US Specialty Sales Manager

Our Core Values

ELEVATE EVERYTHING - We each bring a specific set of skills to the table, offering up our expertise and resources to enhance the work of others. We challenge each other to be the best in order to achieve enduring value in the eyes of our customers.

BETTER IS BETTER - There is no finish line; we strive for continuous improvement in everything we do. We obsess over every detail to find ways to improve both our products and our process.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY ACCOUNTABLE - We're open and honest in how we speak and listen. We celebrate each other's successes, and collectively rally to solve every challenge. We own it!

COURAGEOUS INNOVATION - There are elegant ideas awaiting discovery in everything we do. We push everyone around us to pursue those ideas openly so we can continue to dominate the category.

COMMUNITY DRIVEN - As a family business, we understand the importance of enriching the communities we call home. As a company, and as individuals, we work to make our expertise available to do the most good for those around us.

JOB SUMMARY

Benchmade is seeking a U.S. Sales Manager to lead revenue growth and execution across a complex, multi-channel wholesale business, while building and managing the people, agency, and retail partnerships required to scale sustainably. This role is responsible for translating company strategy into disciplined field execution, owning merchandising standards at retail, and forecasting demand in partnership with cross-functional teams. The Sales Manager serves as a senior field leader and commercial owner for their territory, partnering with National Accounts where appropriate to ensure consistent brand presentation and cross-market support.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Own overall performance of the U.S. Specialty Market, including revenue delivery, channel health, and retail execution.
• Collaborate with the Director of Specialty Sales to develop and execute sales strategies that grow market share, drive sell-through, and create mutual profitability across accounts.
• Help lead agency and talent recruitment, including identifying, evaluating, onboarding, and managing independent rep agencies and field sales talent aligned to Benchmade's regional strategy, in partnership with the Sales Enablement Manager.
• Serve as the primary forecasting owner for the territory, partnering closely with the Demand Planning and Supply Chain teams to align forecasts, promotions, and inventory requirements.
• Forecast and deliver against annual and quarterly revenue targets using field input and account-level insights.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Pro and Elite accounts, including regular business reviews and coordinated field team support.
• Expand Elite dealer distribution and identify new, incremental doors that strengthen the channel without eroding existing partners.
• Work with reps and Field Support Techs to progress dealers from Foundation to Pro to Elite, reinforcing Benchmade's premium positioning.
• Coordinate with Inside Sales to ensure full retail coverage and seamless account support.
• Own and enforce Benchmade merchandising standards across the territory, ensuring consistent, premium brand presentation across all retail environments.
• Partner with Marketing and Field Support Techs to ensure displays, fixturing, planograms, and in-store execution meet Benchmade standards and are maintained over time.
• Collaborate with the National Accounts team to support cross-market and multi-location accounts, ensuring alignment on service levels, merchandising, training, and execution.
• Provide coordinated field support for national or multi-location accounts as requested, without disrupting regional priorities or specialty channel integrity.
• Act as a point of alignment between regional field teams and National Accounts to ensure a seamless dealer experience.
• Develop, maintain, and evolve the Field Team Playbook, establishing clear standards for merchandising, training, retail events, and execution.
• Collaborate with Territory Managers and agencies to design and execute retail programs that perform, while sharing best practices across regions.
• Prepare, manage, and optimize territory budgets, including travel, Co-Op, fixtures, and other field investments.
• Partner with the Director of Specialty Sales to design, track, and manage incentive programs tied to quarterly sales and activation objectives.
• Communicate market insights, competitive dynamics, and sell-through trends through CRM and direct reporting; ensure full CRM adoption and data integrity.
• Act as a senior people leader by hiring, onboarding, coaching, and assessing the performance of field teams, agencies, and partners.
• Build a culture of accountability, transparency, and excellence through consistent presence in the field.
• Represent Benchmade at sales meetings, trade shows, and key territory events.
• Travel extensively throughout the territory to drive execution and influence outcomes at retail.
• Operate effectively across multiple channels, including Hunt, Outdoor, Tactical, Law Enforcement, and Military, recognizing Benchmade's diverse customer base.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive sales leadership experience, including regional or national retail exposure.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, agencies, or indirect sales organizations.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in forecasting and demand planning collaboration.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into disciplined field execution.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working Environment: Remote position
• Physical Demands: Able to lift 100 pounds.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 50% travel time either in the assigned territory or at requested trade shows/meetings.