Ed Gleason
Polymershapes
MINNEAPOLIS,MN
20
years of professional experience
Professional sales expert prepared for challenges of dynamic sales environment. Brings valuable experience in client acquisition and retention, consistently achieving impactful sales outcomes. Known for fostering collaborative team efforts and demonstrating adaptability to evolving plastics and graphic arts market demands, while excelling in persuasive communication and strategic planning.
Work History
Outside Sales Representative
7 Years 1 Month- Established inventory profile and go to market strategy for the Wide Format and P.O.P. space for Polymershapes in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Western Wisconsin. This unique approach relied heavily on an emphasis on sustainable and fully recyclable alternatives for those customers that required sustainable alternatives for print applications.
- Partnered with the major manufacturer representatives for the flexible and rigid substrates Polymershapes represents for these markets to grow customer footprint and expand products within these strategic accounts.
- Upon the introduction of Covid 19, opportunities have been captured to create PPE and Clear Covid Barrier solutions for current customers, businesses known and unknown to Polymershapes, schools and colleges, and courtrooms that needed a way to commence trials and hearings. These collaborative efforts included design and installation services and consultation on how to best to keep employees and clients safe during this unprecedented pandemic.
- Extensive cold-calling and prospecting have culminated in sales and business relationships previously unknown by Polymershapes Minneapolis.
- Grew sales 33% year over year and increased margin in a very competitive space 8% year over year.
Program Manager - Tape
1 Year- Developed dynamic strategy to focus on mounting tapes and adhesive for all sales presentations for flexographic printing opportunities.
- Worked directly with North American vendor partners to orchestrate programs and support for outside field sales and inside sales personnel.
- Provided a clear and concise value-add approach to customer solutions for field sales team through product knowledge and training. Empowerment of sales team was praised by upper management.
Wide Format Specialist
3 Years- Partnered with over 45 field sales reps in 5 states to increase product knowledge and sales for rigid and flexible wide format substrates. Worked extensively with customer service to provide framework to increase product knowledge and application awareness for sales reps and customers.
- 2016 sales increased by 31% over 2015 by aligning warehouse inventory, introducing key vendors to sales teams and end-users, and by consistently providing effective technical feedback for team members.
- Increased 2017 sales by 43% over 2016, by continuing to add value to customers through technical and best practice approach. Adaptable approach to refining product portfolio to meet ever-changing customer needs.
Account Manager
1 Year- Increased sales and presence in specialized polymer solutions for the graphic arts market.
- Implemented consultative selling approach utilizing the Customer Centric Selling methodology.
- Utilized SalesForce.com to track and update objective sales opportunities and project-based initiatives.
- Continually grew sales funnel by prospecting and cold calling new opportunities.
Account Executive
4 Years- Elevated sales and presence in graphic arts by $5M focusing on capital equipment, flexographic, wide format and pressroom consumables. Expanded product portfolio to include customer solutions in packaging items, corrugated, facility solutions and fine paper.
Outside Sales Representative
3 Years- Achieved #1 sales ranking and best overall gross profit for ink and flexographic consumables.
- Outside Sales Representative (Upper Midwest Territory).
- Number one ranked salesman in net sales and gross profit in Minneapolis branch (1997 – 2000).
- Number 7 nationally in net sales and gross profit (22 branch locations).
- Silver Eagle Award Winner $400,000.00 gross profit (1992).
- Gold Eagle Award Winner $750,000.00 gross profit (1998).
- Platinum Eagle Award Winner $1,000,000.00 gross profit (2000).
- Achieved 2 million, 3 million, 4 million, 6 million, 7 million, and 9 million sales plateaus.
- Two-time recipient of the Salesman of The Year Award given to the outstanding sales professional in the Upper Midwest Sales Territory by Varn Chemical Corporation.
- Recipient of Outstanding Service and Support Award by Eastman Kodak Company (1988).
- Initially worked in the warehouse and was promoted to sales in 1986.
- Responsible for maintaining and growing business in high profile national accounts.
- Provided sales, technical support, customer service and account management to 150 graphic arts, printing, and publishing clients.
- Required product knowledge of over 3,000 items (chemicals, printing plates, pressroom items, pressroom blankets, and sundry items), technical knowledge (scanner, image-setters) of the latest trends in the printing industry.
- Gained new business with an emphasis on Customer Centric and solution-based selling approach.
- Vast experience in administrating consignment inventories.
- Represented manufacturers such as Eastman Kodak, 3M, DuPont, Agfa, and Advantage Computer.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History
Skills
Strategic partnership development
Effective territory coordination
Lead generation
Value selling
Fostering ongoing sales expansion
Building genuine business relationships
Clear communication
Understanding of graphic arts products
Client account management
Customer Service-oriented
Relationship building
Timeline
Outside Sales Representative
Polymershapes
07.2019 - CurrentRead More
Program Manager - Tape
Mark Andy, INC.
01.2018 - 01.2019Read More
Wide Format Specialist
Veritiv
01.2015 - 01.2018Read More
Account Manager
PolyOne
01.2014 - 01.2015Read More
Account Executive
xpedx, an IP Company
01.2010 - 01.2014Read More
Outside Sales Representative
Pitman Company
01.2007 - 01.2010Read More
University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts from History
Read More