Company Overview: Mead Lumber Company is a leading provider of products for professional contractors, builders, and remodelers. With 50+ operating locations across nine Midwestern states, we are proud to be 100% employee-owned and ranked as the 12th largest building material supplier to professional builders in the U.S. At Mead Lumber, we strive to create a team that works and succeeds together every day in an authentic, team-oriented setting.
Why Join Us?
- Employee Ownership: As a 100% employee-owned company, you will have a stake in our shared success.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible scheduling options that support your lifestyle.
- Career Growth: We are committed to your professional development, providing ongoing learning and advancement opportunities.
Job Summary: The Retail Sales Champion is responsible for driving sales performance, merchandising excellence, and category expertise across key hardware departments of all locations. This position plays a vital role in growing retail and contractor sales through strong product knowledge, vendor relationships, and continuous training of associates. The Retail Sales Champion will also collaborate with outside sales, purchasing, and marketing teams to maximize profitability and promote Mead Lumber’s core product categories.
Pay for this Role: $23.00 - $28.00 per hour depending on experience.
Key Responsibilities:
Merchandising & Inventory Management
- Lead merchandising of aisles, endcaps, and displays to enhance sales and visual appeal.
- Order and receive weekly hardware replenishment from the warehouse.
- Work collaboratively with other Retail Sales Champions, the corporate hardware purchasing team, and Orgill to plan and participate in show buys and promotional opportunities that maximize company-wide margin gains and buying power.
- Maintain accurate inventory counts; identify and resolve UPC, pricing, and quantity-on-hand issues.
- Update pricing through vendor communication and assist in maintaining competitive price points.
- Perform regular category walk-throughs to ensure planogram compliance and signage accuracy.
- Support consistent buying practices across branches by participating in coordinated purchasing efforts and leveraging company-level reporting to identify collective buying opportunities.
Sales & Customer Engagement
- Promote and grow sales of key categories such as paint, plumbing, tools, and electrical supplies to contractors and retail customers.
- Dedicate 2–3 hours per week to direct sales calls or visits with key and target customers in assigned categories.
- Collaborate with outside sales staff, other Retail Sales Champions, and regional teams to identify opportunities for cross-selling, inventory alignment, and shared customer growth strategies.
- Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships in alignment with company purchasing strategies to ensure consistent pricing, shared promotional opportunities, and effective communication through approved channels.
- Track and analyze sales trends to identify growth opportunities and improve category performance.
Training & Product Expertise
- Conduct ongoing training for store associates on hardware-related items and sales techniques.
- Participate in monthly continuing education sessions focused on category updates, vendor programs, and new product introductions.
- Serve as the in-store subject matter expert for assigned categories (e.g., Milwaukee Tools, Paint, Plumbing).
- Mentor and support new retail associates in developing product knowledge and customer service skills.
E-Commerce & Marketing Support
- Manage e-commerce transactions and ensure accurate online listings and pricing.
- Partner closely with corporate hardware purchasing, Orgill, and marketing teams to coordinate promotions, group show buys, and best practices across all locations.
- Support store-level execution of marketing campaigns, vendor promotions, and seasonal resets.
Collaboration & Communication
- Work with other Retail Sales Champions regionally to share ideas and strategies that improve performance.
- Communicate regularly with vendors, purchasing, and branch management regarding category trends and opportunities.
Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Qualifications:
- High School diploma or GED required.
- Two or more years of retail sales experience, preferably in hardware, building materials, or related trades.
- Experience in merchandising, inventory management, or vendor relations preferred.
- General knowledge of retail products and categories.
- Ability to listen to a customer’s needs and formulate appropriate solutions.
- Ability to operate a register, computer, and calculator.
- A commitment to Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction.
- Ability to work efficiently, promptly, and accurately.
- Ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Will require travel with valid ID or Passport.
Once eligible, you will participate in our ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), a unique benefit that can provide a financial source for your future/retirement that very few companies offer. We also offer our employees competitive pay as well as the benefits listed below:
Additional Benefits Include:
Equal Employment Opportunity: Mead Lumber Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, pregnancy, marital status, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, or any other protected basis prohibited by law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
