Christopher Whitfield
Eagan,MN
Summary
Dynamic people leader and account manager with over 18 years of proven success across diverse sectors, including retail supply chain, automotive finance, legal, government, and sports industries. Expertise in strategic planning, OKR and KPI development, and results-driven execution fosters a culture of high performance.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager II - Supplier Network Expansion
SPS Commerce Inc
Minneapolis, Minnesota
05.2021 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams to optimize customer onboarding and enhance productivity.
- Developed strategic initiatives that aligned with organizational goals, driving improvements in efficiency.
- Mentored and coached Consultants, holding regular 1:1 meetings, and portfolio reviews.
- Oversaw project execution, ensuring alignment with company goals and timely delivery of results.
- Analyzed performance data to identify trends, implementing corrective actions for continuous improvement.
- Developed strategic initiatives to improve customer satisfaction and retention rates.
- Handle customer escalations by leading with empathy, and active listening to work towards a solution.
Mid Market Account Executive
SPS Commerce Inc
Minneapolis, Minnesota
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Worked with suppliers to connect them to their trading partners, and automate the order to cash process.
- Increased customer onboarding over 20% year over year.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients to enhance customer satisfaction and retention.
- Developed tailored sales strategies to meet diverse client needs and market demands.
- Partner with implementation team and project managers to ensure clear communication between all parties.
- Negotiated contracts successfully, securing President's Club honors.
- Implemented CRM tools to streamline account management and improve tracking of client interactions.
Market Area Manager
Credit Acceptance Corporation
Southfield, MI
12.2017 - 05.2019
- Grew market by 60% year over year with contract count.
- Increased active client base by 100% in the first year.
- Successfully prospect and head hunt keeping a robust pipeline, regularly scheduling out discovery meetings, program presentations, demonstrations, and contract negotiations.
- Analyzed market trends to identify opportunities for growth and competitive advantage.
- Managed relationships with key stakeholders to foster collaboration and drive business results.
- Oversaw performance metrics, ensuring adherence to targets and continuous improvement efforts.
- Use our CRM to run analytics reports, market trends, build my pipeline, and forecast monthly sales.
Small Law Account Executive
Thomson Reuters
Eagan, MN
01.2016 - 11.2017
- Achieved over 105% of my quota for the entire year, selling over $150,000 worth of SaaS new business.
- Won Century Club Award, and Trusted Business Partner Award
- Developed and maintained strong client relationships to drive customer satisfaction and retention over 90%.
- Led product demonstrations and training with all the different members of law firms, for both active clients, and prospects.
- Was a product expert in Westlaw, Practical Law, Practice Point, Drafting Assistant, Firm Central, Case Notebook, and PeopleMap.
- Used Salesforce CRM to manage pipeline, review analytics, and forecast monthly sales.
- Mentored junior team members in best practices for account management and client engagement.
State and Local Government Account Manager
Thomson Reuters
Eagan, Minnesota
08.2014 - 01.2016
- Sold over $900,000 in legal texts and treatises for the year 2015, attaining 112% of my annual quota.
- Won the Century Club Award
- Closed a sale with the Arizona House of Representatives worth $90,000, and a sale for the Clark County Law Library worth $110,000.
- Performed consultations, and training with state and local government agencies in Arizona, Florida, and Clark County Nevada.
- Utilized Salesforce CRM to manage pipeline and run analytics reports.
- Assisted in preparing thorough responses to RFPs/RFQs from federal agencies, contributing significantly towards winning several lucrative contracts.
- Did mentoring, and trained new sales reps by shadowing, and call coaching.
Director of Operations
High Performance Academy
Eagan, Minnesota
01.2013 - 09.2014
- Successfully negotiated complex contracts with organizations like Nike, Minnesota Timberwolves, MN Stars national tournament, Minnesota Senior Games, Just Between Friends consignment.
- Generated over $300,000 in tournament and league revenue.
- Negotiated with program Directors, board of athletics, end users, coaches, and Principals. Built out the schedule, to fill as many courts throughout the day as possible, and bring in the most revenue.
- Oversaw day to day operations, headed our marketing efforts, managed employees, building maintenance, inventory, partnered with contractors to ensure electrical systems were operational for tournaments.
Lead Consultant
Sprint
Roseville, MN
12.2007 - 05.2013
- Reached President's Club for quota attainment in new lines, upgrades, and accessories attaining 150% for the year, being in the top 10%.
- Hit over 100% of my yearly number in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and ytd in 2013 before leaving.
- Managed reps on the floor, and did shadowing to write reviews, and if there was areas of opportunity or training needed.
- Consulted and built a pipeline of both consumer and B2B clientele.
Education
Master Of Business Administration (MBA) - Organizational Leadership
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN12-2020
Bachelor Of Arts (BA) - Sports Management And Marketing
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN05-2011
Skills
- Leadership
- Team mentoring and coaching
- KPI development
- Complex problem-solving
- Escalation management
- Client retention strategies
- Contract negotiation
- Strategic planning
- Pipeline management
- Cross-functional collaboration
Affiliations
Rotary International
Timeline
Manager II - Supplier Network Expansion
SPS Commerce Inc
05.2021 - Current
Mid Market Account Executive
SPS Commerce Inc
08.2019 - 05.2021
Market Area Manager
Credit Acceptance Corporation
12.2017 - 05.2019
Small Law Account Executive
Thomson Reuters
01.2016 - 11.2017
State and Local Government Account Manager
Thomson Reuters
08.2014 - 01.2016
Director of Operations
High Performance Academy
01.2013 - 09.2014
Lead Consultant
Sprint
12.2007 - 05.2013
Master Of Business Administration (MBA) - Organizational Leadership
Capella University
Bachelor Of Arts (BA) - Sports Management And Marketing
Minnesota State University, Mankato