Chris Sears
Sales Director - Waypoint Outdoor · Waypoint Outdoor
Oceanside, California
In My Own Words
• Market Expansion Specialist • Team Leader • Relationship Management • Sales & Marketing Strategist Five years of trade show administration, four years of national sales management and six years as a multi-line, independent sales representative are preparation for more complex leadership roles. Adept at driving growth and improving team performance. Effective in building new business, securing customer loyalty, and forging strong relationships with business partners.
Work Experience
Sales Director
Waypoint Outdoor2021 – Present
Selling brands with a conscience and a plan to combat climate change.
Principal Consultant
CS Brand Management Consulting2014 – Present
• Partnership development and sales & marketing management of action sports, outdoor and lifestyle brands. Selected Achievements: • Creation of targeted marketing and brand strategies for clients to launch into emerging markets. • Provide access to broad network of key retailers and industry influencers to increase market presence. • Recruitment, development, and management of national sales team and go-to-market strategy.
Outdoor Retailer - Retail Relations / Brand Development Coordinator
Emerald Expositions2016 – 2021
• Represent Outdoor Retailer at over 10 regional trade shows annually, networking with sales reps, retailers, show and brand management and compiling feedback for program development. • Collaborate with the Marketing Department in the creation of informational content and development of educational programs.
Outdoor Retailer - Retail Relations / Brand Development Manager
Emerald Expositions2017 – 2021
• Develop attendee strategy for the largest B2B tradeshow serving outdoor and snow sports. • Oversee attendee development, key account management, customer and vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and day to day agency business functions.
National Sales Manager
QALO Inc.2015 – 2016
• Responsible for national sales and brand strategy for accessories brand. • Oversee all sales and business development, key account management, customer and vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and sales training for all channels including military, sports, and outdoor. Selected Achievements: • Hired and trained a nationwide network of sales representatives. • Developed a strong SMU product presence in the U.S. Navy and Marine Exchanges.
National Sales & Marketing Manager
FiiK USA2014 – 2015
• Recruitment, training, and management of inside employees, outside sales reps and international distributors. Management of inside sales staff in Florida based office, and international freelance artists/writers, from personal home office based in California. • Established systems internally to track social media growth, issued press releases, designed trade show booth for 2015, lead design on sales materials, web site, built order forms, established sales rep programs, retailer and rental programs, liability waiver program for electric skateboard division with FiiK legal. Recruited various You Tube reviewers, magazine affiliates, professional athlete ambassadors, and industry influencers to introduce this established Australian company and category to the North American market.
National Sales and Marketing Manager
Golf Skate Caddy™ USA2014 – 2015
• Establishment of sales material and initial North American website build. Lead trade show booth design/concepts. • Worked with upper level management to establish sales, lease, and revenue share programs for golf courses • Worked with GSC legal team to create liability waivers, training videos, and safety precautions for course partners • Management of inside team based in Florida from home offices in California. • Recruitment of Golf Specific Sales Agency, The Duran Group, to lead sales efforts in the golf market. Trained DG upper level staff, inside & outside sales staff the GSC sales, lease, and revenue share programs and product specifications. • Established relationships with varying magazine affiliates, television groups, and golf associations
National Sales Manager
Ocean Minded2012 – 2013
• Accountable for sales and customer service for this beach footwear brand. • Provided direction for sales and customer service representatives through planning, education, budgeting and sales reporting. Selected Achievements: • Hired and trained a nationwide network of sales representatives. • Developed policies for and hired customer service representatives. • Created a beach cleanup program with numerous USLA Junior Lifeguard programs, in association with retailers, to educate participants in the program on environmental responsibility.
Account Manager
WEST Surfing2010 – 2012
Responsible for all wetsuit and clothing sales, merchandising, in-store marketing/employee education, promo, and brand expansion within Florida, Alabama and Georgia.
Account Manager
LOADED CARVING SYSTEMS2010 – 2012
Managed account sales, product education, local marketing efforts, and new account research and establishment in North Florida.
Account Manager
SWITCHBOARD INC, SKATE DISTRIBUTION2009 – 2012
Independent Sales Rep distributing Given, Dog Town, and Hosoi skateboards, to specialty retail.
Account Manager
Ocean Minded2010 – 2012
Responsible for all sandal/shoe sales/accessories, merchandising/employee education, in-store marketing, promo, and brand expansion within Florida and Georgia.
Account Manager
ERGO Clothing2006 – 2012
Assisted in regional pioneering of start up apparel line in the Southeast. Managed all ground level marketing, sales, regional team acquisition, in store merchandising, and customer service in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Created educational components for retail employees to assist in brand recognition.
Account Manager
AJW Surfboards2008 – 2012
Responsible for all sales, product education, new business, regional marketing, and sales forecasting .
Account Manager
VERTRA - Elemental Resistance2010 – 2012
Responsible for all VERTRA sales, merchandising, in-store marketing/employee education, promo and brand expansion within N. Florida.
Account Manager
Pro-Lite International, Inc.2011 – 2012
Responsible for all count and fill sales within territory, product education for account's staff, generating new sales, regional marketing, and in store merchandising..
Education
Point Pleasant Borough High School
1994 – 1998
Required Curriculum, AP Biology, Key Club President
Bachelor of Science
Barry University1998 – 2002
Sports Medicine/Athletic Training. Nationally Board Certified and State Licensed Athletic Trainer
Interests
Skills
Industries
Activity
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