Inside Sales Rep & Account Manager

Reports to Sales Director

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: On Site - 6658 East Paris Ave, Caledonia MI 49316

Schedule: Monday through Friday (Full-Time)

Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM EST

COMPANY INFORMATION – WHO WE ARE

Howies Hockey is a locally owned, fast-growing business headquartered in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area since 2002, with a secondary distribution facility in Burlington, Ontario (just outside Toronto). We specialize in high-quality hockey tape, accessories, apparel, and performance products. Today, Howies works with every team in the NHL and AHL, along with nearly every junior and collegiate program across North America.

In 2015, we launched our sister company, Howies Athletics, expanding beyond hockey into all sports. Through this growth, we now supply sports medicine and performance products to MLB, NFL, MLS, and NBA teams, top Division I football programs (including the University of Michigan, Alabama, and Michigan State), and thousands of high schools nationwide. If an athlete needs tape or sports medicine products, our goal is to be their first call—and to earn lifelong loyalty to the Howies brand.

Across both brands, we pride ourselves on delivering world‑class products to pro shops, retailers, teams at every level, and international distributors. We are also rapidly growing our direct‑to‑consumer business through our website and Amazon. Our team‑oriented culture, industry‑leading customer service, and fast, accurate order fulfillment set Howies apart.

POSITION INFORMATION

The “One Thing”: Establish world‑class rapport with new prospects and existing customer base to drive overall business growth and create lifelong supporters of the Howies brand.

Year after year, Howies continues to grow because of the quality of employees we bring on board. With our growing presence in the hockey and sports medicine market in North America and beyond, we are seeking a passionate, hard‑working, and sports‑minded individual to support new business opportunities and provide a level of care to our existing customers that is unmatched anywhere else. If you’re looking to work in sports with an internationally recognized brand in a fast‑paced, culture‑driven environment, this role offers the opportunity to grow and make a meaningful impact.

WHOLESALE ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

• Connect with inquiring customers by identifying achievable business opportunities, creating unique sales strategies, and treating customers like family
• Engage prospects quickly with immediate phone calls and email follow‑ups to ensure that every customer feels valued and that they are our number 1 priority
• Maintain a firm pulse on monthly sales goals and work closely with the sales director and leadership to deliver on predetermined expectations
• Create personal and meaningful connections with all contacts to earn their trust and use this relationship to increase sales year over year
• Understand industry trends, stay up to date on new and revamped Howies products, and communicate with the team to develop tactics that lead to larger books of business
• When appropriate, use knowledge of our entire catalog to encourage upsell on products never purchased before and incentivize orders by taking advantage of “freebies”
• Thoroughly maintain customer cards in our CRM software by logging detailed interactions, updating billing / shipping addresses, discussing and implementing payment terms, and maintaining a well‑documented pricing history

GENERAL – As a small business, many other tasks will be required

• Represent Howies Hockey / Athletic Tape at tournaments and tradeshows as needed
• Order fulfillment – know how to process and pack all orders that come into Howies
• Work closely with other departments to improve overall company performance
• Handle misc. administrative, IT, data entry, or clerical duties as needed
• Communication and positive relationships with the entire team – top to bottom
• Engage both the operations and sales sides of the business daily
• Anything else required from Howies to be a best‑in‑class business

POSITION REQUIREMENTS & CORE COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business administration, communications, sports management, or related field of study—not required but preferred
• Proven skill and experience with Excel, ERP/CRM software, and computer programs
• Strong knowledge of sports (emphasis on hockey), all Howies products, and general geography for international sales opportunities
• Outgoing personality and social skills to interact with customers and approach each point of contact with a servant’s heart mentality
• Ability to multitask in a fast‑paced environment and prioritize objectives
• Extreme aptitude for learning, cultivating, and adopting the Howies sales strategies
• Communication with the entire team, top to bottom, and applying critical thinking skills

OUR COMPANY MANTRA

At Howies, we truly believe in "W ork Hard, Play Hard". When we’re not taking care of customers, we’re enjoying time together as a team. That might mean heading to the driving range on a sunny afternoon, playing pickup basketball, throwing a baseball around, throwing a cornhole tournament, or grilling out as a company.

In the winter, you’ll find us watching Red Wings games in the break room—or heading downtown to catch the Griffins game at the Van. We work hard, support one another, and strive to create an office environment people are excited to show up to every day.

If you’re looking for a place where performance, teamwork, and fun all matter, Howies is the place to be.