Apparel Sales Representative - Northern Illinois

About the Company

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, performing arts, and yearbook. Focused on safety, entertainment, and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, competitions, and yearbook, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

The safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Varsity Spirit has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities and is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws.

About the Role

This is an outside sales, hybrid position. Sales activity takes place across a home office, local schools, community events, and in-person meetings with clients. The territory covers McHenry, Winnebago, Lake, Kane, and Boone counties, IL. Sales Representatives live within or in close proximity to the region they serve and regularly travel throughout their assigned territory to manage local client relationships and maximize sales opportunities.

Hours vary based on customer needs, with evening and weekend work required. Travel is primarily local, though some out-of-area and overnight travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prospect for territory sales
• Conduct consults and fittings with coaches and their athletes
• Meet and exceed assigned territory sales goals
• Provide honest and confident feedback about style and fit
• Seek fashion and product knowledge to build expertise
• Maintain personal drive to seek professional growth
• Build rapport and lasting relationships with customers
• Travel to appointments within the territory
• Excel in a work-from-home environment
• Recruit for summer camp brands
• Represent Varsity Brands by demonstrating company core values: Spirit, Passion, Innovation, Respect, Integrity, and Transparency

Requirements

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
• Ability to grasp new technology and understanding of Microsoft Suite
• Knowledge of the cheer and dance industry
• Willingness to learn in-depth product construction, technicalities, and pricing
• Ability to cultivate a distraction-free in-home office
• Reliable travel for regular face-to-face touch points
• Strong organization and follow-through skills
• Ability to generate leads, forecast sales cycles, anticipate problems, and create effective solutions
• Aspiration to meet and exceed sales goals

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business education, or related field preferred
• Industry experience preferred
• Experience in an administrative support role for at least 2 years

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, bending, lifting, kneeling, walking, and driving
• Must be able to lift 15-30 pounds

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay

The base draw for this job is $40,000 plus the possibility of additional performance-based incentives. The base draw may vary based on criteria such as education, experience, qualifications, location, internal equity, and market alignment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care benefits
• HSA employer contribution / FSA opportunities
• Wellbeing program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company-paid life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance
• Generous My Time Off and paid holidays
• Varsity Brands ownership program
• Employee resource groups
• Access to financial coaching and a member-owned credit union
• St. Jude partnership and volunteer opportunities
• Employee perks, including discounts on personal apparel and equipment