Whitney Roberts
Palm Beach Gardens,FL
Summary
Dynamic, driven and polished Business Development Manager and Interior Designer with 25 years of solid and unparalleled experience in the Luxury Interior Design industry. Proven track record of maximizing sales and profitability by providing the highest level of customer service with extensive product knowledge. Adapts and excels in a fast paced, deadline driven luxury environment.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development Manager, Florida & Caribbean
MERIDA
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
05.2021 - Current
- Developed strategies to meet and exceed sales goals and objectives
- Developed expertise around brand, products, capabilities and services
- Focus on key account relationships understanding customers' needs and how company can be helpful
- Hold meetings with designers to work on their projects; share new product introductions, solve design challenges, and find ways to inspire designers
- Qualify projects and demonstrate how company's capabilities may be of best service
- Developed and continuously refine strategic account plans with objective of capturing new ways to enhance client experience while maximizing sales
- Build and maintain strong project pipeline in line with sales project
- Enhance relationships with key client decision makers and influencers in high end architecture and interior design community
- Consistently provide accurate market feedback to identify trends, assist with product development
Territory Sales Manager, Florida & Caribbean
THE RUG COMPANY
Miami, FL
11.2016 - 05.2021
- Conduct Presentations to new and existing clients
- Business Development for industry's key region of Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean
- Serves as Brand Ambassador
- Continuously exceed sales goals
- Built, developed and maintain excellent clientele relationships
- Keep dedicated client list up to date with all new product and services
- Built company's Florida and Caribbean Territory into company's top performers with extensive and broad base of repeat clients
- Provide meticulous follow through on all projects from initial quoting through installation
- Prepare and deliver sales proposals and presentations
- Negotiate and close sales with key decision makers
- Keep active and up to date reports of customer activity and business pipeline via ongoing report updates
- Maintain accurate and up to date customer records using company's business systems (CRM)
- Stay up to date with product and TRC knowledge along with that of competition
- Expertly carry out all local initiatives designed to drive sales, ensuring that are consistent with brand
- Built, developed and maintained relationships that have resulted in repeat sales and future business
- Manage current clientele and constantly generate new leads which expand TRC business with outreach to new prospects
- Responsible for managing own performance against sales target
- Consistently exceed monthly and annual sales targets
- Responsible for identifying and implementing relevant databases and other sources of prospect data
- Responsible for developing and deploying appropriate and effective prospect approach strategies
- Network with professional trade through involvement in associations, meetings, events and social media
- Control expenses to deliver best return on investment and maximize profit
- Train and supervise outside sales team
- Provide prompt, high quality, friendly customer service to future and present customers in line with brand and reputation
- Present products and services to local dealers, interior designers, architects, purchasing agents, yacht industry, developers and general contractors
- Meet with clients to address concerns, provide answers to inquiries and technical training and present collections
- Provide meticulous and extensive luxury customer service at all times
- Work closely with Art Department and Designers on all custom and Bespoke projects
- Host private events to drive sales and build strong client relationships
Territory Sales Manager, Florida & LATAM
NIBA Collections
Miami, FL
01.2016 - 10.2016
- Developed and maintained thorough product, services and product knowledge to drive sales
- Identified leads, managed prospects and acquired new business
- Determined customer needs and proposed appropriate products and services
- Set and exceeded new business sales goals
- Completed scheduled and cold call prospecting activities to establish first and follow up appointments with customer decision makers
- Prepared and delivered sales proposals/presentations and follow up with key customer decision makers
- Utilized company's Contact Relationship Management (CRM) on daily basis, scheduling and documenting activities, developing customer profiles
- Obtained complete Order Documentation from Clients
- Prepared reports and other paperwork in timely manner and in accordance with Company policy
- Maintained awareness of market behavior and competitive trends and responded accordingly
- Regularly met with Company President and Sales Manager to review weekly sales activities, progress on goals, and status of prospective customers
- Presented products and services to interior designers and architects
Partner / Interior Designer
BOXWOOD HOME & INTERIORS
New Canaan, CT / Palm Beach, FL
01.2001 - 10.2016
- Met with clients both in design studio and on site
- Determined design objectives for client's individual space and needs taking into account architecture, environment and client's lifestyle
- Independently create original designs for residential and commercial interiors
- Led and managed multiple high end design projects of various scope (up to $4 million budgets)
- Projects located in best areas of United States including Fairfield County, CT; Westchester County, NY; Manhattan; Nantucket; Martha's Vineyard, Kiawah Island, SC; Colorado; Vero Beach and Palm Beach, FL
- Oversaw all phases of project management from presentation to orders to delivery and installation
- Established strong relationships within design and media communities
- Upheld highest customer service standards at all times
- Illustrated client's project through floor plans, sketches and visual presentations
- Responsible for creative design and management of all design projects
- Remained current at all times with design industry trends
- Ensured fiscal goals were achieved and exceeded through design projects and Home Design retail stores
- Created and managed Marketing, Branding, Analytics, Financials etc for interior design and retail divisions
- Analyzed and interpreted retail store trends to facilitate planning
- Managed and motivated store teams to increase sales and insure efficiency
- Managed staff
- Managed store inventory
- Merchandised new product to create branded visual store floorsets
- Responded to customer and design clients complaints, requests and comments
- Used data to record sales figures and for data analysis and forward planning
- Served as Buyer and designer for retail stores
- Monitored assets through accurate inventory management procedures
