Regional Business Development Manager

A subsidiary of Italy-based Amplifon S.p.A, the worldwide leader in hearing aid distribution, Amplifon USA is parent company to three of North America's most prominent and respected providers of hearing instruments and services: Miracle-Ear, Amplifon Hearing Aid Centers and Sonus.  In 1999 Amplifon USA was established to manage and grow Miracle-Ear®, one of the oldest and most recognized brands in the hearing aid industry. Founded in 1948, Miracle-Ear currently dispenses hearing aids and services mostly in locations within Sears stores. In October 2002, North America's largest group of hearing aid and service providers, Sonus, joined the Amplifon USA family. Founded in 1993 in Portland, Oregon, Sonus augmented the organization with company-owned clinics in the U.S. and Canada, as well as a network of affiliated members.  Amplifon USA's growth continued in 2003 with the addition of National Hearing Centers, a hearing aid retailer. National Hearing Centers changed it name to Amplifon Hearing Aid Centers in 2006. Most of Amplifon Hearing Aid centers are located in Wal-Mart stores and Wal-Mart SuperCenters, providing Amplifon USA with access to the country's leading retail organization.  Together, these companies represent a major force to help tens of millions people in North America overcome their hearing loss, through a powerful combination of innovative products, superior customer service and convenient locations.  The main emphasis of this position is to grow hearing aid sales in the assigned territory.  The Regional Business Development Manager will accomplish this through multi-tiered responsibilities:· 45% Business Development: Working with new and existing franchisees in establishing and developing their sales strategy and revenue planning, as well as monitoring key performance indicators for each franchisee.  Works closely with Franchise Territory Sales Manager to source potential qualified new franchisees who could purchase unassigned or under-performing territories, or terminated franchisees.· 45% Operations: Conducts Operational Review (Franchise Audit) to understand the health of the businesses in assigned territory. Creates and monitors actions steps for corrective action. Recognizes and disseminates best practices information. · Administration:  Act as a liaison between Headquarters and Franchisees; Drives the coordination of management solutions for the franchise business needs Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Business Development: Serve as primary contact for franchise accounts within their territories. Develop and implement action plans toward resolution of unsatisfactory franchisee performance to meet company strategic objectives. Identify and develop alternative scenarios for headquarters when a distressed franchise has been identified including assistance in sourcing prospective franchisee candidates which could qualify for purchasing the territory. Assist franchisees in the initial research and development of new office locations within their franchise territories. Suggest programs to headquarters to support ASP growth and sales initiatives.· Assist in development of all new territories whether acquired via transfer from franchise or expansion. Provide hearing aid sales and business analysis support to all franchisees in assigned territory· Suggest and help structure consultant motivational activities and sales contests where necessary with assigned franchisees.· Assist Franchisees in the search for new appropriate office locations based on demographic information.· Become familiar with retail competitors in the territory in order to have ready sources of new potential franchisees. · Serve as secondary trainers for product and sales training. · Inform Sr. Director of Franchise operations of under-penetrating territories in order to coordinate the process of finding alternatives.  Operations: · Perform Compliance Audits / Operational Reviews.  Meet on a regular basis with all assigned franchisees for assessment, planning and corrective action development based upon in-depth understanding  of their key performance indicators; i.e. Sales, Staffing, Training, Territory Penetration, Marketing & Advertising, Profitability, Operational Programs, Technical Status  (both IT and Product) and if applicable host location relationship. In the case of IT and Product, serve as liaison to Professional Development Department as necessary. · Assist in the deployment of and ensure correct use of any new POS software. Instruct and assist franchisees in the preparation and tracking of business plans. Utilize both company and franchisee data to monitor franchise performance to plan.· Serve as consultant to franchisees on fundamental business issues including accounting, AP, AR recruitment and promotion.· Interpret and ensure compliance with practices, policies, programs and initiatives by the franchise organization.· Work with Sears management to resolve issues within host retail stores.· Works closely with Franchise Operations Team related to operational activities within assigned region and in developing resources, programs, or materials to support field operations.· Review franchise agreement compliance and initiate corrective action for agreement violations. · Recognize and disseminate information of any and all best practices which would help the Franchise system collectively in reaching higher sales productivity or operational efficiency. General Administration: · Adhere to budget and monitor travel expenses.· Understand and follow all company and regulatory policies and practices.· Promote and work well in a team environment with the goal of creating exceptional service and tools through cooperative efforts.  · Other duties as assigned or as required to meet customer or business needs. Supervisory Responsibilities:None Education and Experience Requirements:· Must have 2+ years retail management experience.· Must have a Business, Accounting or Finance Degree or equivalent Business Management experience.· Experience within the Hearing Health Care Industry preferred.· Must have experience in profitability and sales potential analysis of franchisees.· Multi-Franchise Experience is preferred. Required Skills: · Must be able to communicate effectively with all types of people. · Must be a problem solver and be able to creatively recommend suggested solutions to franchisebusiness performance issues.· Must be comfortable and effective with analyzing business and financial situations, and reports. · Must be able to handle stressful situations i.e., working with a Franchisee who is financially stressed and may have to be convinced that they have to sell their business.· Must be detail oriented.· Must understand the legal aspects of representing a franchise sale.· Must be personable, ethical, have a spotless work record in terms of financial dealings in the past. · Proficient in Microsoft Office as well as Internet. Physical/Mental Demands: Approximately 80%- 90% travel  Company: Amplifon USA Location: Plymouth, MN Status: Full Time, Employee Relevant Work Experience: 5+ to 7 Years Learn more about us