Beth Blough
Sales Management and Leadership Development
Dawsonville,GA
Summary
A thought leader in business growth with a proven record of success in fast-paced environments with demanding timelines. Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt communication styles to all levels in the organization, from new graduates to the CEO. Dynamic and results-oriented with a proven track record in servant leadership that expanded local, regional, and national sales organizations. At the distribution level implemented the transformation of operational issues towards excellence. Expertise in driving profitable growth, implementing effective leadership training, cross functional sales strategies, and navigating complex, matrixed environments. Recognized for excellence in leadership, change management, and achieving double-digit growth consistently. Adept at fostering customer satisfaction across all sales and ordering processes.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Vice President
Office Images Inc
Roswell, GA
03.2023 - 01.2024
- Nashville/Atlanta Strategic Accounts/ People Development Architectural Products
- Aligned organizational objectives with company mission to increase business growth and integrate work strategies.
- Provided direction and leadership for 6 Senior sales representatives and 8 Account Managers.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
- Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.
- Devised and presented business plans and forecasts to ownership.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
Sr Director
VWR Avantor Inc
Radnor, PA
07.2022 - 03.2023
- Hired and staffed for new division of large account lab construction and acquisition
- Interim Director for the operations and project services team
- Lead and developed senior tenured reps for eastern half of the US
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Instituted formal operating procedures and enforced adherence to policies and regulations that impacted bottom-line.
- Prioritized and allocated valuable resources to meet business targets.
- Executed business plans and developed forecasting tools to facilitate project initiatives, trainings, and administrative activities.
- Directed design and execution of business transformation initiatives to drive performance, profit optimization and growth opportunities.
Director
The Senator Group
New York, NY
01.2019 - 07.2022
- National Accounts
- Created and shaped online sales programs for B2B/B2C retailers, resulting in significant market presence
- Launched EDI capabilities, B2B, and B2C ecommerce experiences, securing partnerships with national retailers
- Directed sales teams for the Eastern US and Canada, achieving 148% growth YOY through April 2020
- Launched the US version of companywide CRM, contributing to increased efficiency and growth.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
- Evaluated scripts to identify creative strategies and resource needs.
- Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas.
- Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
Regional Sales Director
Staples, Inc
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Revitalized a team, achieving revenue growth to $40 million with a margin increase from 8.5% to 25%
- Managed and coached teams, resulting in two individual contributors entering the top 10 performers
- Stabilized margin, increasing both top and bottom-line sales in the project and transactional space.
- Coordinated full sales operations within assigned region.
- Developed sales strategy based on research of consumer buying trends and market conditions.
- Forecasted sales and established processes to achieve sales objectives and related metrics.
- Managed sales team of 30 employees from New Enalgnd through Virginia.
- Prepared and reviewed annual budgets.
- Achieved dramatic sales increase by skillfully managing relationships and proactive sales approaches.
- Managed team of sales representatives, providing guidance, coaching and support.
- Established ambitious sales targets, managed deployment strategies, and developed go-to-market plans to capitalize on every revenue opportunity.
Director Project Management
Staples, Inc
United States
10.2015 - 01.2017
- Created project services and support team, improving margin retention on $550 million in furniture sales
- Implemented operational excellence during implementation phases, contributing to double-digit growth
- Negotiated with suppliers and contractors, adding 4% to the EBIT line in project management.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects to have a universal playbook for all to follow.
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project services division goals and objectives.
- Monitored divisional performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
Director of Furniture
Staples Inc.
Atlanta, GA
08.2007 - 10.2015
- Managed all aspects of sales, client engagement, and region profitability, leading to Atlanta remaining the #1 market
- Played a key role in the acquisition of Corporate Express by Staples
- Achieved the company's most successful sales division, with growth from $6.5 million to $57 million in 8 years.
- Assisted with sales and marketing strategies to foster achievement of revenue goals.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
- Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to allow them to play to their strengths more often.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
President
Innovative Office Solutions
Birmingham, Alabama
01.2005 - 08.2007
- P&L Responsibilities for Furniture division only
- Growth enabled family ownership to sell business for top dollar in 2007
- Grew sales 34% year over year
- Balanced the base of business to secure day to day influx of business from several vertical markets as well as supporting the large project swings
- Hired all sales and support positions
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies in collaboration with executive partners to establish and achieve long-term business objectives, providing company with strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
Education
BA - History
Cedar Crest College
International Studies
Lehigh University via LVAIC
Skills
- Strong Contract Furniture Industry experience with a proven track record of leadership, people development, and market growth
- Broad network of client and influencer relationships
- Over twenty years of advanced coaching, selling, negotiation, and talent management experience
- Reputation as a fair and inspiring leader
- Coached, mentored and developed the top people and as a result the top offices, and regions for both distribution and manufacturing companies across my career
- Achieved double-digit growth year over year for over 20 years Achieving both top line and EBITDA Goals
- Strategic planning and execution
- Process improvements
- Outstanding management skills
- Performance Analysis
- Business Development
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Cultural Awareness
- Critical Thinking
- Business planning
- Key Performance Indicators
- Contract Management
- Coaching and mentoring
Talent Profile
- Gallup: Achiever/Maximizer/Arranger/Individualization/Woo
- Myers Briggs: ENTJ Commander
- TMBC: Provider/Teacher
Additional Information
Experience with
- Microsoft Office Suite
- CRM Software: Salesforce, NetSuite, Dynamics 365
- Project Management Tools: NetSuite, Trello, Plan Grid, Project Space, Monday Morning
Certification
- Leadership and Sales Management Training certifications by Gallup TMBC and Huthwaite
- Budgeting, Funnel Management and Forecasting, Project Management
- Solution Selling and Strategic Partnerships
Timeline
Executive Vice President
Office Images Inc
03.2023 - 01.2024
Sr Director
VWR Avantor Inc
07.2022 - 03.2023
Director
The Senator Group
01.2019 - 07.2022
Regional Sales Director
Staples, Inc
01.2017 - 01.2019
Director Project Management
Staples, Inc
10.2015 - 01.2017
Director of Furniture
Staples Inc.
08.2007 - 10.2015
President
Innovative Office Solutions
01.2005 - 08.2007
BA - History
Cedar Crest College
International Studies
Lehigh University via LVAIC
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