Chris Ray
Bluffton,SC
Summary
Accomplished and results-driven manager with almost 3 years of experience in new home construction sales with D.R. Horton and over 28 years experience in sales and marketing management. Expertise in driving revenue growth through strategic sales initiatives, marketing campaigns and customer relationships management. Adept at developing high performance sales teams, analyzing market trends and implementing innovative marketing strategies to expand market share and build brand awareness. Proven ability to work cross functionally with operations, finance and design teams to enhance customer satisfaction and streamline project delivery, strong leadership, communication and negotiating skills, with a focus on exceeding sales targets while maintaining exceptional quality and service standards.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
New Home Sales Consultant
D.R. Horton
Bluffton SC/Savannah GA Divison
03 2022 - Current
- Worked closely with internal team members such as mortgage officers, title agents, construction project managers for seamless transaction coordination.
- Conducted regular follow-ups with prospective buyers, maintaining interest levels and fostering long-term relationships.
- Managed client expectations throughout the home buying process, ensuring smooth transactions and positive experiences.
- Developed strong relationships with potential buyers through excellent communication and customer service skills.
- Utilized CRM software to track buyer information and preferences, tailoring communication efforts for maximum effectiveness.
- Handled objections from potential buyers effectively addressing concerns related to pricing location or design features enhancing chances of a successful sale.
- In April 2024, recieved the honor of going to the Horton Ranch in west Texas for one of the top sales producers in our Regional market.
Finance Manager
McDaniels Auto Group/ Subaru
Columbia, SC
03.2016 - 12.2021
- Exceed dealership sales goals consistently
- Welcome customer to store and transition from sales to finance.
- Obtain copies of applicants' credit histories and review paperwork to determine feasibility of granting loans.
- Explain very technical financial information to applicants in easy to understand language.
- Strong lender relationships.
- Proactively identified solutions for customers experiencing credit issues.
- Menu presentation for maximum product sales presentation.
- Maintain over $1,100 PVR.
General Sales Manager
Capitol Hyundai Sonic Automotive
Columbia, SC
10.2015 - 03.2016
- Creating annual dealership sales forecasts by estimating total vehicle sales, gross and operating profits as well as expenses for finance, new and used sales departments.
- Meeting with sales managers to plan and implement objectives for achieving sales and gross profits.
- Hiring and monitoring performance of department managers, holding weekly sales meetings and conducting sales training.
- Train, coach and mentor staff and conduct quarterly reviews.
- Overseeing standards for displaying and merchandising both new and used vehicles as well as reviewing and initialing all promotions before they are finalized.
- Coordinating appropriate supply of new and used vehicles and ordering/acquiring vehicle inventory accordingly.
- Meeting weekly with General Manager to review forecasts and profits for each department.
- Attending to customer complaints, ensuring that high level of customer satisfaction is obtained.
- Auditing all appraisals of trade-in vehicles.
- Improved CSI scoring from last in district to first in 3 months.
Sales Manager
Jim Hudson Automotive/ Cadillac.Buick.GMC
Columbia, SC
06.2015 - 10.2015
- Part of team that sets annual dealership sales forecasts by estimating total vehicle sales, gross and operating profits as well as expenses for finance, new and used sales departments.
- Trained, coached and mentored staff to ensure smooth adoption of new programs.
- Overseeing standards for displaying and merchandising both new and used vehicles as well as reviewing and initialing most promotions before they are finalized.
- Attending to customer complaints, ensuring that high level of customer satisfaction is obtained.
- Appraisals of most trade-in vehicles.
- Front and back average gross, both new and used; 4500 per unit.
- Took internet closing percentages from 5 percent to 12 percent average every month.
- Spot called customers to make sure that their visit to dealership or even their phone call in was pleasant and they accomplished their goal.
- CSI standards are being accomplished and our processes in place are being adhered.
- Establishing weekly meetings with internet sales staff to determine ways to do things better. Working together as team so we can accomplish greater goals.
General Sales Manager
McDaniels Automotive Group / McDaniels Acura
Columbia, SC
10.2007 - 04.2015
- Creating annual dealership sales forecasts by estimating total vehicle sales, gross and operating profits as well as expenses for finance, new and used sales departments.
- Meeting with vehicle sales managers to plan and implement objectives for achieving sales and gross profits.
- Hiring and monitoring performance of department managers, holding weekly sales meetings and conducting sales training.
- Trained, coached and mentored staff to ensure smooth adoption of new program.
- Overseeing standards for displaying and merchandising both new and used vehicles as well as reviewing and initialing all promotions before are finalized.
- Coordinating appropriate supply of new and used vehicles and ordering/acquiring vehicle inventory accordingly.
- Meeting weekly with dealer principal to review forecasts and profits for each department.
- Working directly with dealer principal and marketing director on making recommendations on both short and long-range advertising plans, sales promotions and lease promotions.
- Attending to customer complaints, ensuring that high level of customer satisfaction is obtained.
- Auditing all appraisals of trade-in vehicles.
- Attends NADA and manufacturing meetings.
- Front and back average gross, both new and used; 3400 per unit.
President
Allmighty Medical Supply
Spartanburg, SC
10.2005 - 10.2007
- Start up company with focus on supplying durable medical supplies to hospitals, nursing homes and patients.
- Supervised all accounting
- Directly supervised employees in their area of responsibility.
- Interviewed candidates; hiring, promotion; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving issues.
Vice President
Emily Ray Jewelry
Spartanburg, SC
10.1995 - 08.2005
- Start up company, focused on designing and producing ladies bridge jewelry.
- Sold to gift stores, apparel stores and jewelry stores.
- Established business plan and financing .
- Built company to 10 million in sales with 80% gross profit.
- Sold to over 1,200 retailers in south east and south west
- Managed over 50 employees
Director of Sales and Marketing
Bryan Foods / Division of Sara Lee Corporation
West Point, MS
06.1985 - 10.1995
- Sold food service products to distributors and national chains across country.
- Managed 5 regional managers and one national account manager.
- Total dollar volume responsibility of 150 million.
- Grew business by double digits every year.
- Trained staff during demonstrations, meetings, conferences and workshops.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL1984
Skills
- Georgia Real Estate License
- Effective leader with integrity and work ethic
- Proficient at structuring deals to maximize profitability
- Decisive decision maker
- Consistently exceeds goal
- Empowers and motivates high-performing sales teams
- Proficiency with CRM systems
- Customer service-oriented
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Coaching and training
- Process implementation
Timeline
Finance Manager
McDaniels Auto Group/ Subaru
03.2016 - 12.2021
General Sales Manager
Capitol Hyundai Sonic Automotive
10.2015 - 03.2016
Sales Manager
Jim Hudson Automotive/ Cadillac.Buick.GMC
06.2015 - 10.2015
General Sales Manager
McDaniels Automotive Group / McDaniels Acura
10.2007 - 04.2015
President
Allmighty Medical Supply
10.2005 - 10.2007
Vice President
Emily Ray Jewelry
10.1995 - 08.2005
Director of Sales and Marketing
Bryan Foods / Division of Sara Lee Corporation
06.1985 - 10.1995
New Home Sales Consultant
D.R. Horton
03 2022 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Jacksonville State University