Entry Level Sales Development Program Jobs in Chicago, IL

The Sales Development Program Manager is responsible for developing and leading the early career development efforts for the Pella Sales Subsidiaries.  The primary goal of early career development is to create a pipeline of early career sales talent to support the sales subsidiaries growth and staffing goals.  The manager will own and drive the program in its entirety, collaborating with talent acquisition team, sales and branch leader and guiding participant development and preparation for a career in sales.  The ideal candidate will live in the Chicago area.

The targeted pay range for this role is $110,000 - $150,000. The total compensation package for this position may also include applicable incentive compensation, such as an annual bonus. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, specific work geography, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.  As a member of the Pella Family of Brands team, you will be eligible for company sponsored benefits that include healthcare, dental, vision, paid time off, a generous 401(k) plan, tuition assistance, and much more. 

About Pella Corporation

As the #1 most-preferred national window and door brand by homeowners across the country, Pella Corporation leads the industry in innovation and design. Founded in 1925, today the Pella Family of Brands encompasses a robust product offering sold and installed through various channels. We are a growing, privately owned company with 20 manufacturing locations and over 10,000 team members in the U.S. and Canada. Pella is consistently recognized as a great place to work by Newsweek, Forbes and Glassdoor, having most recently been named to America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek in 2024, as well as Forbes' 2024 Best Employers for Women and Best-In-State Employer in Iowa. We have also received numerous accolades for innovation and design, including Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2024 and Most Innovative Manufacturers for 2022 and 2023.

At Pella, our team cares deeply, learns continuously and achieves results that go beyond. We encourage creative thinking that seeks out and includes diverse perspectives. And we empower you to do the work you're most proud of - that's why we offer individualized talent development plans, cross-functional experiences and opportunities for career advancement through personal and professional development.

With talent just like you, we are imagining, building and fighting for a brighter future for generations to come. Ready to find a career that sparks your passion?

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Five plus years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Direct, in-home sales and sales leadership experience is preferred.

Language and Communication Skills

Ability to read and analyze documents related to contracts and work documents. Ability to author reports and business correspondence. Ability to present information and respond to questions from customers, managers, and the general public. 

Professional Skills

Must present a clean and neat physical appearance and strictly abide by company dress code serving as a role model for other employees, customers, and visitors.

Reasoning Abilities

Ability to solve practical and arithmetic problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive an automobile, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment varies between low to moderate in administrative offices and to moderate on constructions sites.

Travel

This role is expected to travel 25% of the time.

Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• This position will lead team members hired as targeted early career and guide them in their development, placement, and progression.

• Develop and deliver training curriculum (virtual, in-person, online) for program participants.

• Track and report on program metrics, KPIs will include driving and tracking, talent potential, placement, retention, and progression.

• Partner with key stake holders and business partners to ensure the early career development efforts are incorporating and aligning on the critical skills and behaviors.

• Lead group of 6 to 10 team members through program completion, roughly 12 weeks per cohort session.

• Collaborate with business leaders on staff planning and annual planning.

• Collaborate with branch leadership and talent acquisition on a regular basis to understand talent pipeline needs

• Manage early career development program operations and logistics, ensuring efficient program delivery.

• Partner with talent acquisition to develop on campus recruiting strategy for the program.

• Participate in on campus recruiting events as needed to support business needs (career fairs, sales competitions, and conventions)

• Interact with Segment leaders to ensure that the early career development efforts are evolving with the strategic needs of the segment(s).

• Develop and administer participant assessments and readiness evaluations. 

• Partner with internal customers to identify, define, and develop additional revenue generating services.

• Accountable for delivering trained pipeline of early career sales talents and for influencing business leaders for program adoption. 

Skills/Knowledge 

• Skilled at communicating with team members and business leaders at all levels of the organization. 

• Ability to learn the selling process and customer profiles for both residential and trade sales segments.

• Strong emotional intelligence with ability to modify communication and coaching to meet individual motivators. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and smart devices, and ability to learn internal software programs and applications.