Retail Sales Representative – Southeast

Remote within the Southeast territory (NC, SC, GA, FL), reporting to the Retail Sales Manager.

About the role

The Retail Sales Representative will drive sales in select big-box home-improvement stores by building store-level relationships, providing on-site support and training, and delivering outstanding customer service. The role focuses on promoting the Fortress Building Products portfolio, training store associates in product knowledge, merchandising, and executing in-store marketing initiatives. Primary accounts are Home Depot & Lowe’s Pro Deck/Pro Sales personnel in the Building Materials/Lumber area. The position is home-office based with regular travel within the assigned territory and includes inside sales support via phone as the geography expands.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a high-energy, in-depth knowledge of the Fortress portfolio.
• Meet or exceed monthly sales and budget goals.
• Conduct 3–5 store visits per day, depending on territory size.
• Train store associates in product knowledge, selling techniques, technical information, installation, and order placement.
• Uphold company merchandise presentation policies and ensure consistent brand integrity across locations.
• Execute in-store merchandising: attractive sales-floor displays, full down-stocking, accurate signage, and plan-o-gram layouts.
• Drive additional sales via phone outreach to stores beyond the core territory.
• Direct stores to Fortress-authorized retail/eCom distributor partners to facilitate sales.
• Train distributor sales personnel on Fortress products to extend brand leadership.
• Analyze store sales and inventory to maintain optimal product mix and levels; seek opportunities for additional representation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with store management, in-aisle associates, and Pro Desk personnel.
• Resolve customer inquiries regarding orders, shipments, products, installation, pricing, and delivery schedules.
• Communicate order variations or delays promptly and collaborate with cross-functional teams to expedite orders.
• Act as the liaison between customers and the company, addressing issues with professionalism and empathy.
• Conduct and report competitive market analysis and other sales-related intelligence for the territory.
• Complete and submit a Weekly Sales Activity Report and update the CRM system accurately and on time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum 1–2 years of practical customer service, inside sales, or small local outside sales experience.
• Experience in the construction, home improvement, or building products industry preferred.
• Ability to proactively develop and execute solutions that meet customer and business needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer-facing abilities with a drive to positively influence others.
• Self-directed: able to structure productive activity plans from a home office with little supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• CRM experience a plus.
• Up to 60% overnight travel required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Work environment

Field-based outside sales role operating from a home office. Routine use of standard office equipment. Regular travel to customer sites may involve varying environmental conditions and require personal protective equipment (e.g., steel-toe shoes, hearing protection).

Physical demands

Regularly required to sit, stand, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers. Close vision abilities are essential. Light to moderate lifting is required. Ability to manage the physical demands and stress of frequent travel is essential.