Duke Smith
Lakewood,CA
Summary
Accomplished sales/marketing professional with demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic approaches to impact market growth, profitability, and company harmony. Strong relationship-building skills, with natural leadership acumen and an energy level that does not quit. Impactful and successful manager/mentor, talented in creating teamwork with focused vision and motivating personnel to achieve their true potential.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Business Development /Director of National Sales
FX USA
Wilmington, NC
02.2022 - 11.2023
- Responsibilities for this premier importer of PCP rifles and marketing arm of Element Optics included developing national retail partners, individual retailer sales management, managing influencers and developing performance matrix parameters.
- Raised sales during my employment by 300% through establishing marketing and distribution guidelines and driving business into regional retailers.
- Spearheaded creating OEM partnerships and developed Special Makeup Units for retailers and 2nd tier distributors.
- Utilized personal relationships to generate visibility of company products as well as the air rifle industry.
- Created numerous educational models to inform and create new/additional sales through customer interaction and follow-through.
- Directed, educated, and mentored a sales staff of 3 direct reports. Successful mentoring lead to multi-fold increases in measured productivity.
Regional Market Manager
Tim Bailey and Associates
Northridge, CA
10.2018 - 02.2022
- Provided representation for an extensive range of outdoor sportsperson's products to various sales and distribution channels, such as stand-alone retailers and multi-store chains.
- Products represented included firearms (handguns, rifles, shotguns, airguns), optics, camping gear, fishing tackle, domestic and imported soft goods, cutlery, eyewear.
- My efforts helped to increase territory revenue by 20% during my time employed here. Sales increase was greatly assisted by customer training and mentorship.
Western Regional Sales Manager
Hawke Sports OPtics
Fort Wayne, IN
05.2016 - 10.2018
- Western Regional Sales Management for imported line of sporting optics, including riflescopes, crossbow scopes, rangefinders, spotting scopes, binoculars, and accessories.
- Responsible for 13 western states and developing relationships with online retailers, individual shops, and small chain stores.
- Dramatically increased visibility of the brand through developing meaningful relationships with customers.
Territory Manager
Big Rock Sports
Moorehead, NC
03.2005 - 04.2016
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales in assigned territory. Utilized my passion for all things outdoors to build relationships with customers
- Generated sales to independent and small regional chain stores.
- Represented the largest distributor of outdoor goods in the United States
- Items represented covered all aspects of outdoor enthusiasts' goods.
- Developed a vast knowledge of firearms, optics, fishing tackle, camping, marine goods, outdoor clothing, and accessories.
- Established relationships with key customers and national vendors.
- Mentored 15 salesmen as the regional point-of-contact as designated by the regional manger.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Electrical Engineering/Criminal Justice
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, WASkills
- Superlative skills in creating meaningful relationships
- Proficient/Advanced proficient in Microsoft Office Including Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint
- Conversationally fluent in Spanish
- NRA certified in rifle and shotgun training
Affiliations
- NRA certified instructor in rifle and shotgun disciplines
- Boy Scouts of America assistant Scoutmaster for large troop (104 scouts)
Timeline
Director of Business Development /Director of National Sales
FX USA
02.2022 - 11.2023
Regional Market Manager
Tim Bailey and Associates
10.2018 - 02.2022
Western Regional Sales Manager
Hawke Sports OPtics
05.2016 - 10.2018
Territory Manager
Big Rock Sports
03.2005 - 04.2016
Some College (No Degree) - Electrical Engineering/Criminal Justice
California State University, Long Beach