make a meaningful connection with every interaction. 
  • A passion for books and the impact they make. 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is preferred but not required.  

 Benefits: 

  •  Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy a generous accrual system for PTO, encompassing sick, personal, and vacation time without the need to differentiate. 
  • Floating Holidays: Benefit from two additional floating holidays each year. 
  • Healthcare Coverage: Receive substantial company contributions with 80% coverage for employee healthcare plans and 50% for dependents (spouses and children). 
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Set aside pre-tax dollars to manage health and medical expenses more effectively. 
  • Comprehensive Insurance: Disability coverage (short-term and long-term) and life insurance are fully provided. 
  • Retirement Savings Plan: Take advantage of a competitive 401k match, up to 3.5% of your wages. 

Join Us: 

Porchlight Book Company isn't just about books—it's about the connections and experiences they create. As our Outside Sales Consultant, you'll be the cornerstone of our continued growth. If you're ready to craft a narrative of success for our clients and our company, we invite you to apply. 

Salary starts at $75k/year. Please send resume and cover letter detailing your sales interest and experience, and why you believe in books to: sally@porchlightbooks.com. No calls please. 

 

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