Park Consultant - Playground Equipment & Outdoor Amenity Sales

Northwest Playground•Eugene, OR

4d•$60,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Park Consultant is key in developing new business, nurturing customer relationships, and ensuring project success. You will lead the charge in your designated territory, driving sales through proactive outreach, needs analysis, and expert consultation. You will be the primary point of contact throughout the sales process, supported by a robust team for quoting, design, and logistics. Success in this role hinges on your ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and influence key decision-makers. A natural relationship-builder with a competitive drive, you will find innovative ways to connect customers’ needs with our solutions and ensure a high rate of client retention and satisfaction.

Requirements

Education: A bachelor’s degree in business, communication, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent experience will also be considered.
Experience: A minimum of 4 years of sales experience, ideally within the construction or outdoor recreation industry, is required. Prior experience managing RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs is highly beneficial.
Travel: Willingness to travel 60-75% of the time within and 5-10% outside the territory.
CRM Knowledge: Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM software is advantageous.
Technical Expertise: The ability to read construction plans, specifications, and take-offs is required.
Soft Skills: Strong communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively.
Tech Proficiency: Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Smartphone, Notebook, and able to quickly learn internal project management and financial tools.
Construction Knowledge: Basic understanding of construction processes and the ability to attend bid meetings when required.

Responsibilities

Lead Generation & Territory Development: The Park Consultant will be responsible for building and expanding the client base within a defined geographic area. This involves:
Market Research: Identifying potential customers such as municipalities, schools, developers, and other entities involved in creating public spaces.
Cold Calling & Networking: Reaching out to prospective clients through cold calls, emails, and face-to-face meetings.
Client Outreach: Engaging with existing clients and deepening relationships to encourage repeat business.
Sales Pipeline Management: Building a robust sales pipeline by regularly updating the CRM system with leads, prospects, and sales activities.
Competitive Analysis: Monitoring competitors’ activities and products to position Northwest Playground Equipment strategically as the preferred choice.
Sales Planning & Execution: This role requires active planning and execution of sales strategies. Key duties include:
Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing weekly, monthly, and yearly sales goals tailored to the specific needs of your territory.
Sales Meetings: Participating in internal sales meetings to report on the status of your pipeline, receive updates, and collaborate with the team on winning strategies.
Forecasting: Understanding and forecasting future sales opportunities, maintaining consistent follow-up with clients to convert leads into confirmed sales.
Client Consultation & Needs Analysis: The Park Consultant must be adept at understanding clients’ needs and aligning them with company offerings. Responsibilities include:
Needs Assessment: Conducting in-depth discovery calls and site visits to identify the scope of the project, budget constraints, timelines, and key decision-makers.
Solution Design: Offering customized recommendations that align with client needs, whether it’s a playground, safety surfacing, or interactive amenities.
Consultative Selling: Providing expert advice on product benefits and addressing any client concerns or obstacles. This could include suggesting innovative solutions to enhance client projects.
Presentation & Demonstration: Engaging and persuading clients is critical. The Park Consultant will:
Product Demonstrations: Conduct on-site or virtual demonstrations to showcase the capabilities and advantages of Northwest Playground’s product offerings.
Trade Shows & Events: Represent the company at local and national trade shows, networking events, and community meetings to build brand visibility.
Presentation Mastery: Deliver compelling presentations, whether during Lunch-and-Learns, project pitches, or other professional settings.
Proposal & Bid Management: Park Consultants take a lead role in creating and managing project proposals and bids. This includes:
Proposal Development: Working closely with internal teams to ensure that proposals are accurate, competitive, and tailored to the client's needs.
Bid Coordination: Responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs), and Requests for Information (RFIs) in a timely manner, ensuring that all documentation is compliant and well-prepared.
Quote Initiation: Providing cost estimates, overseeing logistics, and coordinating with the design team to generate high-quality quotes for clients.
Project Coordination & Follow-Up: Once a sale is closed, Park Consultants remain involved to ensure client satisfaction. Key duties include:
Project Oversight: Collaborating with internal logistics and installation teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and to specification.
Client Follow-Up: Conducting post-project reviews and staying in touch with clients to maintain strong relationships for future opportunities.
Issue Resolution: Acting as the primary point of contact for any client issues that arise during project execution and working to resolve them quickly and effectively.
Client Relationship Management & Expansion: Maintaining and growing customer relationships is vital for long-term success. The Park Consultant will:
Client Retention: Build lasting relationships with key accounts through consistent communication and exceptional service.
Territory Management: Maximize the territory's potential by identifying opportunities for growth within existing client bases and continuously expanding the client network.
Referral Generation: Encourage satisfied clients to refer Northwest Playground Equipment to other potential customers in the industry.