Sales Manager (Funeral) -- ABILENE TX

About the role

We seek a highly-qualified, motivated Funeral Home and Cemetery Sales Manager in the Abilene, TX area. The Sales Manager plays an essential role in generating revenue for the funeral home(s) and/or cemetery(ies). This person is the primary reference for the Family Service Professionals and/or Advanced Planning Professionals and helps manage contact with our families and interaction with them to fulfill their death care needs. As the Sales Manager, you will be positioned for a successful career in the funeral industry.

Responsibilities

• Coach Family Service Professionals and/or Advanced Planning Professionals and act as their primary reference regarding customer service and satisfaction, prospecting, product knowledge, sales presentations, closing skills, prices, terms, paperwork, sales guideline interpretation etc.
• Responsible for scheduling, lead distribution, follow up and other aspects of managing a sales team, except that the Sales Manager is not required to sell a product/service
• Generate sales leads through professionally serving at-need families, networking and interacting in the community; partner with other businesses, arrange and coordinate group seminars
• Assist the VP in developing the annual location pre-need sales budget and for ensuring that the location pre-need sales budget is met
• Accountable for 24-hour response to customer complaints and teaching the Family Service Professionals and/or Advanced Planning Professionals how to make those complaints an opportunity for both the family and the company
• Establishment and review of activity and performance plans for Advanced Planning Professionals and/or Family Service Professionals
• Hiring, discipline, termination, training, advancement and placement of Family Service Professionals and/or Advanced Planning Professionals
• Responsible for management of assigned Advanced Planning Professionals and/or Family Service Professionals, including management of attendance, absenteeism, leave, pay issues and performance
• Communicate progress of team to the General Manager and Cemetery VP
• Jointly work with all personnel to ensure customer satisfaction
• Ensure compliance of sales practices with federal, state and local regulations (i.e. “No Call” Legislation)
• Review sales contracts written by the Advanced Planning Professionals and/or Family Service Professionals to make certain they follow sales guidelines
• Lead change initiatives which support seamless service
• Act as a resource person for estate planning with the intent to increase market share and new heritage
• Mentor sales professionals in leading by example. Job shadow to monitor performance and coach

Requirements

• 2–3 years funeral sales management experience preferred
• A valid Texas Life insurance license preferred
• 1–3 years experience as a Family Service Professional or Advanced Planning Professional preferred
• A history of community, civic, volunteer or sectarian work within the market
• Knowledge of computers and some software
• Good written and verbal communication skills needed for interactions with grieving families, co-workers, and other stakeholders to generate accurate, timely responses to questions and requests in a calm, professional manner
• Collaborate easily with co-workers, keep shared information up to date, and work well independently and on projects
• Works with other departments as needed
• Comes up with new ways to look at problems and processes in their work
• Shares viewpoints and information openly and listens attentively to others’ ideas and suggestions
• Communicates in a timely and effective manner with manager
• Proactively contributes to group objectives; volunteers to help others as needed
• Ability to interface well with personnel at all levels

Benefits

• Generous compensation including base salary and overrides
• Health benefits
• 401(k)
• Continuous training and development by supportive sales management teams
• Annual incentive trip