- Ensured store standards are met and maintained, i.e., visuals, cleanliness, signage, safety, etc
- Ensured design projects and stores met and exceeds sales goals
- Provided leadership achieving or exceeding budgeted sales, payroll and controllable expense goals
- Effectively managed store operations, maintained inventory levels and visual merchandising standards
- Ensured all internal and external customers received highest standards of customer service. Developed and built relationships with customers and clients creating repeat business
Senior Interior Designer / Sales Manager
RALPH LAUREN
Palm Beach, FL
12.2013 - 01.2015
- Greeted customers in timely fashion while quickly determining their needs
- Activated and engaged customers
- Analyzed business needs
- Collaborated with Corporate Headquarters managers on account planning, activation and business development
- Created unique marketing plans based on business needs
- Promoted market growth and profitability by generating interest
- Conducted staff training to ensure brand is properly represented
- Helped identify opportunities within account universe
- Interacted with clients to promote brand
- Built loyal relationships (BOB) with customers increasing repeat business
- Increased sales by consistently up and cross selling
- Proactively created enhanced shopping experiences through heightened use of tools, technology and collaboration
- Determined customer needs based on personal features and other customer preference related factors
- Delivered results in role to contribute to store success
- Effectively communicated with customers, peers and management
- Demonstrated knowledge of store products and services to build sales and minimize returns
- Contributed to positive work environment
- Completed floor replenishment and shipment as needed to ensure customer satisfaction and availability
- Ensured service, merchandising, and operational standards are met through company-defined practices and procedures
- Followed procedures for all systems including counts, markdowns, re-tickets and inventory control
- Influenced customer buying decisions, by communicating information about quality, value and style of brand and products
- Maintained professional attitude with sincerity and enthusiasm reflecting brand's commitment to customer
- Maintained store high standards per Visual Presentation Assessment direction to enhance customer shopping experience
- Performed sales support functions related to POS procedures
- Differentiated store's brand and products from competitors with real connections with customers
- Exceeded customer service expectations
- Contributed to team success by exceeding team sales goals by 35% while building department
- Reported sales, marketing activities and trends daily
- Maintained confidentiality and remained open to ideas
- Analyzed departmental documents for appropriate distribution and filing
National Sales Representative
MARK INC. FINE CARPETS
Greenwich, CT
12.1996 - 12.1998
- Managed corporate showroom and headquarters
- Performed all day to day operations
- Managed and supported 15 national independent sales representatives providing in-depth product knowledge
- Produced and provided strategic sales materials to national sales associates
- Served as Sales Executive for national headquarters developing large base of Key Accounts
- Presented and sold high-end products to designers and architects
- Executed and designed special orders
- Supported President with administrative duties. Gathered and analyzed internal company data including: A/R, Development Pipeline, P&L/Budget, Production and Sales Reports. Communicated and reported accurate and detailed results
- Coordinated production, shipments, deliveries, and monitored inventory levels. Placed all production and special orders with mills in England and France
- Merchandised effectively corporate and national showrooms
- Devised and generated company marketing tools including brochures resulted in increased sales and product awareness
Account Executive Assistant
LILLY PULITZER
New York, NY
01.1997 - 05.1998
- Provided Buyers with line sheets, catalogs and promotional materials
- Traveled to trade shows to present seasonal lines
- Planned, organized and scheduled appointments with Buyers
- Wrote Purchase Orders and re-orders
- Logged sales calls
- Assisted vendors with Buys to best suit their Market
- Assisted in maintaining accounts with highest level of customer service
- Represented Brand with personal sense of style and polished appearance
Territory Sales Representative
OSBORNE & LITTLE
Stamford, CT
01.1994 - 12.1996
- Represented 13 high-end textile and furniture manufacturers in highest volume territory in US
- Lines represented included Osborne & Little, Nina Campbell, Designers Guild, Summer Hill, Zimmer + Rhode, Jim Thompson, Vaughan Lighting, Edward Ferrell Furniture, etc
- Presented and sold seasonal lines
- Performed account management
- Provided excellent customer service
- Traveled to key accounts
- Planned, organized and scheduled sales calls and activities
- Monitored account satisfaction
- Resolved quickly and efficiently any problems
- Solicited and generated new accounts through lead appointments, networking and cold calling
- Handled all customer requests
- Selected samples for designers to present to their clients
- Created sales reports and documents
- Wrote Purchase Orders
Sales Associate
RALPH LAUREN
New York, NY
09.1992 - 01.1994
- Performed Proactive sales
- Recommended merchandise to customers based on their needs and preferences
- Maintained knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges and security practices
- Responded to customer questions and requests in prompt and efficient manner
- Contacted other store locations to determine merchandise availability
- Completed all cleaning, stocking and organizing tasks in assigned sales area
- Built relationships with customers to increase likelihood of repeat business
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management and Marketing
PINE MANOR COLLEGE
Chestnut Hill, MA1992
Skills
- Luxury Sales Management
- Business Development & Strategy
- Territory & Account Management
- Team Management, Training & Leadership
- Relationship Building & Networking
- Analytical Skills
- Presentations & Training
- Marketing Strategy
- Revenue & Profit Maximization
- Luxury Customer Service
Timeline
Business Development Manager, Florida & Caribbean
MERIDA
05.2021 - Current
Territory Sales Manager, Florida & Caribbean
THE RUG COMPANY
11.2016 - 05.2021
Territory Sales Manager, Florida & LATAM
NIBA Collections
01.2016 - 10.2016
Senior Interior Designer / Sales Manager
RALPH LAUREN
12.2013 - 01.2015
Partner / Interior Designer
BOXWOOD HOME & INTERIORS
01.2001 - 10.2016
Account Executive Assistant
LILLY PULITZER
01.1997 - 05.1998
National Sales Representative
MARK INC. FINE CARPETS
12.1996 - 12.1998
Territory Sales Representative
OSBORNE & LITTLE
01.1994 - 12.1996
Sales Associate
RALPH LAUREN
09.1992 - 01.1994
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management and Marketing
PINE MANOR COLLEGE